NYMBURK (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) - Czech Republic coach Neno Ginzburg says the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers are going to be a big hit in the country and expects larger crowds for national team games.

The Czechs will play in the First Round, in Group F, in the November (2017), February and June (both 2018) windows with Iceland, Finland and a team that comes out of the Pre-Qualifiers.

If they end up in the top three, in the next three windows they will face the best three sides from a Group E that includes Belgium, France, Russia and another team that emerges from the Pre-Qualifiers.

The Czechs will hope to be among the 12 European sides to clinch a spot in the expanded 32-team World Cup to be staged in China.

Ginzburg explained what stands out the most for him from FIBA's New Competition System.

"During the summer, people are on vacation but with the games during the year, it's basketball season and it will be a nice atmosphere because more fans will be able to watch," he said to FIBA.com.

He also likes the fact that the players will not have to go into a big training camp before the games.

"With the Qualifiers coming during the season, players will come in good shape from their teams," he said. "And the players that will be in the national team in the summer for FIBA EuroBasket, that will also help them. They'll still be in a (national team) rhythm for the Qualifiers."

The Czechs avoided clear heavyweights in the opening round of the World Cup Qualifiers, although the Finns and Iceland are sure to be tough opponents. Finland have played at every FIBA EuroBasket since 2011 and also participated in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup while Iceland have been moving from strength to strength ever since they played at a EuroBasket for the first time in 2015.

"I think it's a good draw and gives a good chance to the national team," Ginzburg said. "I think we have to be satisfied."

Ginzburg was at the helm of a Czech team that had arguably its greatest tournament at FIBA EuroBasket 2015. They knocked off Ukraine and Croatia - two sides that had played at the last World Cup.

When the Czechs stunned Croatia in the Round of 16 and later beat Latvia in the battle for seventh place, they clinched a spot in one of last summer's three FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs). They also punched their ticket for both FIBA EuroBasket 2017 and the World Cup Qualifiers.

So who is going to be one of the new faces of Czech basketball? Ginzburg says it could be Tomas Kyzlink, a shooting guard that had a terrific season in the Basketball Champions League with Helios Suns and also shone after moving to the French Pro B in March and helping Bourg-en-Bresse win promotion.Kyzlink excelled with Helios Suns before moving to Bourg-en-Bresse

Kyzlink, who turns 24 in June, was in the training camp before last summer's OQT but did not make the final cut yet he has a shot at making the Czech team for FIBA EuroBasket 2017.

"Tomas Kyzlink is a new face and can develop into a good player," Ginzburg said. "He's improving well."

It's possible I will coach the World Cup Qualifiers but we'll be in contact after the EuroBasket and talk about this.Ginzburg

The Czechs will play in Group C, in Cluj-Napoca, against Spain, Croatia, Hungary, Montenegro and Romania.

"I think it's an equal group," the coach said. "Spain is great, Croatia are very strong even though we beat them last time. But if everyone is in our team and shows up, we can compete with the other teams. Romania are the hosts and basketball is going forward there so they will be tough."

While Ginzburg's focus right now on the Czech league and leading club side Nymburk, he hopes, to another domestic crown (he will coach them against Decin in the Finals), the play-caller will soon enough switch gears to the national side.

"I'll have a break of a month after the Czech Finals," he said of the chance to recharge his batteries before coaching the national side. "It's always good to work. I'm not complaining."

Ginzburg doesn't know if he'll be the one holding the reins during the World Cup Qualifiers since his contract runs out after the EuroBasket.

Neither he, nor the federation, have ruled out the possibility.

"It's possible I will coach the World Cup Qualifiers but we'll be in contact after FIBA EuroBasket and talk about this," Ginzburg said.

FIBA