SLO - Maljkovic has a mix of veterans and youngsters

LJUBLJANA (EuroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Slovenians are gearing up for the biggest basketball event ever staged in their country, with EuroBasket 2013 tipping off in the cities of Celje, Ljubljana, Jesenice and Koper in early September.

The top six sides will qualify for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

If the hosts of next year's tournament, Spain, finish among the first six, then the top seven teams at the EuroBasket will progress to next year's basketball extravaganza in Spain.

The coach of Slovenia, veteran play-caller Bozidar Maljkovic, has announced the names of the 16 players that will vie for spots in the roster that is to take on Spain, Croatia, Georgia, the Czech Republic and Poland in Group C.

There is a mix of veterans and youngsters.

Domen Lorbek, who hasn't played for Slovenia since his terrific EuroBasket 2009 when he very nearly helped Slovenia capture a medal in Poland, is the preliminary squad.

Veteran Jaka Lakovic, one of the country's veteran playmakers, and NBA guard Goran Dragic are other headline names.

"The decision on the composition of the team for such an important championship has been carefully planned and thought out," Maljkovic said.

"We finally decided on a list of 16 players.

"It's a combination of experienced players and some young, promising names, because we want to continue with the process of preparing teams for the future.

"We believe that the championship on home soil gives us extra motivation and I'm sure the guys will leave their hearts on the court.

"We'll start the preparations in two weeks, and I am personally already looking forward to seeing the players and I can’t wait to start training."

There is not a lack of quality in the backcourt.

In addition to Lakovic and Dragic, there is long-time NBA guard Beno Udrih is in preliminary roster.

The last time Udrih, who began last season with the Milwaukee Bucks and finished it with the Orlando Magic, featured for the Slovenians in a major event was 2006 at the FIBA World Championship in Japan.

Other key men in the side will be Uros Slokar, Bostjan Nachbar and Mirza Begic.

Slovenia preliminary squad: Zoran Dragic, Beno Udrih, Goran Dragic, Jaka Lakovic, Edo Muric, Bostjan Nachbar, Domen Lorbek, Mirza Begic, Uros Slokar, Jaka Blazic, Klemen Prepelic, Luka Lapornik, Jure Balazic, Jaka Brodnik, Gezim Morina and Gasper Vidmar.

FIBA