EUROBASKET 2011

Goran Dragic had a stellar EuroBasket 2009 and more is expected of him this year

Group D of EuroBasket 2011 might not be the most glamorous one but for three teams, maybe even four, this is a unique chance to make a historical performance, and where historical performances happen emotions play a big role.

While Russia and Slovenia are the clear favourites in this group there's still a spot for one more team to make the trip to Vilnius for the next round.

Ukraine, Belgium, Georgia and Bulgaria - four teams with very little EuroBasket tradition in modern times - will fight for that shinny third spot and all four know this chance might not be available again in the near future.

Belgium v Georgia - Wednesday at 15:30

Belgium and Georgia will get the chance to celebrate the first game in Klaipeda in what will be already a historical happening.

Belgium participated in just one EuroBasket since 1979 and even that single time was 18 years ago.

For Georgia this is their first-ever EuroBasket appearance and both teams know this is a good chance to start the competition with a good momentum.

A last-minute injury to Axel Hervelle has the star of Belgium out of EuroBasket and their ability to recover quickly from that big absence will influence their future in Klaipeda.

Belgium lost their last seven preparation games before coming here but close defeats to Germany, Greece and Turkey keep them optimistic.

Georgia, led by big guy Zaza Pachulia, beat Israel and Latvia (when Pachulia scored 42 points) and lost by just eight points to Lithuania in the last week before EuroBasket and their hopes to register a historical win are high.

Slovenia v Bulgaria - Wednesday at 18:00

The second game of the day will feature Slovenia and Bulgaria.

Slovenia was one point short of making the title game in 2009 and return with a list of stars such as Goran Dragic, Jaka Lakovic, Erazem Lorbek and Matjaz Smodis.

In Bulgaria, things are a bit different, as they took part in EuroBasket in 2009 and 2005, but the last time they won a game in the tournament was over 26 years ago.

No less than 9,580 days passed between then and today as Bulgaria are seeking to break the long streak.

Two close loses to Italy and a win over Israel in the preparations suggest Bulgaria might have something to offer with the Ivanov twins - Deyan and Kaloyan - are ready to make things happen for their side.

Russia v Ukraine - Wednesday at 21:00

The last game of the day will feature the winners of EuroBasket 2007 - Russia - now back with force taking on their neighbours from the west - Ukraine.

After missing this tournament two years ago, EuroBasket 2007 MVP Andrei Kirilenko is back with his team and, together with Viktor Khryapa and Sergey Monya, he will re-create the scary three-way forwards combo that now will enjoy the presence of big guy Timofey Mozgov as well.

Ukraine feature Oleksiy Pechrov and Kyrylio Fesenko in their first EuroBasket appearance since 2005, though their last win was exactly 10 years minus one day ago on 1 September 2001.

This game will also feature a rare occasion in EuroBasket as coaches of both teams are US-born.

Russia will have the 2007 crowned David Blatt in his third EuroBasket while Mike Fratello will be baptised in this European Championship.