EGY - Returning to the big stage

CAIRO (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Egypt coach Amr Aboul Kheir doesn't need to be reminded. He knows that at this summer's 24-team FIBA Basketball World Cup, his national side is going to be an underdog.

In Group A, they will take on international heavyweights Spain, EuroBasket 2013 champions France, European juggernauts Serbia, powerhouse Brazil and Asia's most dominant team in recent times, Iran.

"Spain and France are the biggest two teams in our group, but in basketball, all the games are decided on the court, not outside," Aboul Kheir said to FIBA.com.

All of Egypt's opponents should take heed because Aboul Kheir speaks from experience.

At last year's AfroBasket in Cote d'Ivoire, they surpassed expectations and won a silver medal.

This is a country with a long tradition of taking part in international tournaments, although not in recent times.

"Our aim is to play good basketball," he said.

"It's our first time in 20 years to reach the finals of the World Cup.

"In the 1980s and 1990s, we qualified for Olympics and World Cups."

Egypt played at the Olympics in 1972 (Munich), 1976 (Montreal), 1984 (Los Angeles) and 1988 (Seoul), and the FIBA World Championships in 1990 (Argentina) and 1994 (Canada).

Egypt, who are No. 46 in the FIBA Ranking Men, shouldn't have any pressure on them.

That may allow them to sneak up on opponents.

"It's one of the strongest groups in the tournament," the coach said of Group A, which will have its games in Granada.

"For sure we have Spain with us. It's really a strong group, but I think the fans will have a good time watching the games.

"I think we must show good basketball to the whole world.

"The World Cup is a big thing for Egyptians. They need to be there, need to have a nice time.

"They need to start to go to a new world."

FIBA