Russia's EuroBasket 2007 hopes have been hit by the withdrawal of star forward Andrei Kirilenko from their qualifying campaign.

The 206 cm Utah Jazz man is taking time out to work on his game but insists he will return if his team-mates manage to reach next year's tournament in Spain.

"This was a hard decision for me," the 25-year-old told Sport Express. "Many people probably don't understand my decision and will condemn me.

"I've always played for the national team with pleasure and will do that in future, but this year is the only one when the team must manage without me."

Russia are expected to qualify for the tournament but they are in a difficult qualifying Group C with Hungary, the Czech Republic and Belgium.

		“	I've always played for the national team with pleasure and will do that in future	„
		Andrei Kirilenko

Kirilenko's decision comes a month after the Russian basketball federation appointed Benetton Treviso boss David Blatt the side's new head coach, following a disappointing EuroBasket last year which saw them fail to qualifying for this summer`s FIBA World Championship in Japan.

Kirilenko hopes fellow NBA stars Viktor Khryapa and Sergei Monia will make up for his withdrawal.

"I know that Viktor Khryapa and Sergei Monia are keen to help the team at the EuroBasket qualifying stage and it means my absence won't noticeably weaken the team, he said.

"I'm sure Russia will qualify for the final round but I'd like to use this as the only opportunity to improve my individual skills."

Despite losing such a key player so early in his tenure, Blatt was philosophical.

"We've talked with Kirilenko and I respect his decision," he said.

"Andrei wants to do some work to improve some components of his play. He won't play at the qualifying tournament of the European Championship 2007 but it doesn`t mean he's leaving the team.

"He will come back next year and will play at the final round of EuroBasket 2007. Kirilenko has done much for Russian basketball and for the national team in particular. Of course, we count on him in the future."

Meanwhile, the BFR have unveiled the preparation schedule for the team ahead of the qualifiers.

There will be two training camps, the first to be held in Kazan between July 15 and 24, and the second in Treviso between August 10 and 14.

The team will also play 10 friendlies: Supercup of the Federations in Vilnius, Lithuania (July 31 - August 2); friendly tournaments in Spain (August 5-6) and Bulgaria (August 22-24); and two games against Croatia in Zagreb (August 15 and 17).

The team will play their home EuroBasket qualifiers in Kazan (August 31 against Hungary) and in Perm (September 6 against Czech Republic and September 13 against Belgium).

Team manager Sergei Tarakanov told the Russian federation's official website: "Russia's national team seldom play outside Moscow that's why I think the decision to play home games in Kazan and Perm is justified.

"Moreover, the local residents like basketball very much. I'm sure local supporters will provide our team with worthy support."