Bermuda men's national basketball squad will be looking to go one better than their silver medal in Rhodes, Greece, at the 2007 NatWest Island Games when they take to the court in Aland.

The squad lost to Menorca in the 2007 finals and will be one of the favourites to lift the title along with the defending champions.

With a team containing eight returning players from that line-up including overseas player Sullivan Phillips, Dale Jackson, Chris Crumpler, Phil Davis, Dean Jones, Jason Lowe, Steven Simons and Jonathan Minors, the team has the right mix to go the whole way this time around.

Graduating CedarBridge student Richard Warner, Jordan Knight and Kent Tacklyn are newcomers to the Island Games team, whilst Jason Simons is making his first return since the 2003 Island Games campaign.

The side also won the 2005 edition of the Games.

The team departs June 23 and will spend a few days in the UK before venturing to Aland with the rest of the Bermuda contingent that is currently playing overseas.

In Bermuda's group will be Cayman Islands and Jersey, with the Island playing Cayman on the 28th before squaring off against Jersey on the 29th.

The elimination round begins July 1.

Greg Todd, Bermuda Basketball Association (BBA) International Committee Chairperson, is optimistic of the side's potential and expects them to make a serious title charge.

"The team is in its final stages of preparations and has already completed two games of four scrimmage game series versus the CBC Men's team," said Todd.

"The team is in strong contention to medal-place and obviously aspire to improve their silver medal performance in 2007 and bring home the gold.

"In the team's way will be Menorca, the defending gold medal winners, an improved Cayman Islands team, an improved Rhodes team and Gibraltar which always field a strong team."

There are no basketball traditions on Aland but the Swedish and Finnish basketball associations regularly hold training camps on the island.

The basketball competition will be jointly organised by representatives from some of the top Swedish clubs and the Finnish Basketball Association. Eckeröhallen, which is Aland´s largest indoor sportshall, includes a full-sized football pitch, changing rooms, laundry facilities, treatment rooms and facilities for officials.

Group A: Menorca, Gibraltar, Isle of Man

Group B: Bermuda, Cayman, Jersey,

Group C: Rhodes, Saaremaa, Aland