ANG - Smaller Angola need to play smart against Panama

HIROSHIMA (FIBA World Championship) Angolan power forward Joaquim Gomes said the African champions must play as a unit if they want to hold off Panama in their opener of the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

"We've always had the disadvantage of not having a lot of tall guys. So we have to play hard and smart," Gomes said. "We can't give them second shots. They're bigger and taller than us. Otherwise it's going to be a long day."

Gomes also said he wishes the team could have played one of the bigger opponents in Group B - such as Germany or Spain - instead of one of their main contenders for a spot in the Final 16.

"It would be better if we could play a bigger team first to get them out of the way. But if we can get a win we could build some confidence," he added. "I expect everybody to come up big, espeically with passing and rebounding."

"The whole nation is hoping for us."

After the Panama game, Angola play Japan, New Zealand, Spain and Germany. 

David HEIN
Exclusively for FIBA