Good signs from Brazil in win over Romania

SAO PAULO (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - Brazil point guard Raulzinho Neto and head coach Ruben Magnano are not getting carried away after their first victory in the team's build-up to the Rio de Janeiro Games.

Going up against big underdogs Romania in a friendly in Sao Paulo on Saturday, the Olympic hosts cruised to a 90-45 win.

"It was our first friendly and, regardless of the level of the opponent, we play as we train," Utah Jazz playmaker Neto said. "We still feel a bit stuck because of the training, but it is absolutely normal in this preparation. I'm sure we will evolve in the coming games before debuting at the Olympics."

"As far as a general appearance, we did very well. And even with the changes made in the team, we always had a good rhythm." - Magnano

Neto is now one of the most important players in the national team, unlike four years ago at the London Games when he was used sparingly by Magnano. Neto had a breakout game with the national team in the Round of 16 at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup against Argentina. Since that contest, he has moved from strength to strength in his career.

Magnano, who coached Argentina to the gold medal 12 years ago at the Athens Games, is hoping to get Brazil to the podium on home soil but he and everyone else knows that is going to be extremely difficult with so many other good teams contending for medals.

He was encouraged by the way Brazil played against Romania, though. There were positive signs that lesser known players like Vitor Benite will have a positive impact on the team. Benite had 17 points against the Romanians.

"It's a friendly to evaluate what we have been working on in training," Magnano said. "As far as a general appearance, we did very well. And even with the changes made in the team, we always had a good rhythm."

Brazil will play in Group B at the Olympics against Lithuania, Spain, Croatia, Argentina and Nigeria.

FIBA