ESP - Scariolo calls Lithuania favorites at this summer’s EuroBasket

MADRID (EuroBasket 2011) – Spain boss Sergio Scariolo has coached enough against Lithuania the past two years to know it’s the team to beat this summer when the Baltic country hosts EuroBasket 2011.

The draw for the event is this weekend and Scariolo said: "The fact that we are playing in a country with so much basketball tradition as Lithuania will be an added complication.

“There, the courts are always full, the fans are incredible and the level of basketball knowledge is very high.

“That means that the hosts will be favorites, especially after their excellent performance at the World Championship, where they clinched bronze."

Spain beat Lithuania in a pivotal clash at EuroBasket 2009 in Poland before going on to capture their first-ever gold medal in the competition.

Lithuania avenged that setback at the FIBA World Championship by defeating Spain in the Preliminary Round.

Olympic spots are up for grabs at the EuroBasket, with the tournament field having been expanded by eight teams.

"It's the first time that a EuroBasket will be played with 24 teams and probably we will face five strong rivals from the start,” Scariolo said.

"What we will be looking for is to have a mix of winning ambition and humility to face the competition and be prepared from the first moment, with enthusiasm and focus that each game of a EuroBasket deserves.”

FIBA