GUANGZHOU (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) - Team chemistry and continuity of the national team program will be a strength for Poland in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers, says head coach Mike Taylor.

Although the absence of Marcin Gortat, who retired from international play after FIBA EuroBasket 2015, has brought about some challenges, the Polish side have already turned a new page in life without their superstar.

"Having a core that has been together for several years will work in our advantage." Mike TaylorMike Taylor

Taylor, who has been in charge of the national team since 2014, has kept the rest of the team's core intact and believes this could prove to be a game-changing factor in FIBA's New Competition System and Calendar due to years of purposeful work.

In the draw of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers in Guangzhou, Yi Jianlian's hands placed Poland in Group C alongside neighboring Lithuania and close at hand Hungary.

The last remaining spot in the group will be allocated to one of the second-placed teams from the Pre-Qualifiers to be held in August.

"I think we have a realistic shot of advancing. But the Qualifiers will be held in a new format and there are still a lot of unknowns," Taylor told Polish sports newspaper Przeglad Sportowy. "It is not yet known who will join the group from the Pre-Qualifiers. It may be a strong team like Bosnia and Herzegovina. This could change the situation a little bit."

However, the coach, who has been at the helm of the national team program since 2014, claims that he remains confident about his team's chances of advancing past the First Round of the Qualifiers.

"With only 2-3 days to train before the games during the international windows, having a core that has been together for several years will work in our advantage," he explained. "For now, however, we're 100% focused on FIBA EuroBasket 2017 which will take place this summer."

Polish basketball fans will get a sneak peek preview of their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers quite early in the summer, with games against Lithuania and Hungary being part of their preparations for the upcoming EuroBasket campaign.

After the conclusion of the continental championship, teams will shift their focus to the FIBA World Cup 2019 Qualifiers set to begin worldwide in November.

FIBA