SLO - Revving the engine

KOPER (EuroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Slovenia are ready to make a run at the EuroBasket podium.

That was the only conclusion to draw after their impressive Adecco Cup triumphs over the weekend in Koper.

Roared on by a home crowd and led by their inspirational point guard Goran Dragic, Slovenia knocked off Montenegro, 81-74, and followed that up with a 92-84 victory over Italy.

"The real competition starts in September and we'll all start from zero," warned Slovenia coach Bozidar Maljkovic.

Even so, the Slovenia fans have genuine cause to be excited about their team because the players looked supremely focused ahead of the biggest tournament ever staged in the country.

The EuroBasket is a qualifying event for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, with the top six sides punching their ticket to Spain.

If the Spaniards end up in the first six, then the top seven sides will clinch places in next year's tournament.

Dragic, who had seven points and six assists against the Montenegrins and 19 points in the triumph over Italy, was named the Adecco Cup MVP.

"The fact that we have four players to score more than 10 points and two who had eight tells us that we played well," he said after the win over Italy.

"These victories shouldn't lull us into a false sense of security but motivate us to work more and correct the mistakes that we made in the game."

Dragic made sure to pay tribute to the crowd.

He knows the 'sixth man' will be a major factor at the EuroBasket.

"Thanks to the fans for their support," he said, "and I hope they will also be loud in Celje, when it's time to get down to business."

Slovenia will have to be sharp from the opening tip in Celje, which is where their Group C games will be played against Spain, Croatia, Poland, Georgia and the Czech Republic.

Maljkovic, who finalized his roster after the Cup triumph, has size, speed, experience and depth.

"The 12 basketball players I have chosen are the best currently Slovenia have and should go to the EuroBasket," he said.

Luka Lapornik, Gezim Morina and Klemen Prepelic were the last three players to be cut.

Slovenia squad for EuroBasket 2013: Nebojsa Joksimovic, Goran Dragic, Jaka Lakovic, Jaka Blazic, Zoran Dragic, Edo Muric, Bostjan Nachbar, Domen Lorbek, Jure Balazic, Mirza Begic, Uros Slokar and Gasper Vidmar.

FIBA