SWE - Dean delight so far

STOCKHOLM (EuroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - It's a good sign for a national team coach when all the players show up for the first practice at training camp fully fit and raring to go.

Such has been the case for Sweden this summer as they prepare to play in the EuroBasket for the first time in 10 years.

The coach of the national side, Brad Dean, couldn't be happier with the group of players he's preparing for next month's tournament in Slovenia, where the Swedes will take on Italy, Turkey, Greece, Finland and Russia in Group D.

"This is the best start to a national team summer in the four years I've been the head coach," said Dean.

"All of the players have come in physically and mentally well prepared."

The Swedes are long shots to make it out of the First Round in Slovenia, and something that probably isn't helping their chances is the late arrivals of the players deemed to be their biggest talents.

Jonas Jerebko and Jeffery Taylor, who both compete in the NBA, won't be arriving until later this month.

They should feature in a warm-up tournament in Poland that is to be held 23 and 25 of August.

The EuroBasket tips off 4 September, with the top six sides qualifying for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

If Spain are in the first six, then a top seven finish will clinch a spot in next year's event.

"It's a little odd to prepare for a tournament when we're missing two important players such as Jonas Jerebko and Jeff Taylor," Dean said. "But we'll just have to try.

"We expect that everyone (opponents) will try to stop Jonas and Jeff, so then we need to have players who can make shots on offense, make good decisions and not throw the ball away.

"On defense, we will need players with size, players making good decisions who can withstand the physical part of the game."

The team is traveling to Lithuania this weekend for a couple of friendlies against the national side coached by Jonas Kazlauskas.

A couple of youngsters have been working out with the squad so far and have impressed the coach.

They are 20-year-old Tobias Borg and 17-year-old Louis Hakanson.

"They have performed very well and deserved to be there," Dean said.

"In a national team, you must always have an eye on the future, but when you play a European Cup, it's all about putting together the best team.

"Neither has backed down from the challenge and have been pleasant surprises."

Sweden squad called to prepare for trip to Lithuania: Charles Barton Jr. (Oregon State), Tobias Borg ((Sodertalje Kings), Anton Gaddefors (Sundsvall Dragons), Victor Gaddefors (Oknoplast Bologna), Kenny Grant (Sluc Nancy), Ludwig Håkanson (Regal FC Barcelona), Johan Jeansson (Uppsala Basket), Joakim Kjellbom (Norrkoping Dolphins), Alexander Lindqvist (Nässjö Basketball), Brice Massamba (ES Sahel), Thomas Massamba (Lukoil Academik), Dino Pita (Liege Basket), Erik Rush (Cimbio Varese), Jonathan Skjöldebrand (Hapoel Tel Aviv).

FIBA