Basketball: Egypt facing World Cup mission impossible after 20-year absence

Egypt face a tough task at the FIBA World Cup in Spain after ending a 20-year absence from the prestigious tournament

Egypt are back in the international fold after a lengthy absence but they are expected to be given a reality check after being drawn in one of the toughest groups at the FIBA World Cup in Spain.
The Pharaohs are World Cup-hungry after ending a 20-year absence but the euphoria that followed their second-place finish at the Africa Championship last year will take a back seat as they embark on a much tougher mission.
Egypt launch their campaign on Saturday when they face Serbia in Group A opener, which will mark their first World Cup appearance since they finished 14th in Canada in 1994.
Serbia, who finished fourth at the last World Cup, are not the only stern test Egypt will face in their group after they were paired with hosts Spain, who are second in FIBA ranking, European champions France, Brazil and Asian champions Iran.
On paper, Egypt do not have a ghost of a chance of advancing to the second round.
However, coach Amr Abou El-Kheir and his players are determined to perform well, without setting high expectations.
"It's one of the strongest groups in the tournament," Abou El-Kheir told FIBA.com
"For sure we have Spain with us. It's really a strong group, but I think the fans will have a good time watching the games.
"Our aim is to play good basketball. It's our first time in 20 years to reach the finals of the World Cup."
Abou El-Kheir molded an exciting young team built around the likes of Haytham Kamal, Moustafa El-Mekawi , Youssef Shousha and Amr Gendy.
Few veteran players kept their place in the squad, including team skipper Wael Badr (36 years) and Sherif Genedy (35 years).
"We are a young team with big dreams," says Egypt's pivot Ibrahim El-Gammal.
"Our team consists of a group of young players, who might miss the world stage experience factor, but we are full of big dreams and hope to achieve a lot more with upcoming championships."
Egypt were hit by the injury of star Assem Maraey, who was ruled out of the tournament. He is still recovering from a knee injury and the efforts of the team's medical staff to get him fit in time for the World Cup were in vain.
Marey was instrumental in Egypt's campaign during the Africa Championship in the Ivory Coast, where Egypt finished second after losing to Angola in the final.
"Unfortunately Assem will not be able to join us in the World Cup," said El-Gammal.
"As a key and effective player for us, we - as a team - will definitely miss him.
Despite the difficult task ahead of him, Egypt are determined to make a good impression in the tournament.
"I think we must show good basketball to the whole world," Abou El-Kheir added.
"The World Cup is a big thing for Egyptians. They need to be there, need to have a nice time. They need to start to go to a new world."
Egypt were the dominant force in Africa in the 1960s and 70s but suffered a dip in form in the subsequent decades.
They swept to a stunning EuroBasket triumph in 1949 after clinching the gold medal on home soil. They also finished third at the same tournament two years earlier in Prague.
Egypt will make their sixth World Cup appearance. Their best position was a fifth-place finish at the 1950 edition in Buenos Aires.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports.)
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/109312.aspx