Forward Joao Santos joined Portugal's senior side eight years ago - exactly at the same time as former coach Valentyn Melnychuck.

So of all the Portuguese internationals, there really is no one better to talk about Melnychuk, who recently returned to his native Ukraine to coach their national side.

"[Melnychuck's nomination for the Ukraine job] is a reward as he returned home through the big door after so many sacrifices away from home," Santos said to FIBA Europe.

"He helped us to create an even group of players. He taught us so many things."

What were some of Melnychuk's qualities that Joao Santos will miss?

"He is a very patient and experienced person, very polite and correct with players and everyone," Santos said.

Speaking of patience, Melnychuk coached in Portugal for 15 years before getting the chance to lead the national side.

Both Joao Santos and Melnychuk played important roles in the country's rise to basketball prominence, helping it qualify for EuroBasket 2007 after an absence of 56 years.

Portugal then beat Latvia and Israel in Spain.

What about the future?

Before Moncho Lopez was appointed this week to coach Portugal, Joao Santos admitted he didn't know what the federation was planning.

What he did understand, however, was the feelings of the players.

"I do not know what the FPB's (Portuguese Basketball Federation's) ambition is," he said.

"Our qualification for the EuroBasket made our players very ambitious. I think that the new coach‘s profile should reach the players' ambition.

"We want to qualify for the EuroBasket 2009, for sure. If I am selected to play, I will hope to contribute to make it possible."