BRA - Varejao: "We’re young, and we play like Brazilian people – happy"

HAMAMATSU (FIBA World Championship) - A minute doesn't go by in a Brazilian national team practice when Anderson Varejao doesn't laugh or crack a smile.

Who can blame him?

The 2.07m forward has rebounded from last summer's disappointment, when a shoulder injury knocked him out of the FIBA Americas Championship in the first round, and arrived in Japan full of confidence after an excellent NBA campaign with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

He spoke to PA Sport's Jeff Taylor on behalf of FIBA before Saturday's Group C opener against Australia.

FIBA: Anderson, Brazil have won a lot of admirers the past two seasons, but especially the past few months. What can we realistically expect from your team here in Japan?

Anderson: "We had good preparations, and we have a good, young team. We want to win and I think we can do well at this Championship."

FIBA: Why is it that Brazil always look as if they have so much fun playing basketball?

Anderson: "We’re young, and we play like Brazilian people – happy (laughing). We play like that and try to win every game."

FIBA: Is there a comparison with the football team?

Anderson: "They have won everything. In basketball, we try. We have a good team, we play with energy, like alegria, and that’s it?"

FIBA: Group C looks very, very difficult with Greece, Turkey, Lithuania, Australia, yourselves and Qatar. Greece thrashed Germany in the Stankovic Cup. Do you think this is a very tough group?

Anderson: "Yes it is, and that’s why we have to play as I said before. If we’re 10 points down, we have to play hard. We have to play with energy and get back into the game."

FIBA: "Looking ahead to Australia, your first game, you have played against Andrew Bogut quite a bit in the NBA. Are you looking forward to that match-up?"

Anderson: "He’s a good player. We have to play hard against him, against Australia and I think we can win."

FIBA: What about Greece?

Anderson: "They are a great team. They had a very good team against Germany. They played great with the ball, and great defense. I think we have to play hard against them."

By Jeff Taylor
FIBA