Not much has changed for Israeli basketball since they began playing the game in Europe more than three decades ago - except the faces. A team which has always relied on fighting spirit, excellent shooting guards and speed, have always held those qualities sacred and that is the case going into next month's Eurobasket.

What has obviously changed over the years, though, are the faces. But even in that regard Muli Katzurin's troops are virtually the same, compared to the tournament in Turkey two years ago.

What Israel are banking on this time, however, is the improved toughness and firepower that a healthy Tal Burstein will bring.

The 23-year-old guard/forward who recently signed a three-year contract extension at Maccabi Tel Aviv was supposed to be a key contributor for the last Eurobasket but he was injured.

He goes into this year's event fit, and as a result the undisputed talisman. To put Burstein's value into perspective, one needs only consider the deal he has just signed to remain with Maccabi. The one million US dollars he will earn makes him the best paid player in the league. He could have earned more had he opted to accept a 1.3million dollar offer from rivals Hapoel Jerusalem.

One new face is causing an even bigger stir is guard Yotam Halperin. The 19-year-old shone at the Under-20 European Championship Qualifying Round in Spain last week. Though he is unlikely to receive a lot of playing time, Halperin will become only the second Israeli in the last 30 years to play for the national team before his 20th birthday.

Halperin's contributions for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the league championship confirmed for coach Muli Katzurin that he is going to be a vital player in the years ahead.

"I don't think we needed the tournament to show us that Halperin is the biggest talent to grow up here since Oded Katash," Katzurin told Haaretz.

Katash was a can't miss kid who jumped into the national spotlight eight years ago at the Under-22 Championships who later played for Maccabi but has had his career ruined by injuries.

"We had already booked him (Halperin) a place in the squad and I'm glad we weren't proven wrong," Katzurin said.

Burstein's injuries were a headache for national team last time so Katzurin is no doubt relieved that his extremely physical and versatile star is fit.

The national team players have been together for over a month in Tel Aviv where they have had two-a-day workouts. Katzurin, with Ukraine and Turkey among the sides his team will soon play in friendlies in the buildup to the tournament, is to trim his roster to his final Eurobasket squad next week.