CARACAS, Feb. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Venezuela's national basketball team officials gave reporters on Monday in Caracas details of a series of games it will play in the run up to the 2006 basketball world championship, as well as hosting the South American championship.

    Carmelo Cortez, president of the Venezuelan Basketball Federation, said that Venezuela wants to be as ready as possible for the 2006 world championship, the team's third, having placed at 11th in 1990 and 14th in 2002.

    "Our intention is to be as well-prepared as possible... because our goal is to be in the top 10 in the Japan World Championships," Cortez said. "We are hoping to be able to play some friendly games in June, in Spain and Greece, to complete our preparations."

    The Venezuelan team will fly to Italy in mid-June to play a four-way with the Czech Republic, Lithuania and hosts Italy that runs from June 20 to June 22. After a two-day break, the team will play another four-way with France, China and Italy.

    Cortez said that Venezuela is keen to play France, as the two are both in group A of the Japan-based world championship.

    Venezuela said it wants to play friendlies with Spain and Greece after the two four-way tournaments, and then return to Caracas by July 10, where Venezuela hosts the South American championship between July 14 and July 21.

    The team will then fly to Argentina, where they will play in the Super Four tournament, alongside New Zealand, Brazil and Argentina. Venezuela wants to play one more four-way contest, this time in Slovenia, after the Argentine tournament.

    Venezuela is in Group A alongside France, Lebanon, Nigeria and Sebia and Montenegro in the Japan championship. Enditem