Iran basketball coach Dirk Bauermann says that his team is not afraid of any team in the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Iran will open the campaign with a match against Greece in Group A on Monday.

The Persians will also play Mexico on Tuesday.

The top two sides will advance to the Final Round to meet the top two sides from Group B, which includes Tunisia, Croatia and Italy.

The first-place team in Group A will take on the second-place team from Group B in one semi-final, and the side that comes top of Group B will go up against the second-top team in Group A in the other semi-final. 
The winners will them meet in a do-or-die showdown for a spot in the Olympics.

“We are in good condition at the moment and well-prepared for the competition. Iran won the title of the West Asia Basketball Association (WABA) with a group of young players. Nobody thought we would win the tournament. We also won the 2016 International Basketball Challenge in China,” Bauermann said.

“Lithuania and Latvia training camps has helped us a lot and our young players gained experience, though we still have a long way to go,” the German coach added.

“Greece is an experienced team and its players have played in Euroleague. Also, three Greek players are playing in NBA; however anything can happen in the match. We will play to win the match and will be focused to start the competition with a victory,” Bauermann added.

“We are not afraid of Greece because we’ve already defeated the good teams. Without a doubt, my players think so,” Bauermann stated.

MH/MH