My top 10 moments of 2017
NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen’s Women’s Basketball Worldwide) – It is always hard to reflect on every year which is always packed with so many memorable moments, but here are my own top 10 that struck me most.
Russia winning the U19 Worlds behind Vadeeva and Musina two-punch
That night in Udine was special as a mediocre tournament ended with a game for the ages – an All-Time classic in fact. Russia won the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 86-82 against USA who had been gunning for a seventh straight crown. MVP Maria Vadeeva was just phenomenal – as was Raisa Musina who also made the A
Seeing the last EuroLeague Women game of the legendary Laia Palau
It was a tearful experience for everyone as the Spanish playmaker and absolute legend player her last game in EuroLeague Women at Final Four 2017. The former ZVVZ USK Prague guard was sensational and it was a 'double whammy' because her absence was underlined again when the new season started without her.
Belgium getting their first-ever step on the EuroBasket Women podium
Bruises are fading, scratches are gone but the taste of BRONZE is getting sweeter. @TheBelgianCats #daretobelieve pic.twitter.com/KOBMXDuqZX
— Ann Wauters (@AnnWauters12) July 3, 2017
It has been a long-time coming and I have quite a soft spot for many of these Belgium players who I saw at my first FIBA youth event at U16 level way back in 2009. Throughout that time, the potential had never been delivered, but seeing them coached so well by Philip Mestdagh and finally come of age and take bronze, was very satisfying and so exciting with the likes of Emma Meesseman, Julie Vanloo and Antonia Delaere who I have always followed closely
France winning U16 on home soil and Rupert being named MVP
I got to see France end their jinx at this age category as they won their first title in a decade and did so on home soil in Bourges. It was memorable since they were probably one of the most athletic youth sides I have ever seen, led by MVP Iliana Rupert. That was poignant since she had tragically lost her father who was a former player and he would have been so proud of her.
Japan winning AsiaCup Women and defying the Opals and all the pundits
Japan won a third straight Asian title against all expectations. Or, they won a first AsiaCup Women if you are counting from zero as the first event including Australia. They beat the Opals in a gripping conclusion and while much was made of the runners-up key absences [including head coach, Sandy Brondello], former MVP Ramu Tokashiki was not in the Japan team either, so the accomplishments of the champions should not be diluted too much
Yakin Dogu Universitesi winning their first EuroCup Women title
It was a thrill to be around in Istanbul when Yakin Dogu took their first European title, since they are the new powerhouse on the block in the women's game and it could be the first of many more. They looked like it was drifting away from them, but a late surge handed them their maiden crown against Agu Spor. They have since jumped up to EuroLeague Women and are taking that tournament by storm too.
The unpredictability of EuroBasket Women 2017 with Greece, Russia and Serbia
Ageless Evanthia Maltsi was U-N-S-T-O-P-P-A-B-L-E in @HellenicBF's 🇬🇷 historical win in the FIBA #EuroBasketWomen2017 Quarter-Finals 👏. pic.twitter.com/8wPd8ALjpW
— FIBA (@FIBA) June 23, 2017
You can never be a women's basketball expert - only a specialist. That theory was proven at Final Round when two of the medal favorites Russia and reigning champions Serbia were dumped out ahead of the Quarter-Finals. Then, a team everybody [including myself] had completely written off in the shape of Greece, came up with a fairytale run to the Semi-Finals and a spot at the 2018 FIBA Women' Basketball World Cup. Led by the high-flying and evergreen Evina Maltsi.
Dynamo Kursk making history with a first-ever EuroLeague Women title
Seeing history made in the flesh is always satisfying whoever it might be and this was all about women's basketball 'alchemist' Lucas Mondelo continuing his amazing run of success. From Spain to China and now Russia, everything he touches turns to a precious metal. It was also nice to see teenage phenomenon Maria Vadeeva take her first EuroLeague Women title too. Richly deserved and no doubt, the first of many.
India winning promotion in a thriller at the FIBA Women's AsiaCup
Even if this seems a little out of leftfield, I always love to see host nations rewarded for their efforts off the court, with success on it. The fans in Bengaluru had to wait right until the death though, their team posting a dramatic comeback win against Kazakhstan to gain promotion back to Division A. I also think this kind of moment had added significance because of the vast potential that the country has, plus, some of the issues in society the world has seen in respect of women, so seeing strong and successful role models can hopefully harvest more respect and inspire young girls too.
Interviewing the legendary Maria Stepanova at the TIMEOUT project
I could not believe how lucky I was to sit with this legend of the women's game and the sport in general. It was at the launch of the FIBA TIMEOUT initiative and we spent around 20 minutes talking about not only her career, but Russia's shock exit and even parenting. What a thrill. I was in genuine awe throughout!
Paul Nilsen
FIBA
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