Knee problem knocks Lorbek out of talented Slovenia squad

LJUBLJANA (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Slovenia have had veteran power forward Erazem Lorbek withdraw from their FIBA Basketball World Cup squad because of a long-standing knee injury.

The Barcelona big man missed last year's EuroBasket on home soil because of health issues and now has been lost for the World Cup.

Slovenia thrived with Lorbek in their squad at EuroBasket 2009 when they went on a surprising run to the Semi-Finals in Poland but he has played for the side in just one tournament since, at EuroBasket 2011 in Lithuania.

Among the 13 players now in the Slovenia squad are big men Jure Balazic (2.04m), Uros Slokar (2.10m), Miha Zupan (2.05m) and Alen Omic (2.15m).

The team had centers Mirza Begic and Gasper Vidmar last year when Bozidar Maljkovic was still coach but neither is in this summer's team.

Slovenia will still contend for top spot in Group D, in Gran Canaria, where they will go up against Lithuania, Australia, Angola, Korea and Mexico.

National team boss Jure Zdovc knew that Lorbek was an uncertainty before the World Cup.

"I was hoping that this would not happen, but the reality is something else," he said.

"Nevertheless, we must look ahead.

"We have a team that has been together from the first day.

"It must be clear to these players now that they bear an even greater responsibility.

"I thank Erazem for his perseverance.

"He wanted to be here and I sincerely hope that next year, he will be from the first day."

FIBA