BUCHAREST (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - Romania's players won't set foot on the hardwood to start preparing for their FIBA EuroBasket campaign until next week but there is already a celebratory feeling in the air.

Players like Adrian Gutoaia and Andrei Mandache will for the first time in their careers play in the old continent's flagship event and they're planning on making the most of the opportunity.

"I'm excited," Gutoaia said to FIBA.com. "It's a great feeling because I played at most of the levels as a junior and I know that Romania hasn't played at the EuroBasket for many years. I don't know what to expect but I do know that it's going to be very exciting."

"This is the high point of my career," the 29-year-old Mandache said. "I've been going to the national team for the past 13 years and I'm prepared for this.

Mandache is fired up to play at a FIBA EuroBasket for the first time

"We were very close two years ago in qualifying (for FIBA EuroBasket 2015) and were in a decisive game against Latvia in our house. I think the fact that that we are a host nation is a reward for all the hard work that we've put in for the past 10 years. It's a good present for us."

Romania are hosting Group C in Cluj-Napoca and will take on European heavyweights Spain and Croatia, two sides that were at the Olympics last year. They will also go up against the Czech Republic, Hungary and Montenegro.

There is an unpredictability factor at tournaments like the FIBA EuroBasket that have to be taken into account. There are favorites and there are underdogs but games have to be played on the court.

"It's up to us to have them support as hard as they can. If they see us working and doing our best, they'll be right behind us.GutoaiaGutoaia

Anything can happen, even for a country like Romania that last participated in a FIBA EuroBasket in 1987.

"I wasn't born the last time we were at a European Championship," said the 27-year-old Gutoaia, a 1.98m center. "I can only imagine what it's going to be like.

"In my opinion, being away from this big stage for so long, it's a minus but it's also a plus. We have a fresh start to give a good image of basketball in Romania. We'll try to show consistency.

"We saw Iceland last time and how they gave teams a run for their money (at EuroBasket 2015 in Berlin). I liked what they did, and they had not been to a EuroBasket. We want to put ourselves on the map and to make an impact."

Gutoaia is a player Group C opponents will have to pay attention to

Fans love a side that wins, but even more important for them is to see effort. For that reason, Gutoaia says being at home will be an advantage because he and his teammates are going to give everything they've got.

"Yes, I think they'll give us life," he said. "The importance of the tournament is very big so it will attract a lot of people. The last time we had Qualifiers, it was really wild. The popularity of basketball in Romania has grown and the teams that have played in European competition has helped. They'll support us all the way.

"It's up to us to have them support as hard as they can. If they see us working and doing our best, they'll be right behind us.

"We're going to be a united group and do everything we can, that will resonate with the fans and they will support us."

FIBA