ZARAGOZA (2016 FIBA U17 Women’s World Championship) – Ana Ramos was the surprise MVP of the FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship but has shown it was no fluke by assuming a leadership role once more.

Portugal are playing at their very first global youth event and FIBA.com caught up with the guard in Zaragoza as she evidence her quality with 27 points on opening day against Spain.

FIBA.com: Matosinhos was incredible last year when you were MVP and the team made history with the run all the way to the Final in front of thousands of fans every night. How do you now reflect on the tournament?
Ana Ramos: It was very difficult to achieve what we were able to last year, but it was only possible as we truly worked as a team. There were a lot of emotions that only those who experienced it can relate to the amazing feeling. In relation to the MVP award, I never thought that it would be possible to achieve. Still today, I cannot describe what I felt. I feel very grateful that my hard work has been acknowledged and since then, it has been a motivation to keep working. In female basketball it is very rare to have a full arena, with people waiting outside the doors to enter. It's obvious that the support was fundamental. I am aware that we will now not be playing at home and therefore we will have to control our emotions and maintain our concentration.

FIBA: You must have been counting down the days to be here in Zaragoza playing in another historic chapter with your country?
Ana Ramos: Every day I have been training in order to be selected to represent Portugal in this championship. It is definitely something that I have been looking forward to and when counting down the days, it gave me confidence to know that our work will be compensated. My family and friends have been asking me “Are you ready?" And I have told everyone that the preparation has been throughout the year and not only just before the tournament. I want to contribute to the continuation of making history in Portuguese basketball. Playing in a FIBA World Championship is something that no Portuguese team has ever been able to reach. We are giving it our best, and can surprise a lot of people. It will be hard, but we will be able to do it.

Ramos was inspirational against Spain but could not take her team to a historic first win on their maiden outing at the event

FIBA.com: What is your approach to the tournament and role with your team?

Ana Ramos: My objective is to always win, but above everything, I always take into consideration fair play. We always have to give everything we have and even everything that we don't think we have, whenever we are on the court. As I am a point guard, my goal is to organise the team and secure the game.

FIBA.com: Why did you pick up a basketball and what does this sport mean to you?
Ana Ramos: Initially I followed my brothers foot-steps by playing water polo, but when I turned nine years old, there wasn't a female team. I decided to change sport and the most convenient schedule relating to my brothers training was the basketball practices. I decided to try out basketball and since that moment, I liked it and I have continued. Basketball has helped me in my personal life, because it has taught me to be disciplined and organised. It has also enabled me to socialise and even meet friends for a life time. Now it is impossible to imagine my life without basketball.

FIBA