BRA - Brazilian National Team in last stage of preparation in Sao Paulo:

SAO PAULO (2009 FIBA Americas Championship) - The Brazilian National Team is concentrated in Barueri as they are in the final stages of preparation prior to their trip to Puerto Rico in order to play in the 2009 Marchand Continental Championship Cup (August 18-20) and the FIBA Americas Championship (August 26 to September 6).

Marcelinho Machado, who missed the Super 4 in Rio due a right arm injury, returned to the practices.

"We showed at the tournament in Rio that we have a good game rhythm, but we have to improve on some things. This sequence of practices is important so the team can be better prepared. After that we have the Tuto Marchand Cup who is going to give us the ideal condition to play in the FIBA Americas Championship," said Marcelinho.

The players practicing are: Marcelinho Huertas, Eduardo Machado, Fúlvio de Assis, Alex Garcia, Diego Pinheiro, Jonathan Tavernari, Leandrinho Barbosa, Jeferson Willian, Guilherme Giovannoni, Guilherme Teichmann, Marcelinho Machado, Anderson Varejão, Carlos Alexandre, João Paulo Batista and Tiago Splitter.

Brazil will play in the Marchand Continental Championship Cup against Argentina, Canada and Puerto Rico. In the FIBA Americas Championship they are in Group B along with Argentina, Dominican Republic, Panama and Venezuela.

The team is expected to arrive in Puerto Rico on Sunday, August 16.

FIBA Americas