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Originally from FIBA: Link to article
Anderson Varejao eyes medal in Japan
/noticias.info/ RIO DE JANEIRO (FIBA World Championship) - Anderson Varejao claims Brazil will be aiming for more than just qualification for the Olympics at the FIBA World Championship as they seek to win a medal.
The Cleveland forward has the NBA play-offs to contend with first as the Cavaliers prepare for their first post-season play since 1998, but Varejao is also looking ahead to this summer's competition in Japan.
"We'll go to Japan with two goals," he said. "Firstly, to book a place at the Olympic Games. And second, we'll fight for a place on the podium."
Speaking to the Brazilian Basketball Confederation's official website www.cbb.com.br, Varejao added: "We all know it is difficult to achieve that, but it is our mission.
"We want to represent Brazil and fight with all our might to secure a good result at the end of the tournament."
Varejao has fought his way back to form after suffering a shoulder injury at the Tournament of the Americas, a problem which sidelined him for almost five months and he admits was of great concern.
"The injury was serious and I found it very difficult to control my anxiety. The doctors were very patient with me and it was very important to me."
Brazil have been drawn in Group C along with Lithuania, Greece, Turkey, Qatar and Australia, and Varejao believes his country are capable of topping the group.
"It's a difficult group to get out of, but we'll fight for the top spot, respecting our rivals but not fearing them," he said.
"We'll play against high-quality nations who will force us to play our best basketball. Everybody knows it will not be easy because nothing is in the World Championship.
"But we have a strong team who like to be together and to play together, who are more and more experienced with every day and whose players are showing their qualities for their teams in Brazil, Europe or America."
/noticias.info/ RIO DE JANEIRO (FIBA World Championship) - Anderson Varejao claims Brazil will be aiming for more than just qualification for the Olympics at the FIBA World Championship as they seek to win a medal.
The Cleveland forward has the NBA play-offs to contend with first as the Cavaliers prepare for their first post-season play since 1998, but Varejao is also looking ahead to this summer's competition in Japan.
"We'll go to Japan with two goals," he said. "Firstly, to book a place at the Olympic Games. And second, we'll fight for a place on the podium."
Speaking to the Brazilian Basketball Confederation's official website www.cbb.com.br, Varejao added: "We all know it is difficult to achieve that, but it is our mission.
"We want to represent Brazil and fight with all our might to secure a good result at the end of the tournament."
Varejao has fought his way back to form after suffering a shoulder injury at the Tournament of the Americas, a problem which sidelined him for almost five months and he admits was of great concern.
"The injury was serious and I found it very difficult to control my anxiety. The doctors were very patient with me and it was very important to me."
Brazil have been drawn in Group C along with Lithuania, Greece, Turkey, Qatar and Australia, and Varejao believes his country are capable of topping the group.
"It's a difficult group to get out of, but we'll fight for the top spot, respecting our rivals but not fearing them," he said.
"We'll play against high-quality nations who will force us to play our best basketball. Everybody knows it will not be easy because nothing is in the World Championship.
"But we have a strong team who like to be together and to play together, who are more and more experienced with every day and whose players are showing their qualities for their teams in Brazil, Europe or America."
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