HAMBURG (Germany) - This summer, Poland will make their first appearance at a FIBA Basketball World Cup in 52 years  and it will definitely be a memorable occasion.

That much was assured on Saturday when, at the draw in Shenzhen, the Poles landed in Group A with hosts China, along with Venezuela and Cote d'Ivoire.

Poland coach Mike Taylor, who also coaches Hamburg in Germany, spoke to FIBA.basketball. 

Did you watch the draw?
We had a shoot-around here (in Hamburg) and right after I got online quickly and watched it live. Obviously I was really happy with it. We're so excited to take part (in the World Cup) for the first time in 52 years. It's a great accomplishment for Polish basketball. Then to have a good draw that you feel is really competitive,  it means everyone is really excited and happy.

After opening against Venezuela, you will face hosts China on September 2.
The one thing about the World Cup is that it's a big stage. Polish basketball hasn't been on the big stage in over five decades. Any time you play on the host country's home court, it's a big advantage for them. We're happy to be in Beijing, it will definitely be a big crowd, lots of attention so we know that will be a big challenge but that's what this is all about. We love to be on the big stage and be in that situation. We'll prepare as best we can.

The four teams in Group A have four different styles of play.
What really struck me (about the draw) was the fantastic thing about basketball being a global sport and playing opponents from all over the globe. (Playing against) China, the host team, that will be a challenge. Venezuela is a team with a lot of heart, a lot of grit that is a proven, battled tested team after the last few campaigns. And even what Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire) did with the last run to reach the World Cup. For me, the chance to play against different teams and different styles is something special.

The game against China will be extra special, no doubt?
The thing that's interesting about China is, since they had a ticket to the World Cup as the host, they played with basically two teams in the Asian Qualifiers. They had more than 40 players registered playing and had markedly different teams in qualifying. This is interesting to prepare for. Basically, it will keep us guessing to see how it will look. And the comeback by Ivory Coast, they had to win by 26 points (the last Qualifier) and to come back and do that, that was a great result for them.

China and Venezuela played at the Rio Games a few years ago. How does that experience factor worry you?
This is our first time on the big stage so some others have the advantage and that experience goes a long way. We're new, we have to respect every single opponent, be prepared to be at our best every single game. The fact that every team has made it this far, I know the other regions had to be just as competitive. Everyone has had a great accomplishment. At any time it's just about who that hot team is and gets on that run.

Captain Adam Waczynski helped Poland end a 52-year drought with their World Cup qualification

Every game matters since results carry over from the First Round to the Second Round of the Group Phase.
That's the really interesting thing about the whole World Cup setup. It's going to be a tremendous competition with high intensity. As the games go, you have to be at your best but then you have to have a short memory and be ready for the next game. It's a great new challenge and I'm so proud our guys are going through it together. I don't want to get ahead of ourselves but we'll definitely be aware of all the possessions, all the results and all the plays. We'll just try to do our best every single game.

What's the goal?
It's still early in organizing our preparations. For me, (the goal) is to be our best when it matters the most, represent Polish basketball the best we can. I've always said pressure comes when you're not prepared. When you're prepared, you have a great opportunity. These games represent a great opportunity for us and I've got a lot of belief and confidence in our guys.

"FIVE OF THE TOP EIGHT TEAMS ARE FROM EUROPE AND WE'VE PLAYED AGAINST THEM. WE KNOW WE CAN COMPETE WITH THE BEST AND TAKE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE FROM THAT."- Taylor

It's better for your prospects to be in the group you're in and to have avoided, for example, the USA in the First or Second Round.
I think some of these teams, if you draw the United States, then it becomes difficult for you and you have to change your viewpoint. But we're respecting all these opponents.

Is there a toughest group and are you glad to have avoided it?
Not so much, for us being new, it's a situation where you think you have a good group you can compete with. Everyone in Poland is glad to be back at the World Cup, it will be a lot of attention for Polish basketball. One thing I will say is that five of the top eight teams are from Europe and we've played against them. We know we can compete with the best and take a lot of confidence from that. 

The group you're in at the World Cup compared to the ones you were in at the last couple of FIBA EuroBaskets looks much better for Poland?
We want to stay in the present, not think about the past or the future. We'll draw confidence from those experiences, like Montpellier when we advanced. In 2017 we had a really challenging group and fell short but all of these experiences produced the toughness that allowed the team to win five straight (in the European Qualifiers). The big thing is to live in the present, be locked in and be ready to go.

A hostile arena against China won't be unusual for Poland, who have played the hosts at the last four EuroBaskets

Did it sink in during the draw that you were finally going to the World Cup?
It will probably sink in when we get to China. But the people in Poland are really excited about the future of the game there and I've gotten so many messages from friends.

How many warm-up games are you going to play?
We are tentatively scheduled for three tournaments.

FIBA