FRA - Tony takes it all in stride

PARIS (EuroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - This was supposed to be the summer when France would arrive at the EuroBasket as one of the big favourites to capture the gold medal.

If Les Bleus showed up in Slovenia with the same squad that made it to the Quarter-Finals of the Olympics in London, many reasoned, they would have as good a chance as any side to finish top of the podium.

After all, Spain, France's nemesis over the years, will be shorthanded.

They won't have Pau Gasol, Juan Carlos Navarro, Felipe Reyes and Serge Ibaka.

The road to glory was supposed to be easier.

As it is, France won't have the same team that played at the London Olympics.

Two most important absentees, Ronny Turiaf and Kevin Seraphin, are concentrating on their careers in the United States this summer.

Tony Parker, France's superstar and their most successful NBA player who is a leading light with the San Antonio Spurs, is nevertheless upbeat, and it's for good reason.

Nicolas Batum, Boris Diaw and several other important French Olympians will be in Slovenia, where the national team will compete in Group A against Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Ukraine and Belgium.

There is also the late addition of NBA big man Johan Petro to the preliminary squad.

Parker, the talisman, said: "We will try to do as well as possible, with those who are there.

"It will not be easy, but it is necessary that you stay motivated. Everyone has their program and I understand."

Parker is encouraged by Petro's return.

The Atlanta Hawks center hasn't played since the qualifying campaign for EuroBasket 2009.

Petro had earlier played for France at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan.

"It's good that Johan returns," Parker said.

"I know he's motivated, it's clear it will help us."

If France were supposed to be the team to beat several months ago, they aren't now.

Maybe that's not a bad thing, though, as it can ease the pressure.

"We are not favourites but it will be a very open European Championship," Parker said.

"There will not be any (favourites)."

Teams will not only be chasing medals in Slovenia, but spots in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The top six sides will clinch places in next year's tournament.

If Spain, who are already in the World Cup as hosts, are in the first six in Slovenia, then the top seven teams at the EuroBasket will seal places.

FIBA