RUS – AK47 juiced up, ready to go after Russia get wild card

SALT LAKE CITY (2010 FIBA World Championship) - Russia got the wild card they craved.

Now Andrei Kirilenko and his teammates are hell-bent on reminding people of their gold-medal success at EuroBasket 2007 when they run onto the floor at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

The Russians want their fans to forget the 2008 Olympics, when Kirilenko and Co failed to reach the Quarter-Finals.

In the Preliminary Round, Russia will take on Greece, hosts Turkey, Puerto Rico, China and the Ivory Coast in Group C, with the games to be played in Ankara.

"We're going to Turkey! I'm super happy!" wrote Kirilenko in his sport.ru blog from Utah, where he is playing with the NBA’s Jazz.

"This will be an exciting time for me, for friends, for the country.

"We are a young, progressive team, and for many of them the FIBA World Championship will be their first serious test."

Lithuania, Germany and Lebanon received the other three wild cards.

Kirilenko, who didn't play at the EuroBasket in Poland this year because of the need for he and his wife to be fully concentrated on adopting a baby girl in Russia, aims to make the most of his return.

"Turkey will be an interesting tournament, because all the European teams added to Argentina and America (United States), who will undoubtedly be the favorite,” he said.

"I am glad for the Lithuanians, glad that they, too, will go...

"So the championship should now be very colorful. I understand after the failure at the Olympics that a better result is expected (of us), so we will try ...

"I am looking forward to next summer."

As for Team USA, Kirilenko says they shouldn’t have to make any alterations to the squad that won the gold medal at the Olympics. Even if Kobe Bryant weren’t be able to go to Turkey, Kirilenko said: "This group wouldn't be greatly diminished."

"In short, we will be prepared," he said.

"Many Russians will come to support us, which is important to us so we will feel almost like home. So, friends, order (ticket) vouchers."

FIBA