The draw held in Barcelona on Monday also determined that group D will be stationed in Gran Canaria.

"We have to be happy with the draw. We were drawn into a group with some lesser known sides," said Slovenian coach Jure Zdovc, who warned that the latter "can also be a trap".

In order to avoid surprises, Slovenia will have to be in top form, said Zdovc.

National team director Matej Avanzo also expressed satisfaction with the draw, saying "the door was open for Slovenia to progress", if it can seize the opportunity.

Of the four groups, group A emerged as the "group of death" by featuring the home team, along with basketball powerhouses Serbia, France, Brazil, Egypt and Iran.

The Philippines, Senegal, Porto Rico, Argentina, Greece and Croatia will square off in group B in Seville.

The US team, the perennial favourites, were drawn into group C alongside the Dominican Republic, Turkey, Finland, New Zealand and Ukraine. The group will play in Bilbao.