Venezuela's Colmenares: ''Our performance at the World Cup will depend on how we prepare''
Over the past five years, Néstor Colmenares has become an integral piece of Venezuela's national team and helped it go on an impressive run of success, including qualifying for this summer's World Cup
CARACAS (Venezuela) - Over the past five years, Néstor Colmenares has become an integral piece of Venezuela's national team and helped it go on an impressive run of success.
Since 2014, Venezuela have been crowned champions of the Americas (2015), won a pair of South American championships (2014 and 2016), returned to the Olympics for the first time in 24 years (2016) and, most recently, qualified for this summer's FIBA Basketball World Cup and thereby ending a 13-year absence from the game's biggest stage.
Along with José Vargas and Heissler Guillent, Colmenares has been one of three players to play in every game of the Americas Qualifiers for Venezuela, averaging 11.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals to help the team register a 9-3 mark and clinch their place at a fourth World Cup.
The 6ft 8in (2.03m) forward spoke to FIBA.basketball about the first-ever 32-team World Cup in China, where Venezuela will face Poland, Cote d'Ivoire and the host country in Group A, taking place in the city of Beijing.
"THE WORLD CUP MIGHT MEAN THE END OF A CYCLE OF ONE OF VENEZUELA'S MOST SUCCESSFUL GENERATIONS. MAKING A GOOD RUN WOULD BE THE PERFECT ENDING FOR THOSE THAT WON'T CONTINUE WITH THE NATIONAL TEAM. THAT'S WHY THIS WORLD CUP IS SO SPECIAL."
What is your take on Venezuela's First Round opponents at the World Cup?
It will be a difficult group. Poland and Cote d'Ivoire have outstanding players and China will play as hosts. At the Olympics in Rio we defeated the Chinese but they're very high-ranked (at the World Cup) so it won't be easy. This is the World Cup and all teams want to display their class.
What will be Venezuela's objective?
We want to compete on the same level as every team, give our best and take our country as high as we can. We've worked a lot to be here and it would be good to give the people that joy.
How do you feel about playing in China?
It will be very exciting. Not everyone has the opportunity of being in a tournament like this one. For us it means achieving another dream because we reached another goal of ours by playing at the Olympic Games (in Rio 2016). This (the World Cup) was the great event that was missing.
What do you foresee the team will be like for China 2019?
Our performance at the World Cup will depend on how we prepare. We need to prepare by facing teams and rivals that allow us to evaluate our tactical and physical levels. We have to get to China with good rhythm. I think we have a good opportunity to progress to the Second Round, but this is another level and you can't leave anything to chance, you have to take the (necessary) measures.
The World Cup might mean the end of a cycle of one of the most successful generations in Venezuela. Making a good impression in the tournament would be the perfect closure for those that won't continue with the national team. That's why this World Cup is so special.
"I THINK WE HAVE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO PROGRESS TO THE SECOND ROUND, BUT THIS IS ANOTHER LEVEL AND YOU CAN'T LEAVE ANYTHING TO CHANCE. YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE (NECESSARY) MEASURES."
What about you personally, how do you go about getting ready for this challenge?
I'm going to do what I have to do at an individual level. I'm going to work on my body and on the court, because we're going to play against the best. We all want to participate the best we can.
FIBA