Sweden took the first step towards keeping their Division A status until 2007 with victory over Poland at the relegation tournament in Novi Sad on Sunday night.

The tournament, which features Sweden, Poland and the Netherlands, will determine the two teams which will be relegated to Division B, as only the winner will get to stay in Division A.

Anwil Wloclawek Head Coach Andrej Urlep has emerged as a candidate to coach the Poland's men's national team.

Polish Basketball Association chairman Marek Palus announced on Tuesday that Urlep is among five contenders for the post.

Czech Republic boss Michael Jezdik knows his team couldn't have gotten off to a better start following their resounding win over Poland.

The Czechs rolled to an 82-57 victory, with Ladislav Sokolovsky pouring in 22 points in Nymburk.