BELGRADE (EuroBasket 2009) - Igor Rakocevic would welcome the opportunity to play for Serbia this summer at EuroBasket 2009 but his return to the national team is uncertain.

Serbia coach Dusan Ivkovic and national team manager Miroslav Beric met with Rakocevic after TAU’s narrow triumph over Barcelona last week.

Rakocevic, who last represented Serbia at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan, told the Serbia daily Novosti: “I was impressed with coach Ivkovic.

“In fact, I'm overjoyed by his enthusiasm, his wish to do something good with our basketball. He wants to put our basketball team back to where it belongs, and the training camp will start on July 13.”

Rakocevic stopped well short of committing to Serbia, however.

"Ivkovic didn't ask me to respond (to his call) immediately,” he said.

“Generally speaking, I want to play for the national team again, but my final decision will depend on when I finish my season.

“If we (TAU) go on to play five games in the ACB Finals, my season will finish on June 18 so I'm afraid that just 25 days of rest won't be enough for me.

"I'm 31 years old and each year my body needs more time to recover. On the other hand, it is very important for me where I’m going to play next season.

“I have to know when the preparation for that starts, will I have at least seven days after FIBA European Championship … ”

“For me, it's crucial to have good rest and to define my future.”

Serbia will face Spain, Slovenia and Great Britain in the Preliminary Round of the EuroBasket. The Blues’ primary aim will be to qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

FIBA