MUNICH (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017) - With just over two weeks until the start of the Final Round, the intensity of preparation has shifted up a gear as rosters get trimmed and nations compete against each other in friendly match-ups.

Ukraine fall to France and lose key duo
There was double disappointment for Ukraine as they not only went down 78-70 against Les Bleus in their first game of a preparation tournament in France, but did so without the services of the influential Olga Dubrovina and Valeriya Berezhynska who have both left the team.

Having started their camp as potential dark horses and even one of the teams tipped to make a deep run on Czech soil, Ukraine will now be without a trio of leading players in the paint. This is due to the absences of Berezhynska, along with Viktoriya Mircheva and Aleksandra Khomenchuk.

Debuts, a record and cuts for France
It was a proud night for Hhadydia Minte and teenager Alexia Chartereau as they both registered their senior debuts for France in the victory against Ukraine.

There was also a record for Marine Johannes as the exciting guard scored her highest tally in a senior vest by pouring in 19 points.

Leading up to the game, head coach Valerie Garnier opted to dispense with Lisa Berkani and Marieme Badiane.

Montenegro get first preparation win under their belt
In the same tournament on French soil, Roberto Iniguez experienced victory for the first time at the helm of Montenegro as his side squeezed out a narrow but confidence-boosting 67-66 win against Canada.

With Angelica Robinson back in their line-up, the naturalized center corralled a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Vaughn back in Prague
Another naturalized participant in the shape of Kia Vaughn has hooked up with her adopted country after touching down in Prague where she is getting ready to make her debut for Czech Republic.

The ZVVZ USK Prague center has been on WNBA duty in recent weeks, but will now be giving all her attention to try and help the FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 hosts make a strong run in the competition.

Evans inks deal with Spar Citylift Girona
Slovenia are set to hand a debut to a naturalized player in forward Shante Evans and she will head to Czech Republic as a Spar Citylift Girona player.

Having represented Celje last season with Slovenia head coach Damir Grgic, her newfound status as a European has helped her earn a move to the Spanish side for 2017-18.

No dream return for Osipova
The last fully-fledged member of Russia’s famous and long-standing golden generation won't be making a fairytale return at this edition of the Final Round.

Having only just come back from maternity leave, golden oldie Irina Osipova had been hoping to prove her form and fitness, but it wasn’t to be. She has left the Russian squad along with Karina Nizamova.

FIBA