Portugal set to launch preparations for World Cup European Pre-Qualifiers

LISBON (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Pre-Qualifiers) - It's a tough road ahead for Portugal as attention turns to qualifying for FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers.

Portugal's players will meet up with coach Mario Gomes on July 2 and start training in Luso, which is two-and-a-half hours north of Lisbon by car. 

The side will play in the World Cup European Pre-Qualifiers and unfortunately, Joao 'Betinho' Gomes won't be able to help after injuring his knee while playing for Trentino in the Italian Lega A Finals.

The coach has added UD Oliveirense's Arnette Hallman as Betinho's replacement in the 14-man squad.

As part of their warm-up for the Pre-Qualifiers, the Portuguese will host the Luso International Tournament with the Estonia and Romania national sides taking part. Estonia are also in the Pre-Qualifiers while Romania are getting ready for FIBA EuroBasket 2017.

Then, from July 22-24, Portugal will play in a four-nations warm-up tournament in Skopje, in the Former Yugoslavia Republic of Macedonia (MKD). Bosnia and Herzegovina, MKD and the Netherlands are taking part.

Lastly, Portugal will host the International Tournament (July 26-28) of Vila Real with Tunisia and Algeria also involved.

Portugal tip-off their Pre-Qualifiers campaign on August 2 in Sines against Bulgaria and one week later play in Minsk against Belarus. Three days later, Gomes' side play in Botevgrad against Bulgaria and they wrap up their Pre-Qualifiers at home to Belarus in Coimbra on August 19.

The goal is to reach the World Cup Qualifiers. Gomes and his players are going to pull out all stops to make it.

"We need to improve our basketball and our players, so it's very important for us to play against high-level teams, which means to play the World Cup Qualifiers," Gomes said to fiba.basketball.

FIBA