By Soriebah Kajue, PA Sport

Amsterdam Astronauts general manager Piet Meijer is hoping they can kick off their EuroCup campaign with a win against Virtus Bologna.

The Dutch club have been drawn in a tough-looking Group H along with Adecco ASVEL Villeurbanne, AEL Lemosos and Virtus Bologna, who have a rich European pedigree.

But with the Astronauts commencing their qualifying campaign at home, Meijer is urging them to start with a win.

"We will be doing our best to get a win against Bologna as we are at home," he told PA Sport.

"They are a very good team but last year we started with a win in Europe and let's hope we do it again."

The Astronauts have been busy over the close season, forming a new look and are still some way from settling their new team.

"We have a totally new team with a lot of young players, we lost veterans during the summer and we are looking for the right Americans at the moment," he added.

"We are giving trials to all the non-Europeans at the moment as we try to rebuild a new team.

"This weekend we are going to Belgium and then Poland next week to play some matches so that we are ready for the EuroCup."

Despite the youthfulness of the team, Meijer believes they will be competitive this season.

"They have made progress in the last few weeks and they are a very talented bunch, some of the best in Holland.

"It will be an interesting season for us."