Sweden will enter the Eurobasket 2005 Additional Qualifying Round under new leadership. Jan Enjebo, who took charge of the side at Eurobasket 2003, has stepped down from his head coaching duties and will be replaced by Kostas Flevarakis.

Flevarakis, 36, a native of Greece, learned his trade with Greek giants PAOK Thessaloniki. He served as an assistant coach under Scott Skiles (now with the Chicago Bulls), Zwi Sherf and Petar Skansi.

In 1999, he took over as head coach and led PAOK to the 2000 Greek finals. This year he moved to Sweden and league side Akropol.

Flevarakis earned huge plaudits for his work this season. In just its second season in the top flight Basketligan, Akropol confounded all expectations, making it all the way to the play-off semi-finals.

Despite having the lowest budget in the league, and limping through the regular season with an 11-19 record, Akropol pulled off sensational play-off defeats in the eighth-finals against Ockelbo and quarter-finals against the Solna Vikings.

Flevarkis' side eventually succumbed to the Sundsvall Dragons in the semi-finals, a team coached by Christer Stjernborg.

Stjernborg and Fleverarkis' paths are destined cross again this summer. Stjernborg has been appointed to the national team to work as an assistant under Fleverakis.

One of Sweden's most experienced coaches, Stjernborg has worked with Swedish national youth teams since 1987. He made his debut in 1993 with the Capitals, who went on to defeat Zalgiris Kaunas to win the NEBT, a precursor to the NEBL.

"The Swedish Basketball Federation is really happy to engage these two coaches" said Secretary General, Lena Wallin-Kantzy.

"We are hoping for the team to win against Hungary and Portugal in August/September which will give us a opportunity to play in Serbia for Eurobasket 2005."