NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen’s Women’s Basketball Worldwide) – The strongest possible praise should be heaped on FIBA, the national federations, leagues, clubs and players for the opening Women’s EuroBasket 2019 Qualifiers window.

Both game days were very enjoyable and this was women’s basketball benefitting from the effective collaboration which is happening between all the various parties.

It was also made even more appealing since we got to see a competition full of players who were not only recognisable because of their past accomplishments in national team colors, but because of their EuroLeague Women and EuroCup Women exploits. They came from all of the biggest clubs – as those respective juggernauts ensured that their most cherished personnel were encouraged to play.

The two most noticeable features of the entire window actually came in advance of the first game when my social channels were flooded with smiles from players from all corners of the Continent, thrilled to be meeting up with their compatriots and having fun as well as working hard. Jumping into a camp clearly gave them a break from club commitments, from the early grind – with the bonus of a trip home in many cases.

Secondly, it was fantastic to see so many match-ups between club team-mates who had suddenly become adversaries for 40 minutes. There were multiple examples such as Amanda Zahui against Marija Rezan (ZVVZ USK Prague) or Temi Fagbenle v Alysha Clark (CCCPolkowice)

The development of streaming is also continually being enhanced by FIBA and the Federations, meaning the women's game has never been so accessible and that is also to be commended. There were so many games being shown live, I was like a kid in the candy store and was almost overwhelmed the fantastic choice.

Away from those things that the eye of a fan like myself sees such as the players, the match-ups and the media coverage, hats off for other things such as FIBA launching an upgraded insurance programme which extends and enhances cover for national team players. That protection of one of the most comprehensive reimbursement schemes in sport is another feather in the FIBA cap.

So, while I accept there’s a small fly in the ointment in respect of the young guns who are not able to participate Stateside due to their NCAA commitments, the current structure is serving the important purpose of a product for the women’s game you would want to follow and watch.

FIBA are playing a role in getting a wide selection of women's players onto the big stage for their respective nations. That has commercial value for the sport of basketball and the women's game in general, its Federations and in many ways, the players themselves, as they raise their own profiles even further.

I am very grateful for this and not only want to thank all those involved for co-operating so slickly and engaging in this collaborative approach.

As a fan of the women's game, I am now already counting down until the second window in February.

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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