UKR - Cause for optimism

KIEV (EuroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Alexander Volkov was an elite player in international basketball, one who captured gold medals with the former Soviet Union at the 1985 European Championship and the 1988 Olympics.

Now the President of the Ukrainian Basketball Federation, Volkov knows exactly what is needed for his country to join the elite in the men's game.

One essential is to put the sport in the limelight in Ukraine, so the successful bid to host EuroBasket 2015 has helped meet that aim.

Another is to build momentum for that tournament, which Ukraine has done by qualifying for next year's EuroBasket in Slovenia.

It's the second time in a row that Ukraine will play in the Final Round of a EuroBasket.

What would truly put basketball on the map in Ukraine would be to qualify for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

With Volkov having brought in former Atlanta Hawks boss Mike Fratello, and with a talented squad that is loaded with quality big men, Ukraine certainly have a chance to reach the World Cup.

Ukraine, following last weekend's draw, are better able to assess their chances of crashing the World Cup party.

They will go up against France, Germany, Belgium, Israel and Great Britain in Group A.

"Our group is, frankly, not a group of death," Volkov said, "but the Ukrainian team will need to take a very serious approach to the championship and arrive in optimal shape to go on to the next round."

France reached the Final in 2011 and this past summer impressed at the London Games, where they lost only to the United States and Spain - the sides that reached the Gold Medal Game.

"The national team of France is very strong, but its strength will depend on which major players come to the national team," Volkov said.

"Everything will depend on which part of the French will play in Slovenia - or if (Tony) Parker and other NBA players come.

"Other members of our group - Britain, Germany, Belgium and Israel - are well known to us as we have played against the often in recent years, and in qualifying and in the friendlies."

There are unknowns about the make-up of all the teams.

"Britain were very much prepared for the Olympics in London, attracting players from the U.S. colleges and NBA, of course," Volkov said.

"They wanted to do well as the Olympic hosts…

"Theoretically, if all the strongest players come - it will be a strong team."

Luol Deng, who is Britain's best and most famous player, has yet to confirm his presence in Slovenia.

Ukraine certainly can't afford to look past Israel, a team that finished second to Montenegro and ahead of Serbia in the toughest of the Qualification Round groups this summer.

"Israel are a good team with a strong back line and have players of the NBA (Cleveland's Omri Casspi) or with the leading clubs in Europe," Volkov said.

"It's always hard to play against the Israelis."

Belgium will not be pushovers.

They are back in the EuroBasket for the second time in a row.

Germany went unbeaten this summer in the Qualification Round.

Both have excellent coaches, with Eddy Casteels at the helm of the Belgians and Svetislav Pesic holding the reins of Germany.

Volkov is particularly impressed by Germany.

"They have a very interesting team, very young," he said.

"They have ambitious players, so playing them won't be easy."

Volkov saw a good performance from Ukraine this summer, and that was encouraging.

They finished second in their Qualification Round group to Croatia.

"The EuroBasket starts September 4, so players will have plenty of time to relax after a hard season," he said.

"This will be the third year of (coach) Mike Fratello in the national team of Ukraine.

"Additionally, the team has invaluable experience of EuroBasket 2011 and this summer's qualifying tournament."

FIBA