Marcelinho Huertas has big ambitions heading into the FIBA World Championship. Coming off a season in which he helped fire Caja Laboral to the Spanish ACB title, Huertas played for the Brazilians four years ago when they made an unexpected early exit from the group stage in Japan. Huertas (interviewed by FIBATV.Com Friday) last year helped the Brazilians capture gold at the FIBA Americas Championship. They will take on Team USA, Slovenia, Croatia, Iran and Tunisia in Group B in Istanbul.
FIBA: Marcelinho, welcome to Istanbul. What can we expect from Brazil at this tournament?
"This is a very important challenge for our country as well as for all the players that took part in the last World Championship, where things didn't go that well. Now we have a more experienced team, that plays much better thanks to the European mentality of (former national team coach) Moncho Monsalve and (coach) Ruben Magnano. The team has more ambition and is very motivated."
FIBA: Brazil is in Group B alongside Team USA, Croatia, Iran, Tunisia and Slovenia. How challenging is this group going to be?
"We respect all of our rivals but we want to do well in the first round in order to avoid a complicated cross in the next round. We will not fear anyone and we will go to achieve our best. The key will be to win especially the games against the European teams and of course beat Tunisia and Iran. We will try to surprise USA, the key will be on defense where we have improved so much in recent years. On offense, we have a lot of options, but we must organise our game well. I think the good atmosphere inside the group is key for success."
FIBA: Brazil goes into the tournament as winners of the FIBA Americas Championship. How far can Brazil go in Turkey?
"The teams that are favourites are Spain, USA, Greece, Argentina and perhaps us. But there are many other good teams and I think it's going to be a levelled tournament, especially between the European superpowers."