BUENOS AIRES (FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup) - Argentina failed in their first chance to qualify for the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017. That made Argentina star Facundo Corvalan all the more relieved when the country was chosen to replace the suspended Brazil for a spot at the tournament in Cairo.

Argentina finished fifth at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2016, meaning they would miss out on the biennial U19 spectacular for the first time since 1987 since only the top four qualify. FIBA, however, confirmed its suspension of U18 Americas third-placed Brazil and Argentina was given a ticket to Cairo.

"I have a strange feeling because I really feel it is a shame the situation in which Brazil is. I think that if they were us, it would be a great pain for both managers and players," the 6ft 1in (1.86m) guard said. "But at the same time I feel great happiness for the opportunity to play in this incredible tournament."

"It was a relief. It was a bad time (at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship in Chile). I feel we have a great group and we could not fully prove it in Chile. Therefore, it is a great challenge for the group to be able to do it better."Facundo CorvalanFacundo Corvalan

Corvalan, who led the team in assists with 5.0 per game at the U18 Americas tournament while averaging a team second-best 11.0 points, said the more time for the Brazil decision to be made the less he thought Argentina would make it to Cairo.

"I woke up one morning and had several messages from my family and national team colleagues telling me about the news," the Buenos Aires native said. "I did not expect it to happen. It took a lot of time to make the decision and every day that passed there was a slight decrease in the hopes that there would be a chance to play the world tournament."

Instead of watching the tournament from home, Argentina will be facing off against U18 European champions France, Asian powers Korea and first-time U18 Oceania champs New Zealand in Cairo from 1-9 July. And Corvalan and Co will have a shot at redemption after missing the event in qualification.

"It was a relief. It was a bad time (at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship in Chile). I feel we have a great group and we could not fully prove it in Chile. Therefore, it is a great challenge for the group to be able to do it better," Corvalan said.

There is also the awareness within the group that this will be the last go-around together in the youth ranks.

"It is inevitable to feel this emotion. It will be a special tournament - the last with the selection of my country with the age category. It will be a beautiful challenge and I am very enthusiastic," Corvalan said.

Argentina have not really challenged for the podium in some time - with third-placed finishes in 1979 and 1991 and 12th and 10th placed showings in 2013 and 2015, respectively. Still, the objective is to fight as a unit and try to go as far as possible - going just one step at a time.

"We must be very intense at all times. We cannot give away even a minute if we want to achieve it. We also must limit the mistakes since the teams we will face will make us pay for them," said Corvalan, who plays for Weber Bahia in the Argentina professional league.

This Argentina generation from 1998 to 2000 has some high level talents such as Corvalan, Santiago Vaulet, Lautaro Berra, Lautaro Lopez and Francisco Caffaro. Now it's time for them to do it.

"No doubt this team has talent. I hope we can take advantage of it to make the team better," Corvalan said.

Well, now Argentina have that second chance.

FIBA