LAT - Older and wiser

RIGA (EuroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - There is an unmistakeable sense of pride and confidence in the Latvia training camp ahead of EuroBasket 2013.

In 2011, the Baltic side sent a determined yet inexperienced side to the tournament that was held in neighbouring Lithuania and fought hard, only to lose all five games.

After successfully booking their place for this year's tournament in Slovenia with five victories in their eight Qualification Round contests in 2012, the Latvians are eager to show they will be stronger.

Latvia believe they will be genuine contenders for one of the qualifying spots for next year's FIBA Basketball World Cup.

They will need a top six finish to reach the World Cup. Should Spain end up in the first six, then a top seven place at the EuroBasket would punch Latvia's ticket to the 2014 event.

Janis Blums, a veteran in the 2011 side who took last summer off, is looking forward to competing in Slovenia in Group B against Lithuania, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (MKD).

"It is nice to return to the national team," he said.

"Compared with 2011, all the players have experience and are more mature.

"The targets are higher.

"We're not only thinking of the meetings in the group, but also about the ticket for the World Cup.

"We are serious minded and 100% committed."

Latvia boss Ainars Bagatskis, a former national team player himself, was in charge of the national team in 2011 and last year in qualifying.

What has impressed him is that the players who have shown up from the start of the preparations were ready to hit the ground running.

"You can see that everyone has trained seriously (on their own), rather than simply enjoyed their vacation," he said.

"So from day one, we have worked in earnest.

"We must focus on all aspects - physical fitness, improved technique and tactics.

"But the main thing is to build team spirit."

FIBA