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09 - 17
July 2016
4 Sofia Hagg (SWE)
13/07/2016
News
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Hagg learning from her experiences with Lulea

MATOSINHOS (FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship 2016) – It’s been quite a year for Sofia Hagg, who can boast a Swedish title and essential EuroCup Women minutes on her resume.

The Sweden guard was part of the Lulea Basket side that triumphed domestically and also took part in a EuroCup Women adventure, which they will now repeat, having had their place confirmed in the competition for 2016-17.

Even more thrilling for Hagg is to take to the court each week in front of some of the most passionate and vocally supportive fans in the women’s game which spurs her on even more to become a success.

She confirmed, "I love play in Lulea as our fans really are the best and we wouldn't be the same team without them. A lot of people watch our games and that gives us so much energy when we play.

"Last season was great in terms of winning the Swedish Championship and having the opportunity to play in EuroCup Women.

"Those were good and really tough games for us and it was different from what we are used to in the Swedish League. We had to play at our very best level if we wanted to compete with the other teams.

"It was also good for me to experience international basketball at the top level and to see how everything works amongst the best."

Elisabeth Egnell gave a talk to players at the FIBA U17 World Championships for Men and Women in Zaragoza last month.

Hagg is also gaining another valuable basketball education by tapping into the knowledge of Sweden national team star, Elisabeth Egnell who is part of the staff at the FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship 2016.

"I know that everybody on our team really appreciate that she’s with us, because she is an inspiring person both on and off the court," stated Hagg.

"She has experienced a lot of things during her career which we can notice in her coaching. Elisabeth is a smart and good player, which makes her a good coach.

"I also think it’s great that she now works as part of the FIBA Players’ Commission, so she can use her knowledge to give advice to young players from all over the world."

Sweden will have to accelerate their learning process, since they head into the Round of 16 still searching for maiden triumph in Matosinhos. Yet they also know that it might just be a case of fourth time lucky and that they would retain their Division A status with a victory against Spain.

"We have actually played some really good basketball during parts of the three games so far and step by step, we have become a better team," insisted Hagg.

"One problem is that we are having a hard time playing good and solid basketball for the full 40 minutes.

"But we have a good feeling after the game against Italy, which proved that we can fight against the top teams in Europe. We will try to bring all the good things from this game and we’re looking forward for playing Spain."

She added, "We know we have to be focused from the first minute and try to play as well as we can for all four quarters of the game - we need to play tough, smart and fully together as a team."

FIBA