CRO - Repesa Respectful, Also Optimistic

ROME (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - Jasmin Repesa loves a challenge, and he's certainly got one when it comes to coaching Croatia this summer at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Only three places for the Beijing Games are still up for grabs.

The Croatians must finish first or second in Group D, which also includes Cameroon and Puerto Rico, and then win a quarter-final against Canada, Slovenia or Korea.

If they get that far, Repesa's men can qualify for the Beijing Games by winning a semi-final.

Otherwise, they will have to triumph in a third-place game.

Puerto Rico coach Manolo Cintron immediately questioned Croatia's mental focus after hearing about the draw but instead of being drawn into a battle of gamesmanship, Repesa said to FIBA: "Puerto Rico have great talent and are driven to play offensive basketball.

"They play good basketball and can really be a surprise element in this tournament.

"I watched them play at the Olympics in Athens where they beat Team USA playing great basketball."

And there should be players left over from that team, including point guard Carlos Arroyo - their most famous player.

Repesa says Croatia could end up having a stronger team than the one that upset FIBA World Champions Spain at the EuroBasket last year in Seville.

And if that's true, they stand a very good chance of claiming one of the three remaining qualifying spots.

"We have to wait and see who will make themselves available for the national team," he said.

"At the EuroBasket, we didn't have four players, including (Gordan) Giricek and (Nikola) Vujcic, but we still managed to do well.

"We will see what our roster will be although if we have all players available, we will have a very strong Croatian team."

FIBA