The top two teams in the tournament will earn a berth in the 2008 Olympics with the next four going into a further qualifying tournament and, while Slavnic admits qualification is his objective, he still has one eye on securing a medal.
"Our main goal is an Olympic berth, but I can't say I'm not interested in the medal," he said.
"Still, whatever we achieve in Spain, it will be the result of our own willingness for
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| Darko Milicic will be Serbia's only real presence in the middle. | ||||
"If (captain Milan) Gurovic, (guard Marko) Jaric and (center Darko) Milicic cooperate well among themselves, and with our youngsters as well, we'll be very dangerous."
Minnesota Timberwolves star Jaric is sure to be the centre of attention in the Serbian side and his coach has stressed his importance to his team's efforts.
"First, we must show our human qualities, and after that we must use our playing advantages," he added.
"For example, Jaric is a key player in this squad which has 10 players younger then 23. He must be the true boss on the court.
"The playmaker role in this team is a crucial one and Marko came from the league (NBA) where the best basketball is being played."
The Serbs played 12 games in 40 days as part of their preparation for the tournament and the coach thinks that will help his team in their crucial opener against Russia on September 3.
"I'm satisfied with our work. Especially with our physical condition," he said.
"We are full of strength, that's something that makes me really happy. We created that great 'chemistry' in our team, and we must use it to make our rivals frightened. If we don't succeed to keep that great atmosphere, we'll break like porcelain.
"That (Russia match) is our crucial match at the tournament. If we win that game, we'll gain extreme self-confidence.
"But, at the moment, I can't promise anything, I can only say that we'll do our best, not just in that clash with the Russians, in all other matches as well".
One problem that the coach has had to address during his preparations is the fact that he has just one center in his 12 man squad, although he believes his team have the strength to cope.
"We've faced that problem since our preparation started," he continued.
"So, we've tried to solve it during training with rotation of three power forwards. And, I think, we are pretty good in that system, our sudden and necessary 'plan B'.
"But, as I've said numerous times, harmony among our team members is the most important thing, a vital one for all our future successes".
As well as facing the Russians in group A Serbia must also face Greece and the team which win the qualifying tournament.
And, in a competition which Slavnic believes is wide open, he is refusing to take anybody for granted.
"We can't afford to underestimate our still-unknown rival from qualifications, who'll enter EuroBasket in real form.
"Sincerely, I would like the Macedonians or Bosnians to be our opponents in the preliminary phase (along with Russia and Greece).
"We can speak about our wishes, but wishes are one thing, and reality is something completely different.
"I think six teams will compete for the highest place, including Spain, as World Champions and hosts, then the Greeks who are reigning European Champions, or for example the Croats, who played against us (and defeated Serbia 84-76 at Bormio tournament)."
