HATAY (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments) - Katsiaryna Snytsina remembers the moment well, when she knew that Belarus had clinched a spot in the Beijing Games.

When the national side won their game against Brazil on 13 June, 2008, at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT) in Madrid, Spain, Belarus punched their ticket to the event in China. Snytsina had gone from being a part of a team that was playing in the EuroBasket Women Division B to the Olympics in just three short years.

"Of course it was an amazing feeling when we qualified for Beijing. We couldn't believe we were going on to the Olympic Games," Snytsina said to FIBA.com.

I just remember a lot of jumping, smiling and laughing. And of course, we want to have that feeling again and we will do our best to qualify for Rio. - Snytsina

Indeed, nearly eight years on, Belarus and Snytsina have a chance of making it to a second Summer Games. To capitalize, they will once again have to make it through a WOQT. The event will be staged in Nantes, France, 13-19 June. Belarus will play in Group C against Korea and Nigeria.

If they are first or second in that group after playing both teams, Belarus would advance to the next phase and take on Spain, China or Venezuela for the right to play in Rio. A loss in that contest would leave them needing to win two more games at the WOQT to reach Rio.

"Korea and Nigeria are dangerous for us," Snytsina said. "We must respect all teams that play against us because everybody wants to go to Rio. That's why we'll put our maximum focus on them."

The next game, if they advance, will be tricky. Spain and China are likely to claim the top two spots in Group D and Belarus have not fared well against either in recent times.

Spain beat them in the Third-Place Game at last year's EuroBasket Women while in 2014, Belarus had a fourth-quarter meltdown against China and lost, 72-67. That result prevented them from advancing to the Quarter-Finals.

"I would like to play against China," Snytsina said. "Not for revenge, but only because I don't like to play against Spain."

Despite their ups and downs last year, Snytsina says Belarus took a lot of positives out of the EuroBasket Women in Romania and Hungary.

The team looked like world-beaters while winning its first four games but then lost its next three games. Belarus scraped a 68-66 triumph over Lithuania in the Quarter-Finals, though, to assure themselves of a spot in the WOQT.

Belarus then nearly reached the title game. Serbia avoided the upset, though, edging Snytsina and Co, 74-72.

After that, Spain defeated Belarus in their last game, 74-58.

"Last season, we got fourth place in the European Championship and I didn't see anything disappointing about it," Snytsina said. "We fought every game, we gave everything on the court and we were happy with this. Of course we are like all professional players and want medals but it is what it is."

Snytsina will no doubt be a key player again this year, as will veteran center Yelena Leuchanka. A lot will be asked of Lindsey Harding, too, the team's naturalized point guard from the United States. Harding played well in 2015 and looked to be a good fit for the team.

I don't think we were able to reach that fourth place without her (Harding). It was so easy to play with her from the first practice. The team easily understand her and she understand us. - Snytsina

FIBA