High-flying Czechs prepare for lift-off once again with Vesely

PARDUBICE (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - There's no one like him in Czech basketball, the high-flying, rim-rattling, shot-swatting Jan Vesely. So it's with great anticipation in his homeland that the 28-year-old center's going to play against Russia in Pardubice on September 13.

The countries will tip off their Second Round campaigns in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers and all eyes will, without any shred of doubt, be on Vesely, and fellow star Tomas Satoransky as they return to the national side.

While the latter last played for the national team at FIBA EuroBasket 2017 in Romania, Vesely has not featured for the Czechs since 2016, when they competed at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade.

Absent from the side as it enjoyed its eye-popping First Round, the country's two biggest stars are on a mission this month.

"We're all here to do everything we can to get to the World Cup," Vesely said to idnez.cz after Monday's practice. "It's a big scene, the best players in the world are there, it's not just EuroBasket, so it'd be great to get there."

Making it to China for next year's 32-team tournament is indeed a strong possibility thanks to the performances of the less heralded Czech players in the First Round.

Jaromir Bohacik, who turned 26 on May 26, revealed himself to be a tremendous asset, leading the team in scoring at 14.2 points per game while 2.17m (7ft 2in) center Ondrej Balvin, who'll be 26 on September 20, averaged 9.3 points and 7.7 rebounds.

Each played in all six games of the First Round and the team was the biggest surprise package in all of Europe with its 5-1 record. The Czechs relied on other emerging talents, but also gave more minutes to some veterans who proved their worth in a group that included Finland, Bulgaria and Iceland.

A top three finish in Group K is needed to punch a ticket for China. The Czechs enter Second Round play behind France (6-0) but ahead of Russia (3-3), Finland (3-3), Bulgaria and Bosnia and Herzegovina (both 2-4). They are ever so close to World Cup qualification.

"THE RUSSIANS ARE A STRONG TEAM THEMSELVES ... BUT WE PLAY AT HOME AND THAT CHANCE IS THERE. I HOPE THE FANS WILL SUPPORT US AND GIVE US THE STRENGTH TO PLAY THE BEST GAME."- Vesely

"I haven't played for two months, so I'm looking forward to it," he said. "I believe we'll be well prepared for Russia.

"The Russians are themselves a strong team and we will not be favorites. But we play at home and that chance is there. I hope the fans will support us and give us the strength to play the best game."

Vesely and Satoransky will also play at Bosnia and Herzegovina on September 16.

The fans are in for a treat. They'll remember Vesely from the FIBA EuroBaskets in 2013 and 2015, when he was a real crowd-pleaser.

No one appreciates playing with Fenerbahce big man Vesely more than Satoransky, who had a terrific 2017-18 season with the Washington Wizards.

"Honza's (Vesely's) biggest strength is the energy he brings to the team," Satoransky said.

While the duo will bring a lot of quality to the side, the challenge for coach Ronen Ginzburg will be to keep the others playing at a high level and not to take a backseat.

"It's important that the others play and also do well," he said.

"We have to pay attention to team chemistry because we haven't played for such a long time," Ginzburg said. "But as I always say, when the players are well prepared, this team can do great things."

FIBA