ARG - Oberto admits pressure is a factor

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MAR DEL PLATA (FIBA World Championship) - Fabricio Oberto believes Argentina's success in next month's FIBA World Championship will depend on how the side handles the pressure of being among the favourites.

The Olympic champions are continuing their preparations for international basketball's showpiece in Mar del Plata, with their next warm-up game against Venezuela on Friday.

The beaten finalists of four years ago will arrive in Japan under the weight of huge expectation and San Antonio Spurs star Oberto reckons dealing with this in the right way could guarantee another gold medal.

"Argentina are candidates, we know we are big favourites," he said.

"If we can manage this situation, we'll have success in Japan."

Oberto, who did not seen much action the recent NBA season, will play his third World Championship following Greece 1998 and Indianapolis 2002 and he is under no illusions how competitive the event will be.

"It'll very tough because there are a lot of good teams," he added.

Argentina have been drawn in Group A for the event - which tips off on August 19 - alongside defending champions Serbia & Montenegro, France, Venezuela, Nigeria and Lebanon.

They begin against France and can gain revenge over Serbia & Montenegro for their final defeat four years ago, but Oberto insists the challenge will not end there.

He said: "All opponents will be important, we cannot think only of France or Serbia & Montenegro. There are a group of eight or 10 teams who are in condition to fight for the title.

"All of them will do their best and show their best on court to beat us, to defeat the Olympic champions."

Despite not playing a great deal during 2005 and 2006, the Cordoba-born Oberto is confident in being able to contribute a lot to the national squad.

"I have the same eagerness as always, but now I want to contribute my year's NBA experience to this team," he said.

PA Sport