FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 musings: Groups C and D
NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide) – Having already cast my eye over the first two groups drawn for the FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Final Round, it’s time to check-in with Groups C and D.
History will be made when Slovenia take to the court for the very first time and the excitement has been cranked up after they were drawn against reigning champions Serbia. That’s my favourite match-up of the entire first phase, because I will be expecting fireworks and Slovenia might just raise their game even more for this one! They have the talent required to cause an upset with Teja Oblak and Nika Baric, alongside the veteran experience of Maja Erkic and Sandra Pirsic. They also have great rising stars too, like Annamarie Prezelj.
Serbia lost twice to Ukraine in qualifying but I sense the holders play within themselves, shifting up a gear when they absolutely have to. We saw that en-route to their historic maiden title in Budapest, then in their first ever Olympic appearance when they famously took the last roster step in Rio. They have the depth, scoring talent and coach to defend their title – but not many teams have ever done that for some time.
I am not writing off any team with Sonja Petrovic in it though! I also wonder if they may look to secure a different naturalised player as Danielle Page has not been playing of late. There will also be further re-configuration with Milica Dabovic having retired, while I'm loving the continued emergence of the fabulous Aleksandra Crvendakic.
Well, France are France. What does that mean? A compliment! They will be challenging for honours again and are a lock for a podium push. I love their veterans like Celine Dumerc, Endene Miyem and Sandrine Gruda. Meanwhile the next generation in Marine Johannes and Olivia Epoupa for example are brilliant and so what’s not to love? They could go all the way this time. They will be particularly eager to get one over Serbia in the Group phase after losing in the previous Final to them and also in Rio.
As for Greece, much will hinge on whether they can win their game against Slovenia. They could have a hugely experienced team with many players such as Evanthia Maltsi and Styliani Kaltsidou having swansongs, while Zoi Dimitrakou is something of a difference-maker and Artemis Spanou could play a big role too. However, Olympiacos bowing out of EuroCup Women at the first hurdle recently, is a huge blow for the first three of these players.
Group D is the most fascinating of them all because while Belgium were in the last pot of seeds, they are a dangerous team who could even be dark horses. I love the progress of Julie Vanloo at Ragusa, love the game of WNBA draftee Julie Allemand, take my hat off to Kim Mestdagh for hger work at Carolo Basket, bow to the legendary Ann Wauters and Emma Meeeseman who is an all-time favourite of mine. Wow! Back after a decade, they have such an opportunity to make an impact.
They could take second place behind Russia who have to be favourites in this pool. They will eye the podium to make up for a disappointing sixth place at the previous edition. They were awesome during qualifying and have the likes of WNBA champion Evegenia Belyakova and teenage phenomenon Maria Vadeeva. It would be a below-par score if they didn’t make the Semi-Finals.
The crunch in this Group [assuming Belgium play to their full potential] will be Latvia against Montenegro.
The former should have qualified last time and have an interesting tournament and few years ahead. This is likely to be the end of the road for both Gunta Basko-Melnbarde and Anete Jekabsone. It was supposed to be the case in Hungary, but the team missed the cut and stumbled early - although they did claim a famous win against Russia. Anete Steinberga should be a bigger influence than ever, Kristina Vitola is doing great at Galatsaray and Elina Babkina is back playing regularly again. They also have some good young players and I really hope Digna Strautmane gets a spot.
Montenegro have great naturalised options with Eshaya Murphy and most likely Angelica Robinson. But, they feel like a team who is living on borrowed time with their wafer thin roster and playmaker Jelena Skerovic will be heading towards 37-years-old when the action unfolds. But then again, the underdogs defied my predictions in qualifying so they might make me look foolish again! Plus, it’s great to see such a small nation still punching way, way above their weight.
Paul Nilsen
FIBA
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