BRA – Splitter, Huertas size up Brazil chances
VITORIA (2010 FIBA World Championship) – The draw for the 2010 FIBA World Championship was held in Istanbul on Tuesday but players and coaches all over monitored events in Turkey and that included Tiago Splitter and Marcelo Huertas of Brazil. The two key members of the Brazilian national side are teammates at Caja Laboral in Spain and both ...
VITORIA (2010 FIBA World Championship) – The draw for the 2010 FIBA World Championship was held in Istanbul on Tuesday but players and coaches all over monitored events in Turkey and that included Tiago Splitter and Marcelo Huertas of Brazil.
The two key members of the Brazilian national side are teammates at Caja Laboral in Spain and both experienced the agony of 2006 when Brazil failed to advance from the ‘group of death’ in Hamamatsu.
On Tuesday, Brazil discovered they would go up against the United States, Slovenia, Croatia, Iran and Tunisia.
"USA, Croatia and Slovenia are the most difficult games but I believe in the strength of our team,” said center Splitter, who then stressed the importance of not overlooking the Iranians and Tunisians.
"Iran, whom we face first, deserve all of our respect and our focus."
Huertas, a point guard, said: "USA are favorites to win the group but we can compete to finish second. There are several teams that will compete for second spot while Tunisia and Iran will fight at least to get a victory and that can complicate matters in the following round."
Brazil will travel to Turkey as the FIBA Americas champions.
FIBA