CLUJ (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) - Romania's players firmly believe that the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers tipping off in November are going to bring a positive change for the sport.

Romania will take on Italy, Croatia and a side that emerges from the World Cup European Pre-Qualifiers in the First Round with the November window to be followed by another in February and then a third that starts in late June.

Romania international Adrian Gutoaia likes the idea that players will already be in game shape when they show up for the national team windows.

"It's going to have a great impact," he said to FIBA.basketball. "It's really nice since the Qualifiers are during the season. It's cool, it's interesting, just like in soccer.

"You get those main players that are game ready. You don't have to have those long periods of training because they are already in the system. Everyone is well tooled. You just roll them out and play the games."Gutoaia is one of Romania's top players

Gutoaia also says the change will allow more fans to come to the Romania games.

"If the national team is playing in the summer, you might have people on vacation," he said. "And also, usually during the season, everyone just supports their clubs but now, everyone will come together to support the national team."

Now having the opportunity to play against top level teams in Europe for a place in the World Cup, it's a dream come true for everyone.Andrei MandacheAndrei Mandache

Another Romania star, Andrei Mandache, says the players are going to be better off with the new system.

"It's a better option for us to play during the season," he said. "I've been going to the national team for the past 13 years and it's tough being away from the family. I do agree with the new system and I think the fans will be right there with us and they can follow our progress during the season."
Mandache shone in the Basketball Champions League for Oradea

Romania's fans will also get to see some very good teams. Italy and Croatia have given international basketball a lot of exciting moments over the years. The two countries faced off last summer at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Turin and the game went to overtime.

"Now having the opportunity to play against top-level teams in Europe for a place in the World Cup, it's a dream come true for everyone," Mandache said. "We're more than happy to start this new season that FIBA is coming up with in November and February."

Gutoaia says he will only get better if he goes up against great players.

"It's a good opportunity," he said. "For me, personally, this is how I view basketball. If you want to see your top level, you have to play against the top level players, in Europe, the world - it doesn't matter. The way I see it I just want to go up against the top players that play the discipline I love."

Gutoaia also laughed and said: "I always wanted to be the dumbest guy in the smartest class. I want to push myself." 

Croatia will not be strangers because before the World Cup European Qualifiers, Romania will host Group C at FIBA EuroBasket 2017. They will take on Croatia, Spain, Montenegro, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

FIBA