MUNICH (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Qualifiers) - Ivan Benes has been given the green light by his predecessor Lubor Blazek to build up momentum ahead of Czech Republic hosting EuroBasket Women 2017.

After six years at the helm, Blazek has decided to call time on his career as head coach and is moving into a Technical Director role which opens the door for his former assistant.

Both worked together at ZVVZ USK Prague as well as the national team with each holding the coaching reins for the EuroLeague Women club.

Blazek served for six years and famously took his team to the Final of the FIBA Women's World Championship in 2010 on home soil.

The 55-year-old Benes has just under two years to prepare his team for when the action gets underway in Hradec Kralove and Prague.

He was Assistant Coach at the last three EuroBasket Women Final Round tournaments so knows what will be required.

Czech Republic finished in eleventh spot at EuroBasket Women 2015 - the first time they had not made the Quarter-Finals at the event since 2009.

FIBA