REYKJAVIK (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) - Jon Stefansson might be moving closer to home, but that does not mean he is moving any closer to retirement, with a FIBA EuroBasket and then the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers in front of home fans looming.

Everything has gone according to plan for Stefansson following his return last summer to the first club he ever suited up for, following a career that his seen him playing in some of the biggest leagues in Europe, including Germany, Italy and Spain.

He excelled on the court for Reykjavik side KR in the 2016-17 campaign, doing a myriad of things night in and night out to help the team win games.

"I came home to play for my old team I grew up playing with, KR," Stefansson said to FIBA.com. "We won the Cup, league and the Icelandic Championship so yes, it met all my expectations."

Stefansson was named the Most Valuable Player of the Play-Off Finals after leading KR to a 3-2 series triumph over Grindavik.

There was also the important life decision he took when electing to return to Iceland.

"It's great to be back home with family and friends and I'm enjoying every moment," he said.

Basketball has been growing fast the last couple of years in Iceland. And I think the success of the national team has played a huge part in that. People have seen what we stand for and how hard we fight for each other on the court.Stefansson

It's safe to say that Iceland is also enjoying having Stefansson back. He's one of the country's heroes of the hardwood.

Stefansson helped the nation qualify for FIBA EuroBasket 2015. It was the first time it clinched a spot in the 24-team tournament.

Iceland showed that qualification was no fluke when last year, it booked a spot in FIBA EuroBasket 2017.

Iceland celebrate in Reykjavik after clinching a spot in EuroBasket 2017

Iceland will play in Group A in Helsinki against Finland, Poland, Greece, Slovenia and France. By clinching a spot in the tournament again, the country also ensured it would be a part of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers.

In a bid to become one of 12 teams from Europe to reach the 32-team World Cup in China in 2019, Iceland will in the First Round take on the Czech Republic, Finland and a side that comes out of the Pre-Qualifiers in Group F.

A top-three finish would put it into the Second Round of the World Cup Qualifiers against three teams that come out of a Group E that has France, Belgium and Russia and another of the sides that emerges from the Pre-Qualifiers.

The World Cup Qualifiers will keep the national team front and center in the public eye throughout the year.

The national team, Stefansson says, is helping raise awareness in the country to basketball.

"I really do get that sense," Stefansson said. "Basketball has been growing fast the last couple of years in Iceland. And I think the success of the national team has played a huge part in that. People have seen what we stand for and how hard we fight for each other on the court.

"They appreciate it and when you combine that with good results and qualifying for two European Championships, it brings the media along, basketball gets more coverage. Kids want to start playing, players get motivated to play for the national team and become better."

Iceland fans remember their team fighting hard in Berlin at FIBA EuroBasket 2015 but losing all five games. At this year's FIBA EuroBasket, Helsinki is going to be a tough pool to get a win in, too, although Iceland may be better equipped to deal with the big stage this time.

"The team is excited," Stefansson said. "We know it's going to be a difficult task but the experience from Berlin hopefully gives us a better chance to get a win in another extremely difficult group. If we play with the same intensity and heart and add some experience to that mix, we have a better chance to win a game."

Iceland threw a scare into Italy at FIBA EuroBasket 2015 but lost by seven

The most important aspect to Iceland's emergence is that they now face the best teams of Europe. A chance to host World Cup Qualifiers is a terrific opportunity for the country.

In the first qualifying window, Iceland will play on November 24 at the Czech Republic before returning home for a game three days later against a side that comes out of the Pre-Qualifiers.

The second window promises to be very exciting for Iceland as they will be at home for two games, clashes with Finland on February 22 and the Czechs on February 25.

Iceland will have a tough finish, however, with the conclusion to the First Round coming away from home. The Craig Pedersen-coached team will play at the side that comes through the Pre-Qualifiers on June 29 and then at Finland on July 2.

"We are always going to be the underdog, of course," Stefansson said. "But we like the draw and we feel like we have a chance to compete with our opponents. It will be fun to play in Iceland in front of our fans on this large stage."

As for the possibility of crossing over with Group E, he said: "Very difficult of course. But our goal and focus is to play well in Group F and try to get in the top three."

There is a combativeness to the Icelandic approach that has to be taken into account by all of their opponents. The team has key ingredients for any team that aspires to be successful.

"Our hunger to win a game, camaraderie and spirit of the team," Stefansson said. "Also we have a unique style of play that can surprise many teams."

Before FIBA EuroBasket 2015, Stefansson sensed the tournament might mark the end of his playing days with the national team but here he is, gearing up for another big summer in the Iceland jersey.

In fact, there is no end in sight.

"It is going to be extremely difficult to quit playing with the national team," he said. "That's the time when I enjoy the most playing basketball and being a part of a major tournament like a EuroBasket is something I'm truly thankful for.

"But it has to come to an end and that end is near. We will see how young I feel after EuroBasket."

FIBA