Andrei Kirilenko wasn't able to help Russia last year at the EuroBasket because he and his wife were in the lengthy process of adopting a baby in his homeland.

The EuroBasket 2007 MVP will be back with the national side at the FIBA World Championship but right now, he's just trying to get back on the court with the Utah Jazz after coming down with back spasms in a game last weekend against Portland.

The Jazz will play at Sacramento on Friday night and Kirilenko hopes to be able to play.

"I plan to play in Sacramento," Kirilenko said.

"(The back) really feels better...We're going to have to see how it feels tonight (Thursday) and at game time."

Kirilenko isn't the only reason why European fans are monitoring the Utah Jazz.

The club also has Greek center Kostas Koufos and Ukrainian pivot Kyrylo Fesenko.

While seven-footer Koufos has failed to get off the bench in Utah's last nine games to add to a frustrating second season, the 7ft 1in, 300lb Fesenko has been given a chance of late and raised eyebrows.

In the February 21 game at Portland that saw Kirilenko leave with his  back spasms, Fesenko played 25 minutes and had eight points and six rebounds in a 93-89 Jazz triumph.

Two days later against the Atlanta Hawks in Salt Lake City, Fesenko scored nine  points and pulled down six boards in 15 minutes of the Hawks' 105-100 triumph.

The 23-year-old Fesenko knows he needs to make the most of his opportunities as he will be a free agent at the end of the season.

"I don't know what's going to happen, honestly," Fesenko said in the Salt Lake City Tribune.

"I'm really looking forward to the next games, like the rest of the season, but it is what it is,".

Fesenko played for  Ukraine last summer in the Relegation Round of EuroBasket Division A and averaged 7.3 points and 4.7 rebounds.