Germany forward Ademola Okulaja admits his country's main aim for the 2007 EuroBasket will be to qualify for the 2008 Olympics.

Although the team will be trying for the title in Spain, qualifying for the showpiece in Beijing would be a big boost for the national team.

He told www.basketball-bund.de: "Our first goal is definitely qualifying for the 2008 Olympic Games and we should accomplish that as quickly as possible.

"The second goal is the title.

"We've been working hard at this for a while. I would love a title."

		“	We are surely at this time, one of the strongest German national teams	„
		Ademola Okulaja

Okulaja said he plans on scoring and rebounding when needed in Spain as well as trying to defend the opposing team's top offensive player.

"Our team is very team-orientated. Nobody takes center stage for themselves - everybody fulfils their duties."

The 31-year-old also addressed Germany's expected struggles when the current national team veterans - Dirk Nowitzki, Patrick Femerling and himself - step down.

"I don't really see any player in Germany at this time who can play at the level of a Mithat Demirel or Dirk Nowitzki.

"That can still come, and we will still be playing in this competition for a
while. But we are surely at this time, one of the strongest German national teams."

Okulaja also said that he believed Russia's foreigners rule has hindered his ability to help club side Khimki Moscow.

"Unfortunately, I'm not playing a lot. But when I can, I play well," he said.

The Russian league requires that teams always have two Russian players on the court at one time and only allows five foreigners on the game roster.

Khimki has two regular foreign centers - Maciej Lampe and Vladimir Veremeneeko - as well as two American guards - Melvin Booker and Kelly McCarty - who are always on the roster.

"That leaves just one foreigner spot, for which I'm competing with three other players - so my biggest hurdle is the roster," said Okulaja, who has only played in 12 of 22 league games.

He said it was too early however to say if he would leave the club when his contract runs out in the summer.

He finished: "I like the club very much, everything is very professional.

"Just the fact that I'm not playing as much as I'd like troubles me.

"On the other hand, you could say looking at the EuroBasket that I'm more rested than many other players."

Germany play Czech Republic, Turkey and Lithuania in Group C of the 2007 EuroBasket.