Ginzburg sees tough road ahead at World Cup in China for Czechs
One can say this about Czech Republic coach Ronen Ginzburg: he's got a great sense of humor, something he demonstrated less than 24 hours after attending the draw for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019
SHENZHEN (China) - One can say this about Czech Republic coach Ronen Ginzburg: he's got a great sense of humor, something he demonstrated less than 24 hours after attending the draw for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Shenzhen.
What did he think of the group his Czech Republic side had fallen into?
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"I thought Kobe Bryant had better days," Ginzburg said, referring to the Group E that his team landed in, one that also has two-time defending champions USA.
NBA and USA legend Bryant was on hand to help carry out the draw, given his role as FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Global Ambassador.
"IT'S A TOUGH GROUP BUT STILL, WE'RE THERE AND IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY DAY. I KNOW THAT MY PLAYERS AND MYSELF WE'RE COMPETITIVE AND WE'LL TRY AND DO OUR BEST AND NOT ONLY TAKE PART."
"The draw for us is very hard," Ginzburg said. "The USA, Turkey and also Japan, who are really improving - it's a tough group and very exciting."
There are no opponents in Group E, Ginzburg says, that make him feel the least bit comfortable going up against.
"USA is a different level, we’ll try and do our best," he said. "Turkey is a very good team, four or five NBA players. I can't say I feel comfortable in any game of this group.
"We want to play well and at least go to the Second round. But it will be tough."
Tomas Satoransky played in two wins that helped Ginzurg's Czechs seal their place at the first-ever 32-team World Cup
The Czech Republic qualified for the World Cup for the first time, although the former Czechoslovakia did play at World Cups in 1970, 1974, 1978 and 1982.
"The last three or four months (in the Czech Republic), everyone has been really enthusiastic about basketball," Ginzburg said. "A lot of people watched the draw and this is giving us a big boost for the sport.
"Everyone is excited. It’s a tough group but still, we're there and it doesn't happen every day. I know that my players and myself we're competitive and so we'll try and do our best and not only take part.
"We showed to ourselves that we are a good team, we showed it in the games, a lot of young players are getting better, also we have (Tomas) Satoranksy, (Jan) Vesely, Ondrej Balvin, who is now very good.
"Players believe in the team, I believe in the team. We had a good feeling from the Qualification and hope to continue in the World Cup."
FIBA