Estonia are being allowed to dream.

Things were looking a little bleak for Tiit Sokk`s men when they finished a distant third in their group during the first round of qualifying for EuroBasket, which starts in Spain next month.

A one-point upset of Croatia in their final qualifying game last year suggested Estonia could hit the heights when they wanted.

		Kristjan Kangur's 11 points and seven rebounds were key in Estonia's win over F.Y.R. Macedonia.

Now they appear to have found a little consistency, winning their opening two games in the additional qualifying round that has given them a good chance of playing at the bi-annual EuroBasket.

Guard Gregor Arbethas pointed to the returning veterans Gert Kullaeme and Martin Muursepp - who is averaging 15 points for his first two games - for giving Estonia a shot in the arm.

"The fact that Gert Kullamae and Martin Muursepp joined the team has helped us a lot," he said.

"Gert can say the right thing at the right time - both good things and criticism. The whole atmosphere feels much more relaxed, the team works well without conflicts, we support each other a lot.

"Also, our game level has gone up and we have more boys on the bench who can step in and do it well."

Assistant coach Ullar Kerde also praised the veteran pairing, telling Estonian daily Postimees: "When they joined the team, it kind of gave the other players hope and reassured them that they have someone they can count on when things get tough.

"The atmosphere is just as important as that. Everyone in the team helps each other and thinks the same way.

"I think it's strictly down to the fact that we just didn't give up. Nothing comes from nothing, we have just worked hard on this for a couple of years."

Having said that, the doubts were there as a hangover from last year`s disappointing displays.

Question marks were raised by the players about Sokk`s tactics prior to the defeat of Sweden, but the win dispelled any fears.

"The game showed that the coaches were right all along," said Arbet.

Kerde concurred: "Our knowledge of basketball is not good enough for the players to take things into their own hands individually - the strength lies in the teamwork."

That emphasis on teamwork is never more evident than in the devastating move under the basket known as the `Number One`.

It frees up Muursepp who, taking a few steps from the right-hand side of the free throw line, would make his way under the basket, take a pass and score easily from there.

This worked brilliantly against Macedonians on Monday - four attempts out of six were successful - one of them at a crucial time, three-and-a-half minutes before the final whistle.

According to legend, it is a play exclusively deployed by the Estonian team for the past half-century.

"This combination is an absolute phenomenon of Estonian basketball," captain Kullamae told Estonian daily SL Ohtuleht.

"Funnily enough, it only works with Estonian players."

Muursepp was in no mood to disagree.

"It is really a good combination, and only Estonian players can pull it off so that it looks natural - even though we never really practice it," he smiled.