Sweden will first face the Czech Republic at Hovet on July 3 and then Slovenia away three days later. Two wins are likely needed to advance to the next stage of the World Cup qualifiers – and the blue-and-yellow squad that was presented on Thursday could hardly be stronger.
Miami Heat star Pelle Larsson, who was part of Sweden's run to the round of 16 in last year's European Championship, will be joined by NBA-qualified Bobi Klintman.
Gift taken out
The squad is also spiced up with 21-year-old standout Elliot Cadeau, the finals' most valuable player when Michigan won the U.S. college championship. In addition, veteran Viktor Gaddefors makes a comeback, after not playing for the blue-and-yellow since the European Championship.
It's only positive that we have these names, but we shouldn't fool ourselves into thinking that it automatically gives us a better chance of winning, says Mikko Riipinen.
We have to fulfil our potential and play like we have for the last five years, with a lot of heart and something to prove all the time. If we do that, this is a really sharp squad with an incredibly high standard.
“Can take huge steps”
When presenting the World Cup qualifying squad, the national captain repeatedly used the word potential. The big challenge will be to put together a functioning team in a short period of time, as the squad is assembled just four days before the match against the Czech Republic.
In the long term, Riipinen hopes to get even more out of the talented national team.
It would be particularly exciting if, over time, we could have many of these players available and be able to play them together. Then I believe we would become a nation that, without making too many big words, could take huge steps in European basketball and really assert ourselves.
Denzel Andersson (Obradoiro), Zaba Bangala (Kangoeroes), Simon Birgander (Joventut), Tobias Borg (Palencia), Elliot Cadeau (Michigan), Wilhelm Falk (Murcia), Viktor Gaddefors (New Taipei), Ludvig Håkanson (Juventus), Bobi Klintman (free agent), Pelle Larsson (Miami Heat), Barra Njie (Löwen Braunschweig), Oskar Palmquist (Borås), Melwin Pantzar (Bilbao), Kenny Pohto (Kedainiu Nevezis).
