RIO DE JANEIRO (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) - Anderson Varejão has been a key factor for Brazil in the Americas Qualifiers but just as important to the team's success has been the turnout and support of fans, which reached a new level last month.

The star big man has revelled in these Qualifiers that will determine the teams participating in the first-ever 32-team World Cup. And he expressed his full appreciation for the opportunity the Road to China 2019 presents him to play regular official national team games in front of the home fans.

"I LIKE THE WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS VERY MUCH BECAUSE I LEFT BRAZIL WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG AND SO I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO PLAY HERE MUCH. NOW, EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED AND WE CAN PLAY MANY TIMES IN BRAZIL" VarejaoVarejao

During the February window, the Brazilians registered convincing home wins over Brazil (84-49) and Chile (83-58) in Goiania, a city without a professional club team. That fact didn't prove to be a deterrent as fans turned up in their thousands to set a new attendance record for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers, with more than 20,000 spectators on hand to witness, enjoy and celebrate the pair of Brazilian victories.

Thanks to these results, the team coached by Aleksander Petrović tops Group B with a perfect 4-0 mark and is among the 22 teams across the world to have secured a place in the Second Round.

Varejão, who is leading the team with 13.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists through the first two windows on the Road to China 2019, spoke to FIBA.basketball.

More than 10,550 fans were present in Goiania Arena to watch the Brazil-Chile game. How would you describe the environment?
That game was spectacular. To have a full stadium was a very special thing and very good for Brazil, basketball and all the players. People are coming to the games and it's helping us because they're the sixth player on the court. This has been very good for us and surely it will be something that we'll remember for a long time.

How are Brazilian fans enjoying the national team's games?
They love these games. I think the New Qualifying System for the FIBA Basketball World Cup is something special for fans and for us [players] as well. Fans live basketball to the fullest in Brazil and playing games in the country leads to the increase of fans of the sport - which is important for us all.

What is your own take on the new system?
I like it very much because I left Brazil when I was very young and so I haven't been able to play here much. I played professionally for a year or two and then I left for Barcelona and the United States. When I would go back, I would play a friendly with the national team but that wasn’t enough. Now, everything has changed and we can play many times in Brazil. I like that very much because that gives me the opportunity of playing in front of my people, and that's something that creates energy and excitement.

"I THINK THE NEW  QUALIFYING SYSTEM FOR THE FIBA BASKETBALL WORLD CUP IS SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR THE FANS AND FOR US [PLAYERS] AS WELL. FANS LIVE BASKETBALL TO THE FULLEST IN BRAZIL AND PLAYING GAMES IN THE COUNTRY LEADS TO THE INCREASE OF FANS OF OUR SPORT - WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR US ALL" Varejao Varejao

In Goiania you added important victories against Chile and Colombia. What was the key?
In these games we displayed patience and tranquillity. We had a great first quarter in both games and we kept calm to play how coach Petrović asked us to play. At the end, we did everything well. That tranquillity of knowing that we could decide the game in any moment was very important. But the greatest key was that our defense was much stronger and we were focused. Of course, having 10,550 fans supporting us helped us quite a lot.

In the June-July window, you will play away at Colombia and Venezuela. How will the Brazilian team face these challenges?
We know these will be two difficult games because we'll be away from home. Colombia played very well here in Brazil, mainly in the first half. So we know that we have to go to Colombia with a good team and play strong to take the victory. Regarding Venezuela, we know that in recent years they have got important results and are playing very well. Defeating them in Venezuela won't be easy. The most important thing will be to respect the tactical system, play good defense, go strong on offense and keep calm if things don't go well because Venezuela are a very dangerous team.

FIBA