GOIANIA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) — On Thursday, the second window for Group B of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers will commence. Brazil, leaders of this zone, will host Colombia at Goiânia Arena, while Chile will face Venezuela at Domo Bolivariano, in the city of Barquisimeto.

For Group B, the squad coached by Aleksandar Petrović, have had two victories (86-73 against Chile and 72-60 against Venezuela). Leandrinho Barbosa will be back this time to play alongside Anderson Varejão. The last time they played together was at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014.

“I'm very happy to be able to count on Leandrinho again. He and Varejão may help us very much. We hope to have two good games and continue to do well in the collective game.”Aleksandar PetrovićAleksandar Petrović

Meanwhile, Colombia, coached by Guillermo Moreno, traveled with 12 players to Brazilian territory to seek their first triumph in this round, since they are the only team that have yet to win in this zone (69-74 against Chile and 71-85 against Venezuela).

“Now we must win these two games to have the chance of continuing forward or going to Chile to play for our dear lives in the last qualifying stage,” said the coach who will lead his team in a match as visitors, and on Sunday on a game as locals in front of their public at Estadio Iván De Bedout.

For their part, Chile, coached by Claudio Jorquera, arrive with a 1-1 record after losing against Brazil (73-86) and defeating Colombia (74-69), and without Pablo Coro Quitral.

Point Guard Erik Carrasco talked before the encounter about the red jerseys’ preparation: “The team is good. We left a very good impression last year and we're working on that, on repeating good performances. We're motivated.” And he talked about Pablo Coro’s absence: “It’s a very respectable decision. If we had known before, we could’ve replaced him.”

The Chilean coach pronounced: “We know that playing as visitors will be tough. We believe we're in a position of equals with Venezuela and that allows us to dream with our sought for qualification. We will suffer (because of Coro’s leave), but that won't be an obstacle to us doing our job.”

Chile will play the two games of the second window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers as visitors and will face Venezuela on Thursday, and Brazil on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Venezuelan team —coached by Argentine Fernando Duró— were only able to win Colombia in the first date of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers.

On the list there are a total of four players that will use the Venezuela National Team jersey for the first time in an official event. They are José Bracho, Yohanner Sifontes, Júnior Martínez and José Ascanio. Luis Carrillo, who debuted on last year’s FIBA AmeriCup and point guard Gregory Vargas, are the new additions to this second qualifying stage.

“All of the players that were summoned have given their 100% these days, and let's not forget the staff. We had seven young men that were called for the first time with the objective of having them live the experience of being in a National Team, and their performance was positive. Four days are not enough, but we have the advantage of having advanced something in the first window. Plus, what we've been able to do with the Guaros de Lara base is also considered,” said Duró in a press conference.

Venezuela will play their first games as locals at Domo Bolivariano in Barquisimeto and on Sunday will visit Colombia for their second game.

Group B Schedule:

Venezuela vs. Chile 02/22/18 – Barquisimeto Domo Bolivariano, Venezuela
Brazil vs. Colombia 02/22/18 – Goiânia Arena, Brazil
Brazil vs. Chile 02/25/18 - Goiânia Arena, Brazil
Colombia vs. Venezuela 02/25/18 – Estadio Iván De Bedout, Colombia

FIBA