BRA - Guilherme joins Brazilians for training

RIO DE JANEIRO (South American Championship) - Guilherme Giovannoni has joined up with the Brazil national squad as they prepare for the South American Championship - although he will take no part in the competition.

The 26-year-old, who plays for Ukrainian league runners-up BC Kyiv, has joined the Brazilians on a temporary basis in order to improve his fitness ahead of the FIBA World Championship.

"We're in a World Championship year and I cannot present myself in bad form. I'm doing specific jobs with a physical trainer and I thought it would be better to improve the tactical form too", Guilherme told www.cbb.com.br.

"That's why I'll train once a day with players who are already in Sao Paulo. Coach Lula (Ferreira) has planned the job very well and the whole team will be well-prepared to achieve this year's goals".

Coach Ferreira has a squad of 17 players, from whom 12 will be picked for the group stage of the South American Championship, where they will compete alongside hosts Venezuela and Chile on Group A.

Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay and Paraguay make up Group B in the tournament, which will be played in Caracas from July 12 to 16.

After this tournament, Brazil will play warm-up friendlies against New Zealand (July 22-28), going on to the Super Four tournament in Argentina (July 30-August 1) followed by an eagerly-anticipated clash against USA in China on August 8.

Brazil will then take part in the II Stankovic Cup, where they will face Germany, Australia, hosts China, France and Greece from August 10 to 15, before competing at the FIBA World Championship from August 19 to September 3 in Japan.

Brazil preliminary squad: Caio Torres (Rayet Guadajara), Estevam (Uberlandia), Murilo (Franca), Joao Paulo (Gonzaga University), Paulao, Nezinho, Arthur (all Ribeirao Preto), Andre "Bambu", Luis Felipe Grubber (both Parmesa Castellon), Guilherme Teichmann, Diego, Manteiguinha (all Ajax), Marcus Toledo (CB L'Hospitalet), Felipe Ribeiro (Rio Claro), Jhonatan (Paulistano), Duda (Universo/BRB), Marcelinho Huertas (DKV Joventut).

PA Sport