OLDENBURG (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Iceland have been one of the recent surprises in European basketball, reaching two straight FIBA EuroBaskets with their great fan support.

Rasid Mahalbasic sees no reason why Austria couldn't become the next Iceland, starting with a couple of surprises in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers.

The Austrians last played at a FIBA EuroBasket in 1977 and never qualified for a World Cup. However, they played tough in the EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers and advanced from the European Pre-Qualifiers to be among the 32 national sides battling for the 12 World Cup slots on offer in Europe.

And, as they prepare to tip off their qualifying campaign at Serbia on Friday, the central Europeans have an example in mind, a team they want to emulate - Iceland.

"When you think about Iceland, everybody talks about a surprise. It's not a big country with NBA prospects. But they're just a solid team who fight together and they succeeded," Mahalbasic said. "A lot of people say it's a surprise but they earned it and I believe if Iceland can do it, we can do it as well."

Mahalbasic and his Austrian teammates face a tough challenge in Group G with Georgia, Germany and Serbia, opening the campaign on November 24 in Belgrade against a Serbian team that finished second at FIBA EuroBasket 2017, Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament 2016 and the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014.

"The first game will be special because we've never had such a big opponent and of course we go into the game as big underdogs," Mahalbasic said. "But I think with the new system of FIBA qualification that FIBA came one step closer to the little countries to help them a little bit, especially with no NBA players."

"Even if the D team from Serbia comes, it will still be a tough game, but at least now we have a realistic chance to at least compete against them. I don't think we will beat them, but at least we get to compete and have a good game."

Austria's second game will be on Monday at home in Schwechat against neighbors Germany - a team they have challenged in the past, including in a 61-59 loss in Schwechat in the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers.

"GERMANY AND AUSTRIA HAVE A NICE RIVALRY BETWEEN NEIGHBORS. WE'VE PLAYED THEM MANY TIMES AND IT WAS ALWAYS CLOSE. SADLY WE'VE NEVER BEATEN THEM, BUT THIS IS A REALISTIC CHANCE TO HOPE FOR A SURPRISE WIN." MahalbasicMahalbasic

"This will be a very nice atmosphere. Germany and Austria have a nice rivalry between neighbors. We've played them many times and it was always close. Sadly, we've never beaten them, but this is a realistic chance to hope for a surprise win," Mahalbasic warned.

In the Pre-Qualiers, Austria went 3-1 with just one loss at home versus Netherlands but a road victory against the Dutch.

"It was more or less successful. We made the next step," said the 6ft 11in (2.13m) big man who averaged 17.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists over the course of the four games. "The biggest surprise is that from year to year we are getting closer and closer as a team. And now we are ready for our first big success. I would have nothing against it happening in the next three windows."

"THE BIGGEST SURPRISE IS THAT FROM YEAR TO YEAR WE ARE GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER AS A TEAM. AND NOW WE ARE READY FOR OUR FIRST BIG SUCCESS. I WOULD HAVE NOTHING AGAINST IT HAPPENING IN THE NEXT THREE WINDOWS." MahalbasicMahalbasic

Mahalbasic really looks forward to experiencing FIBA's New Competition System with the fans.

"I think it's bringing the people close who are around basketball following their teams. This is a little break to see the national team. Clubs start in October and end in May and then fans go on vacation and don't think about basketball until the new season starts. And now they have this in between," said the 27-year-old.

"If Germany were to play in Oldenburg I would imagine that 80 percent of the fans would be Oldenburg fans and they would really enjoy seeing the national team. So I think it's bringing basketball closer to the people and the fans."

For Mahalbasic, it's all about maybe getting enough surprises to keep their dream alive of China 2019.

"Maybe it's a little strange to say but we would be happy to be third and go to the next round of the Qualifiers. It would be great to be in the next window next year. I think it's possible with a little bit of luck to surprise one of these teams."

Get those surprises and be the next Iceland.

FIBA