What has been the reaction to the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 draw?

MUNICH (FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019) - The draw for the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 is now in the books and it threw up plenty of talking points for those involved. 

First of all, before the draw was even made, there was always going to be a strong sense of anticipation and not least in those locker rooms where club teammates could end up being international rivals.

KSC Szekszard colleagues Nevena Jovanovic and Frida Eldebrink, took time out from trying to advance to the next stage of EuroCup Women to watch the draw. They even took time to swap jerseys and support each other - perhaps safe in the knowledge that Serbia would be based at home and Sweden were always heading to Riga after being revealed as the partner country of co-hosts Latvia.

As the draw was made, it is entirely possible that it was Eldebrink who was the happier of the pair, with fourth seeds Sweden being dealt on paper at least, a fair hand.

 In contrast, Jovanovic and Serbia were pitched into the universally accepted Group D which has been renamed the 'Group of Death'.

Belgium have been turning heads with their performances, having made history with the bronze medal at the previous Final Round and then making the Semi-Finals of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 in Tenerife, in what was the their maiden appearance.

Shooting ace Kim Mestdagh was quick to confirm that Group D is likely to be the most difficult group to emerge from.

Elsewhere, Martin Zibarts of Latvia was sure his team would face a stiff test in Group A against reigning champions Spain, along with Great Britain and Ukraine.

He stated: "The British team convincingly led their group in the qualifying tournament, winning against an equivalent team in the competition (in Greece) and they are serious opponents.

"With the Ukrainian team, we have struggled in preparatory games, but in those matches, the opponents were not even at their best.

"Clearly Alina Iagupova, who helped her Turkish club this year to win in all games, is the most powerful player. Of course, the Spanish team does not ask for comments as the champions and one of the strongest teams in the world," mused the playcaller.

Meanwhile having debuted at the last edition, Slovenia are looking forward to their second appearance and might fancy their chances of making it past the Group Phase for the first time in their history. Drawn against Hungary, Turkey and Italy, it arguably looks like a pool without any obvious powerhouse.

Their captain and UMMC playmaker, Nika Baric said: "I think we can all be happy with the draw. I did not have any expectations before the draw, and I only did not want to have France and Spain in the group.

"Everything is possible at the tournament. Each game is a story for itself and much depends on our daily form."

She added: "I believe that we will have the loud support of our fans and I'm already looking forward to preparations. I just cannot wait for the championship to begin."

There was a duo who will be out to have nothing but fun, when the action tips off in June in Latvia and Serbia.

They are the tournament's official mascots 'Pick and Roll' who caught the attention of everyone at the draw, with surely more to come on that entertainment front.

FIBA