LTU - EuroBasket tips off

PANEVEZYS (EuroBasket 2011) - Lithuania is buzzing.

Even for those visitors who have heard over the years that basketball is treated like religion in this part of the world, seeing is believing.

The home fans' interest in the 24-team EuroBasket that tips off on Wednesday in the cities of Panevezys, Siauliai, Alytus and Klaipeda has been astonishing.

To be a European champion in basketball is one of the greatest honors a player can have.

But there is even more at stake in Lithuania because at this event, teams will be fighting for the right to play at the London Games.

The sides that reach the Final will earn places in next year's big tournament and those that come in third, fourth, fifth and sixth will be invited to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Basketball federations have pulled out all stops to make sure their leading players will be in Lithuania with the aim of reaching London.

In Group A, the MVP of the 2006 FIBA World Championship and EuroBasket 2009, Pau Gasol, has returned to the squad.

Gasol missed last year's World Championship in Turkey, citing the need to rest, and his presence has made the Spaniards one of the favorites to reach the podium.

In Group A, though, nothing will come easy as Spain must face last year's runners-up in Istanbul, Turkey, along with EuroBasket hosts Lithuania, Great Britain, Poland and Portugal.

Spain have been cutting down friendly opponents in the build-up to the EuroBasket like a scythe slicing wheat.

The only team to beat Sergio Scariolo's side was Lithuania, and that happened at the official unveiling of the new Kaunas Arena.

"We are in good condition and we hope this will continue until the end of the tournament," Gasol said.

Spain aren't a one-man team, with Marc Gasol - Pau's brother - and recently naturalized big man Serge Ibaka also on the frontline.

Jose Calderon, who got hurt late in the last year's preparations for Turkey, has returned and will bolster an already awesome team.

The presence of Ricky Rubio, Rudy Fernandez, Juan Carlos Navarro and much, much more give Spain the look of Group A favorites.

Turkey have Ersan Ilyasova, one of their most dependable players in recent times, in the squad.

New coach Orhun Ene, a former assistant to Bogdan Tanjevic, also has teenage sensation Enes Kanter at his disposal.

While Turkey haven't been in their rhythm, Kanter has been in splendid form.

Ilyasova is glad the team's first two games are against Portugal and Great Britain.

"Thankfully, we begin the tournament against Portugal before facing Great Britain and that will be a slight advantage," Ilyasova said to FIBA.com.

"Although Portugal and Great Britain are good teams, they are not of the level of Spain and Lithuania.

"It will be important for us to start the tournament with two wins."

Despite the loss of Linas Kleiza, Jonas Maciulius and Darjus Lavrinovic to injuries, Lithuania's fans are hoping for the best.

EuroBasket 2003 MVP Sarunas Jasikevicius has returned to the squad and so has Darius Songaila.

Both were in the Olympic team of 2000 that almost shocked the United States in the Semi-Finals.

They've been in their share of big games over the years for Lithuania.

Group B could be the toughest of all the pools because that is where one finds Serbia, Italy, France, Germany, Israel and Latvia.

Serbia's aim since bringing in Dusan Ivkovic to coach in 2008 has been to reach the London Games, and their silver-medal win at EuroBasket 2009 and fourth-place finish last year in Turkey suggests they're right on course.

Italy are trying to reassert themselves in the big tournaments as they haven't played in one since EuroBasket 2007.

With Danilo Gallinari joining fellow NBA stars Andrea Bargnani and Marco Belinelli, there is every reason to believe Simone Pianigiani's side can make it to London.

It's a big moment for Gallinari, who's been prevented from playing with the Italians since 2007 because of injuries.

"It's been frustrating the past few years because we couldn't achieve any championship, any tournament - anything," he said to FIBA.com.

"So, it's about time to come back.

"I'm just happy and ready to go."

The return of NBA Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki of Dallas and Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman has fueled hopes in Germany that their national team can make it to the Olympics again.

Last time, they reached Beijing via the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament with Nowitzki and Kaman playing leading roles.

France coach Vincent Collet finally has Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah in his line-up, and he also has a promising youngster in 21-year-old Kevin Seraphin of the Washington Wizards.

"The first two weeks, he was incredible physically," Collet said to FIBA.com.

"Now, the game is different and teams are more ready and it's a little more difficult for him. He needs improvement with his understanding of the game but I think he can help us inside."

Collet says France must not look past Latvia, the team perceived to be the underdogs in Group B since they have their youngest-ever team taking part in a EuroBasket with an average age of under 23 years.

"Two years ago, we had a very difficult game against them in the first round," Collet said.

"We remember it. Once again, the gym will be crowded with Latvian fans since they will travel to Lithuania. We know it will be a very difficult game for us.

"I think the start is something that is very important."

Groups C and D in Alytus and Klaipeda, respectively, are full of intrigue.

The former has Greece, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Finland, and the latter has Russia, Slovenia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Georgia.

The warning from every player and every coach at the EuroBasket is to take nothing for granted.

Hard games day after day are about to be played in the Baltics.

Jeff Taylor
FIBA