Latvia international Grazulis expects nothing less than victory in Qualifiers for Parma

ISTANBUL (FIBA Europe Cup/FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - There will not be much time for Andrejs Grazulis to get to know his new Parma teammates before the FIBA Europe Cup campaign tips off, with the 24-year-old power forward from Latvia still representing his country atFIBA EuroBasket 2017.

Having spent his whole career in Latvia, the Koknese-born big man will be moving to Perm in Russia as soon as the national team's strong run in Istanbul comes to an end. However, that will give him just a couple of days to get ready for the first leg of the Qualification Round 1 clash against Rabotnicki.

"I will try to make it," laughs Grazulis, who will be preoccupied with national team duties right until September 17 if Latvia defeat Slovenia in the Quarter-Finals and advance into the medal games.

For his new club, the European journey begins just four days later, but it is understandable that the task at hand is top of the priority list. That being said, the first stop away from home is something he is looking forward to with great enthusiasm.

"I am looking forward to my first season abroad a lot, but we need to finish FIBA EuroBasket 2017 with good results and then I can start thinking about other things," said the forward, who is playing in his first major tournament for the senior national team. "We are just taking games one by one and trying not to look too far ahead."

Having entered the Final Phase as the second seed from Group D, Latvia snatched up an easy 100-68 victory over Montenegro in the Quarter-Finals. In his first major international tournament with the senior national team, Grazulis is yet to earn the rank on the team but is enjoying the unique experience.

"It's nice. I like the atmosphere, the games. Everything is great. We are prepared for every game and it's not much different than during the season. It's a bit different of an experience because I have better players on my side. They make it easier." 

Having only swapped out athletics for organized basketball at the age of 16, the player has made steady progress the past couple of years, that eventually landed him a spot on the national team roster.

"I think I have made improvements, but not in a huge way. There's still a lot to work on, like my shot, reading the game. Playing for Ventspils in the Basketball Champions League was a great experience at a high level," Grazulis explained.

It is not a coincidence that he ended up in Perm, with his decision heavily influenced by the fact that Latvian specialist Nikolajs Mazurs got the head coach position at the club at the beginning of the summer.

"The coach was probably among the decisive factors. He offered a style of play that suits me and which I would like to play in. I think we will have a good system over there. I don't expect anything less than a win when we play in the Qualification Rounds."

FIBA