FRA - Florent Pietrus upbeat about France’s chances of reaching EuroBasket

VALENCIA (EuroBasket 2009) – Of the six teams that still have a chance to reach the EuroBasket 2009 Final Round in Poland, France are deemed by many to be the favourites.

With Tony Parker pulling the strings at point guard, Les Bleus will go into the Additional Qualifying Round looking to overcome Italy and Finland in Group B.

They will then have to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium or Portugal from Group A.

The French still have one very important matter to solve, however.

They must appoint a new coach.

The federation has scheduled a press conference for Wednesday in Paris to announce the new boss.

An interview over the weekend in BasketNews with former Team USA boss Larry Brown, who is currently at the helm of a Charlotte Bobcats team in the NBA that includes France international Boris Diaw and 20-year-old Frenchman Alexis Ajinca, has caused a stir.

Brown was asked if he would like to coach France but he replied no, although he would “like to give a helping hand”.

Veteran forward Florent Pietrus of Pamesa Valencia, who missed last summer’s campaign while he rehabilitated his knee following an operation, says that no matter who takes the reins, France will be a force to be reckoned with.

He spoke to Jeff Taylor in an interview for FIBA.com.

FIBA.com: We really enjoyed watching you play for France at the last two EuroBaskets and at the 2006 FIBA World Championship. You weren’t able to play last summer when France finished second in their qualifying group to Turkey. Are you going to play for France again?

Pietrus: Of course, of course. We have a nice opportunity. We lost the qualifications last summer and we have only one chance to get to the European Championship (EuroBasket). I hope that everyone will be there to help France qualify.

FIBA.com: Italy will be a tough team to beat in your group, though.

Pietrus. Yes, I think it’s going to be between us and Italy, but I think we have a good chance to make this European Championship.

FIBA.com: There is one other matter. Who is going to be the coach?

Pietrus: I don’t know. Up to now, we don’t know. But it doesn’t matter. What is more important is July 5 when we start the preparations and like I said before try to get to the European Championship.

FIBA.com: You have played in Spain for a long time. How do you like the basketball in the country’s top flight, the ACB?

Pietrus: It’s great. For me, it’s one of the best championships in Europe because after the NBA, every NBA player goes straight to Spain. That makes the level higher. That’s why it’s important for us in the EuroCup and winning this game (against Azovmash) because we have an opportunity (to win a trophy). In the ACB, it’s going to be tough to play against such teams as Tau, Barcelona. This (EuroCup) is our competition, so we have to give 100% to achieve something.

FIBA