The Coach of New Zealand, Nenad Vucinic, is used to challenging his team to come out in to their shells and play the way he always wanted for the benefit of their name and country.  The Tall Blacks did not fail in responding to the call of their determined coach - the result, a 73-61 victory over Ukraine. This keeps the 2002 FIBA World Championship Semi-Finalists in the thirst for a spot in the top four of Group C; a one way ticket to the Round of 16 in Barcelona.

"Well we know our progress depends on a lot of other results. But the important thing we have in our hand is to win (against Finland on Thursday)," said Vucinic. "It won't be easy, with 8,000 fans against us. But that's the challenge we have." Kirk Penney. "The coach challenged us last night. He challenged us to play the way we are capable of," he said. "We had a meeting and he challenged us to play much better and execute much better. Now feel we are back in business. The Kiwis have a win under their belt now, but for Vucinic there is still a lot to do."

"We had our backs to the wall and the team responded well. Unfortunately, we still have our backs to the wall," he said. We have another game at hand and we need to win it. It's as simple as that." - Vucinic Casey Frank. "Isaac did very well in the first half with his pick and pop jumpers keep us in. It helped us turn it on offensively," said the 36-year-old.

 "We were playing for our lives. We were very passionate about it. Some of the guys may have kept it within; not me certainly." Frank looks forward to playing against the Finland, who will ride high on fan power. "We wouldn't have it any other way," he said. "All those fans cheering against you in a full house that's what make basketball fun."

(Source: 2014 FIBA Official Website)