Estonia to follow proven formula this summer
TALLINN (FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers) – If Estonia's 25-strong preliminary team for the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers is an indication of head coach Tiit Sokk's intentions, it is apparent
TALLINN (FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers) – If Estonia's 25-strong preliminary team for the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers is an indication of head coach Tiit Sokk's intentions, it is apparent the Estonian tactician believes that his side needs to continue along the path that led them last year to their biggest success in a generation.
Sokk has included on his initial list for the summer's qualifying campaign 11 players from the 12-man roster which represented the Baltic nation at FIBA EuroBasket 2015, their first major event since 2001.
| Estonia 25-man preliminary squad | |||
| Gregor Arbet | Gert Dorbek | Martin Dorbek | Timo Eichfuss |
| Reinar Hallik | Joonas Jarvelainen | Janari Joesaar | Kristjan Kangur |
| Indrek Kajupank | Erik Keedus | Kristjan Kitsing | Tanel Kurbas |
| Rait Laane | Rauno Nurger | Sten Olmre | Martin Paasoja |
| Jaan Puidet | Rain Raadik | Toomas Raadik | Sten Sokk |
| Tanel Sokk | Janar Soo | Janar Talts | Rain Veideman |
| Siim-Sander Vene | |||
Last September, in Group C in Riga, Estonia celebrated an historic 78-71 win over Ukraine which was their first victory in the Final Round of a FIBA EuroBasket tournament after the turn of the century. The Baltic side then came close to upsetting none other than neighbours and eventual tournament finalists Lithuania, but lost 64-62 almost at the buzzer.
Shooting guard Gregor Arbet led the Estonian team in scoring during that milestone tournament and, although he just turned 33, he is poised to play in one more qualifying campaign this summer. Two other influential veterans who made significant contributions in last September's event, versatile forward Kristjan Kangur and big man Janar Talts, also appear set to help Estonia chase a second consecutive FIBA EuroBasket appearance.
Meanwhile 25-year-old small forward Siim-Sander Vene and 26-year-old guard Rain Veideman, who have already been very important for the national team in recent years, are expected to assume even bigger roles this summer. The other players on the 25-man list who stepped out at FIBA EuroBasket 2015 are Gert Dorbek, Erik Keedus, Tanel Sokk, Sten Sokk, Reinar Hallik and Tanel Kurbas.
Estonia will commence preparations on 11 July and will play their first warm-up game on 6 August, against Kosovo. Two days later they will face Germany while on 9 August they will then travel to Romania for a friendly tournament that will see them go up against Bulgaria, Hungary and the host nation.
The Baltic team were drawn in Group D of the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers which tip off 31 August, together with Belarus, Poland and Portugal.
FIBA