ISTANBUL (2010 FIBA World Championship) - Sani Becirovic has represented Slovenia in many tournaments but he is unlikely to forget the FIBA World Championship in Turkey and for good reason.

For the first time in the national team, the 29-year-old guard is playing under the guidance of his father, Slovenia head coach Mehmed Becirovic.

Sani spoke to FIBA.com about his return to the national team and Slovenia's ambitions.
 
FIBA: Sani, you last played for Slovenia at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 2008. It's nice to see you back wearing the green jersey. How has the team changed?
 
Becirovic: "It's great to be back. We have a strong team. The players did such a great job last year at the EuroBasket. I was so proud of them. I wasn't able to play because I had to rest my knees but those that made it, took this national team to a new level by finishing fourth."

FIBA: There are 3,000 Slovenia fans supporting the national team in Istanbul. How important are they for this team and how far can you go in this tournament?
 
Becirovic: "Our fans are just great. They are always there for us and they don't stop cheering during games. It's great to look around the arena and see those green jerseys. It's a fantastic crowd, the best. We hope that with their support we can take another step forward with respect to what the team did last year.

"I think we have the talent to do well and play at our best."
 
FIBA: Sani, you have been coached by your father before but not in the national team and not at this level. How does it feel to have your father on the bench?
 
Becirovic: "It was uncomfortable at the beginning. For a few days I was nervous and I wasn't playing well. But once the other players saw us as just a coach and a player everything was fine and it was no longer strange. I am just treated as the other players. I have played under him before and we know how to separate the personal from the professional.

FIBA

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