One reason why each team in Kaunas can qualify for the 2020 Olympics

KAUNAS (Lithuania) - The goal is simple: win the tournament and qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament.

That's the aim for all six nations that have gathered in Kaunas, but what separates each team from the others?

GROUP A

LITHUANIA

Lithuania can rely on that extra support as they have home advantage in Kaunas with a chance to maintain their proud long run of appearances at the Olympics. Their squad is stout, too, with Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas uniting.  Following their strong seasons in the NBA there will be an air of expectancy amongst a crowd desperate to see high-level international basketball again.

"We are playing in our home arena with our fans so this is one of the main reasons for us. To have 75-percent of our fans inside the arena will be a great feeling,"  said Lithuanian point guard Rokas Jokubaitis. "Of course, we also have a pretty good roster so we are feeling good. We are ready, and we know that this is a big challenge."

KOREA

Korea will not hang around wondering as they look to dictate the pace in Kaunas. They may also have a slight competitive edge in the sense they bring the same 12 that played in the recent FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers that took place in the Philippines. Guna Ra provides a strong presence inside with several threats from the perimeter to enhance their offense.

"Our main strength is our speed, energy and shooting. We have some great shooters on this team. We like to play defense and get out and run on the fast break so we have to take advantage of that," said Guna Ra, center. "It would mean a lot [to qualify]. It would be great for the team, it would be great for our fans and especially great for the country."

VENEZUELA

Venezuela have been there, done that. They have the experience of competing at an Olympics five years ago in Rio with a group that is full of veteran leaders ready to once again give their all for the national team. Venezuela had success away from home in the FIBA AmeriCup 2022 Qualifiers and will look to rise to the initial challenge of being up against the hosts.

"What makes our team special is the fact that we have been playing together for about 10 years. We have been to an Olympics before, we know what it takes to get to that level," said Venezuelan guard David Cubillan. "We know what we're good at and what we're bad at, that’s something that will help us throughout the tournament."

GROUP B

ANGOLA

Angola have not arrived in Kaunas as one of the favorites to qualify for the Olympics, but that will not detract from their own hopes of securing a spot in Tokyo. They have a mix of youth and experience with some players into the spotlight for the first time and Angola will feel like they have nothing to lose as they look to cause an upset or two this week.

"We've worked really hard for this opportunity. Everybody wants to represent their country. The Olympics you can only have one shot at it. Even if we have a one-percent chance of making it, we would take it to be here,"  said Angolan center Yanick Moreira. "We have a young group. This is going to be their first experience of international basketball. The energy is there. The less mistakes we make, the better and we will leave it all on the court."

POLAND

Consistency has been key for Poland in recent years as they build that continuity on the international stage. They impressed in China at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 and have momentum to build upon in order to end a 40+ year wait to return to the Olympics with stars such as AJ Slaughter and Mateusz Ponitka to lead the charge.

"We know there are great teams here but we believe that our time together and our core over the years puts us in an advantage and is going to pay off at some point. Our team play is our strength and the Olympics has been a dream goal for us," said head coach Mike Taylor. "We've had consistency in our rosters throughout the windows and all the different competitions. We know each other, we know the system and we have the confidence to draw from that we’ve been on the big stage before and we’ve delivered."

SLOVENIA

The arrival of Luka Doncic in camp undoubtedly gave the team a lift and confidence will be sky-high as they chase an Olympics debut in Tokyo. The likes of Klemen Prepelic, Edo Muric, Jaka Blazic and Vlatko Cancar also have fond memories from their EuroBasket triumph in 2017 when Doncic last played for the national team. From one Luka on another:

"The fact is that we have the best player in the world," said fellow Slovenian guard Luka Rupnik. "I consider that we have the best chemistry as well. The coaches have prepared us well and we are ready. It is one of the life goals to qualify for the Olympics. We are going to do everything in our powers to achieve that."

FIBA