BRUSSELS (FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers) – Even though Belgium head coach Eddy Casteels had included Sam Van Rossom in the preliminary squad for the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers, he always knew that the participation of the veteran point guard in this summer's campaign was a long shot.

Van Rossom, who was sidelined during the biggest part of last season because of injuries, announced at the weekend in a statement released by the Belgian federation that he is still undergoing rehabilitation and will be unable to help the Belgian Lions' cause this year. "I still have not had any true basketball training," said the Valencia Basket playmaker.

"It is therefore with pain in my heart that I'm forced to withdraw from this EuroBasket qualifying campaign. I hope that my team-mates will open the door to a fourth consecutive EuroBasket appearance and next year, I definitely want to shine with the Lions at the tournament. Now I hope to make my comeback in early October in the Spanish league and be able to celebrate it in Valencia."

Belgium however have reasons to feel very upbeat about their chances this summer. On Saturday, Casteels coached a national team made up exclusively of players up to 23 years of age in the Belgian Lions' first warm-up game this summer, on the road against FIBA EuroBasket 2017 co-hosts Finland.

Despite the fact no member of the squad had any prior experience of a major tournament with the senior national team, Belgium stayed close to their hosts throughout, albeit they ultimately fell 77-71. Forward Hans Vanwijn and center Ismael Bako, both members of Belgium's U20 team last summer, finished with 19 and 16 points, respectively.

Belgium depart on Tuesday for Ljubjana and have decided to include several youngsters in the 14-man squad that will take part in an international friendly tournament next weekend, together with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Portugal and hosts Slovenia.

"Axel Hervelle and Amaury Gorgemans who are nursing injuries, Quentin Serron who is awaiting his first child and Manu Lecomte who is still in the US for academic obligations, will not be coming along," explained Belgian Lions' sporting manager Jacques Stas.

"It is our pleasure however to have four 'Young Lions' in Bako, (Loic) Schwartz, (Dorian) Marchant, Vanwijn on the squad. They have successfully completed a summer preparation programme with the game in Finland. This is a great success and all the work we have put in the Young Lions is already showing interesting results."

The Belgian Lions were drawn in Group A, together with Cyprus, Iceland and Switzerland and play their opener at home against the Cypriot side on 31 August.

FIBA