With 90 days until the ‘Giant Get Together’ in Turkey. Coaches are naming their preliminary squads in consideration for the World Championships, which starts on August 28th.
Brazil have named two different squads in the run-in to Turkey, with 24 players being listed – the first group will meet on June 1st to prepare for the South American Championship. The second squad will meet on June 19th, and this group contains the more established players, such as: Anderson Verejao, Leandro Barbosa, Nene and Marcelo Machado. The stand-out players from the first squad will join the second squad and travel to Turkey.
Brazil will play in Group B in Istanbul – alongside: USA, Croatia, Slovenia, Tunisia and Iran. The full squad is listed on the FIBA World Championship website.
Spain guard, Jose Manuel Calderon is raring to go this summer. He missed Spain’s EuroBasket triumph in Poland, but cheered from the sidelines as they hammered Serbia in the final game in Katowice, while he was recovering from injuries following a long season with the Toronto Raptors.
Calderon was part of the 2006 World Championship winning team in Japan – and hopes to repeat that feat this year in Turkey. Spain will start their defence in Izmir in Group D. Where they will square off against: New Zealand, Lithuania, Lebanon, Canada and France.
“We are going to the World Championship in Turkey with a special motivation,” Calderon commented.
“It seems as though we have more pressure but it’s on the contrary because I think it must be something impressive.
“I am going to Turkey with a lot of enthusiasm.
“We are going to the World Championship in Turkey with a special motivation,” Calderon commented.
Staying with Group D and France will play a one-off exhibition game against the United States in New York City on the 15th August. Just under two weeks before the World Championship begins.
The game will take place at the world famous, Madison Square Garden, and it will be the first time these two nations clash on American soil, since the 1984 Olympic Games – which were held in Los Angeles. Before they clash with the U.S.A, The French will travel to Toronto, Canada to play two games with fellow Group D opponents, Canada, on the 12th and 13th of August.
The hosts, Turkey are looking forward to the World Championships, and now have Toronto Raptors star, Hidayet Turkoglu back in the country, as he prepares for training camp.
“I plan on training to be in good shape. I believe that this summer will be really important for the team and, of course, for the country. As the team’s captain, I know my responsibilities but I don’t have any concerns about it,” the 31-year-old said
“From now on, I’ll try to have a good vacation and make myself feel confident about the training camp and the championship.”
Turkey will be in Group C in Ankara, where they will clash with: China, Ivory Coast, Puerto Rico, Greece and Russia – in what most people are already calling this the “Group of Death.”
John Hobbs for Talkbasket.net
