BELGRADE (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments) – Janis Strelnieks is preparing for one of the biggest games in Latvian basketball history but that seems to have little effect on his phlegmatic demeanour.

"Luckily I haven't made any plans for August, so I won't have to cancel anything if we qualify for the Olympics." - Strelnieks

The Latvian point guard certainly looked to be assuming the challenge with a sense of humour and calmness when he spoke to FIBA.com in the lead up to Friday's semi-final clash between his team and Puerto Rico at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Belgrade.

FIBA.com: You're hours away from Latvia's first official game against a non-European team in the modern era. How much have you seen of Puerto Rico and what's your view on how to approach this game?
Strelnieks: It will be something entirely new to me and to the team but from what I have seen Puerto Rico play very aggressive basketball and they have one really huge guy! [Peter Ramos]. I think that we are fast enough to try to out-run them. We cannot play a lot of five-on-five against, we need to run in the open floor. We'll have to play good defence, get the rebounds and try to score in transition.

FIBA.com: As a point guard you have arguably the toughest match-ups, against JJ Barea and Carlos Arroyo. Is Barea's NBA status something that will be at the back of your mind?
Strelnieks: I am really looking forward to play against Barea, but it's wrong to think that because he is an NBA player you need to show him who you are or try to prove anything. I have played against Arroyo when he was at Barcelona. I will enjoy very much going up against both these guys because they are among the best point guards and I love playing against the best.

FIBA.com: Why is this year's Latvia side executing better and showing more intensity and focus as the game progresses?
Strelnieks: It's hard to explain. With every game we win, we come together more and more as a team. We still need one more good practice before the semi-final and the important thing is to stay together no matter how we start the game. Against the Czech Republic, the coach told us to stop thinking too much and be more aggressive. We are also definitely more mature now as a lot of players play on good teams in good leagues.

FIBA.com: Two more wins here and you will be on a plane to Rio in August. Latvia has never been in this position in the modern era. Will your generation make it happen?
Strelnieks: Luckily I haven't made any plans for August, so I won't have to cancel anything if we qualify! (he laughs). Going to the Olympics would be a dream come true for me, for the team and for Latvia. It's not easy, but we are here to fight, to give it our best and see where it takes us.

FIBA