Preview: Groups C and D
MUNICH (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Qualifiers) – The hunt for tickets to FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 is about to be finalised during the last qualifying window and we take a look at who is looking to make the leap forward in Groups C and D.
With Albania effectively out of contention, Group C could turn out to be the most intense. Italy look to be in pole position at the top of the standings because of their unblemished 4-0 record, yet they must play both Great Britain and Montenegro – their two main rivals. If they can beat Great Britain on Saturday in Lucca, the party will be in full swing as that will send them off to Prague and Hradec Kralove next summer. The bulk of their best work will probably come from the Schio contingent which includes the likes of Laura Macchi, Raffaella Masciadri, Cecilia Zandalasini and Giorgia Sottana.
Great Britain produced a superb comeback win against Montenegro in the previous window last February and that momentum might give them the confidence to take a first road win. Certainly anything is possible with their inspirational leader Johannah Leedham who is now captaining EuroLeague Women side, Tango Bourges Basket. They have also been boosted by the return of the legendary playmaker Stef Collins who was injured back in February, as well as center Temi Fagbenle who led the way in the paint and was a leading points contributor at EuroBasket Women 2015.
Montenegro will turn to the phenomenal power in the paint of the naturalised Angelica Robinson when they face Albania and then Italy. The center has played in a EuroLeague Women Final since she last pulled on a vest for her adopted country, having also excelled in EuroCup Women with Yakin Dogu Universitesi. Montenegro are 2-2 like Great Britain and have the expert hand of veteran playmaker Jelena Skerovic to rely on as well.
Group D
Ukraine could effectively book their place on Saturday if they move to 5-0 against Germany in Odessa, although that won’t guarantee them the added honour of top spot as they still have to go for a return game against reigning champions Serbia in Nis next Wednesday.
Alina Iagupova is the player that makes them tick and she is racking up 22 points per game, while they have taken the historic step of bringing in a first ever naturalised player in D’Andra Moss for this final window.
Meanwhile as holders, Serbia will be expected to take Luxembourg apart before they turn their attention to extracting revenge against Ukraine and potentially taking first place in the process. Since that wake-up call in Kyiv, they have appeared at their maiden Olympics and responded by delivering a bronze medal. They have talent all over the floor, with Sonja Petrovic and Jelena Milovanovic holding the hot-hands at present.
Finally, Germany's chances look to have evaporated as their best scenario is they finish with three wins to their name, but only a solitary victory against Ukraine would be carried forward into the calculations for the best runners-up places.
FIBA
