BUL - Optimism Reigns For Gershon's Bulgaria

TURIN (EuroBasket Qualifying) - Pini Gershon isn't just hopeful that he and his Bulgaria national team players will make it to next year's EuroBasket in Poland.

The Israeli firmly believes they will qualify this week.

The Bulgarians take on Italy in Turin on Wednesday night and then face Serbia back in Sofia on Saturday.

Bulgaria, 81-80 winners over Italy in the first meeting, are 4-2 heading into their game while the Azzurri are in third place with a 3-4 record.

The four group winners, and the three best second-place teams will earn direct qualification for Poland.

Former Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Gershon said: "We have the two hardest games from this qualifying.

"It won't be easy away in Turin, but I think we are able to win anyway.

"We are in good shape, we practiced very seriously and we know the abilities of the opponents."

Should Bulgaria win just one of two games and finish runners-up to Serbia, they are almost certain to qualify.

"It is enough for us to win one of the last two games because we have chances to go to EuroBasket 2009, even if we lose one," Gershon said.

"I am sure we will play in Poland. It is not important how, but (for it) to happen."

As for Bulgaria's historic struggles against the giants in Europe like Italy, Gershon said: "I am not worried by the fact that Bulgaria have not won any away games with the 'Super Power' teams in Europe.

"It was 40 years since the last win against Italy, but we won on the 30th of August.

"Everything is possible, but the squadra (Italy) is a very good team.

"It wasn't easy in Sofia, so it won't be now in Italy."

FIBA