Capelli: No easy opponents for Uruguay at FIBA Americas Championship

MONTEVIDEO (2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - How sweet would it be for the movers and shakers in Uruguayan basketball if their national team reached the podium of the FIBA Americas Championship in 2015, the year that has marked the centenary of the country's hoops federation?

The players and coach, Adrian Capelli, know full well what the hurdles are going to be with several other sides in the region gearing up for the competition that serves as a qualifying event for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

The two countries that reach the Final will clinch their spots in Brazil, while the teams that come in third, fourth and fifth will take up spots in the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Uruguay appear to be in the easier of the two opening round pools, Group A, with Brazil, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Panama.

Even if they advance to the next stage as one of the top four sides, they will face formidable opposition as Canada, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Cuba are in Group B.

I believe that in a FIBA Americas Championship, all the games are very difficult - Capelli

"There are no easy opponents," Capelli said.

"...This championship is hard."

Despite having not reached the podium since 1984, when they finished runners-up to Brazil, Uruguay should know that anything is possible.

In 2013, Mexico pulled off a huge shock when they won the title.

"There are few spots to qualify [for the Olympics] and we have to prepare in the best way possible and take the best national team," Capelli said.

"[It's necessary] that everyone wants to be in the national team."

It would be a tremendous asset, for example, to have Unicaja Malaga guard Jayson Granger in the line-up.

Granger is one of the best playmakers in Spain and has a couple of seasons in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague under his belt.

The last time Granger played for Uruguay, however, was at the 2012 South American Championship.

Uruguay have another important player in the Euroleague in Esteban Batista of Panathinaikos.

The 2.08m center is averaging almost 11 points and more than seven rebounds per game in the Top 16.

FIBA