Group B Preview: Hosts out to please the locals in promotion push
EILAT (FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship Division B 2017) – We check out Group B of the FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship 2017 Division B with host nation Israel hoping to prosper with home support behind them.
Eden Rotberg impressed at U18 level during 2016 and will step up
Players to Watch: Ofir Lavy handed out almost 4 assists per game last year and was in the top two for minutes played, which underlines the importance of her leadership. Eden Rotberg will increase the team’s scoring after the Tel Aviv native scored more than 11 points per game for the U18 team last summer.
Outlook: It’s hard to see Israel having enough depth to challenge for a podium place, but the fervor of the crowd might push them on to greater heights. They were a disappointing 10th last year and only won once at U18 level, so have lots to prove when it comes to being a genuine promotion contender.
It would be a surprise if Masko was not one a leading scorer for Belarus
Players to Watch: Aryna Masko was impressive in Sarajevo for the U18 team last year and her 17.4 points per game will be welcomed. Center Hanna Brych will look to pick up where she left off at this tournament in 2016, by pushing towards a double-double in points and rebounds.
Outlook: With spaces for young players now opening more than ever for the senior team, the multiple U20 candidates who are returning will know the importance of a strong showing. That means a much better display than the 11th position they took last time.
Kelava is likely to be the main player to shine for ambitious Croatia
Players to Watch: Anita Kelava was huge for Croatia in Podgorica during the last edition of the competition, when she led the way in rebounding and assists. Her quality will be exciting to watch alongside Josipa Silov, who amassed more than 13 points per game with the U18 team in Sopron last year.
Outlook: It was a modest 7th place for Croatia last year, but they will get the benefit of several U18 players who were punching in Division A during 2016, so should find the transition a comfortable one. With an arguably weaker pool of opponents than in Group A, they will be quietly confident of pushing hard for a top four finish.
Nikitinaite won rave reviews for her 2016-17 club season in Britain
Players to Watch: Captain Georgia Gayle will be important with her versatility in the backcourt and on the wings. Gabriele Nikitinaite comes into this summer as the Women’s British Basketball League ‘Young Player of the Year’ after propelling Sevenoaks Suns to a historic two pieces of silverware. She has great passing and scoring ability, while also offering flexibility.
Outlook: The Brits have senior head coach Jose ‘Chema’ Buceta at the helm and that was the case last year as well, so they have experience and will be hoping they can match last year’s fifth place finish. However, they must find out if they have the necessary offensive options to do so.
Players to Watch: It’s all eyes on Fordham University player Anna Kelly, as she looks to give her team a significant central figure to build around. Aisling McCann is also back after missing last year’s campaigns and she will be a positive influence.
Outlook: Having finished rock bottom in 2016, Ireland can only look upwards – even if they have suffered some worryingly heavy friendly losses to the likes of Slovak Republic. But, not a single returnee from last year in Podgorica is a possible concern and so they will be thanking the presence of someone with NCAA presence such as Kelly.
Ferariu has useful experience of this tournament under her belt
Players to Watch: There is likely to be a sense of déjà vu as Ana Ferariu and Ioana Ghizila pick up the baton from 2016 and look to once again fuel their team – having both posted double-figure scoring returns in Podgorica.
Outlook: It’s something of the unknown for Romania as while an 8th place last year and below-par 17th spot at U18 level doesn’t seem to engineer a lot of positivity – the combination of players looks much brighter this time around. Therefore, they could squeeze out an improvement.
FIBA
