VALENCIA (Jeff Taylor's Eurovision) - The countdown is well and truly on for the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

In just 83 days, the tournament tips off in Granada, Seville, Bilbao and Gran Canaria.

If you have a deep appreciation for all things international basketball, the hairs, one by one, are starting to stand up on the back of your neck because incredible and unforgettable moments always happen at this event.

There have been highs, last enjoyed by the USA when they reached the top of the podium at the World Championship in Turkey in 2010, and plenty of lows.

There is also the odd mixture of emotions that can occur, like in 2006 when Spain edged Argentina in a Semi-Final but lost Pau Gasol to injury, robbing the country's beloved NBA star of an appearance in the title game.

It's not just about the players, but the fans.

Nothing sets my pulse racing at this event like the drums in the Lithuanian supporters' section, the beating of which helped the national team turn a wild card appearance into a bronze medal in 2010.

I wanted a Lithuanian passport after their coach-turned-philosopher, Kestutis Kemzura, explained how the team had rebounded from a nightmare EuroBasket 2009 and overcome a lost of pre-tournament negativity in the media.

"I like to compare the basketball game with a life, with a country's life, with a people's life, and our country got a lot of, how to say, downs and tough moments," Kemzura said.

"But we survive. We survive.

"You can, you know, you can beat us, you can win, but you cannot destroy us. And this is amazing."

World Cups are about national pride and Lithuania usually have it in abundance.

Speaking of pride, that of Tony Parker was challenged last year at the EuroBasket when France's nemesis Spain were whipping Les Bleus 34-20 in their Semi-Final showdown.

France had played the first 20 minutes as if they had deer-in-headlights syndrome.

Parker challenged his teammates in a now famous locker room speech at half-time, and among his comments was this gem: "I don't care what happens in the second half, even if we lose, but at least we play with pride and we play hard. If we lose, it doesn't matter, that's life. But I would rather we lose knowing that we fought rather than playing like this when we're getting destroyed."

France battled back, forced overtime and then won 75-72.

They drilled Lithuania next to capture their first EuroBasket crown.

I mention this Parker story because you have to wonder how France are going to do without him this summer when they take on Spain, Serbia, Brazil, Iran and Egypt in Group A.

Who is going to be the leader? Boris Diaw is the captain, but others in the squad for several years include Nicolas Batum and Nando de Colo. Are they going to hold their teammates accountable when the going gets tough?

I bumped into De Colo this week and was struck by the maturity in his voice when I asked him about the EuroBasket title.

"We need to forget a little bit about what we did and focus on what we're going to do and try to be ready," he said.

"I think the first point will be to make a good preparation."

One national team that is looking to hit back from a disappointing EuroBasket 2013 is Greece.

Will they, I wonder?

They have yet to confirm that Fotis Katsikaris is going to replace Andrea Trinchieri as coach.

On Thursday night, I asked forward Kostas Papanikolaou of Barcelona if this was unsettling.

"For sure (I hope they announce it soon)," he said.

"Not knowing who is the coach, it's a little bit like not knowing what's going to happen. Of course, when you know who the coach is, you settle things down and you start thinking about the team and about everything but this is not my job. I'm just trying to focus on the playoffs here in Spain right now and that's the only thing on my mind."

One team that always gives important players to the national side is Papanikolaou's former club, Olympiacos.

Well, the Reds are going into the summer on a down note after falling 82-71 to Panathinaikos in a Game 5 decider in the Greek title series.

Lithuania international Jonas Maciulis led Panathinaikos with 15 points.

The French title was also clinched this week by Limoges with a 3-0 sweep of Strasbourg, the team coached by France national team boss Vincent Collet.

Limoges have now won the championship 10 times, but it was their first championship in 14 years.

Former Paris-Levallois coach Jean Marc-Dupraz was an immediate hit at the helm of Limoges after replacing Panagiotis Giannakis last summer. 

Jeff Taylor

FIBA

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