MINSK (FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2018) - The FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup on home soil two years ago did not end in the way that Spain would have hoped as podium ambitions were felled at the Quarter-Final stage.

Raquel Carrera was part of the roster in Zaragoza as a 14-year-old, before playing a major role in securing qualification for this year's event.

Spain nearly missed out on the chance to compete in Minsk but for a 50-49 triumph over Germany in order to finish fifth at last year's FIBA U16 Women's European Championship.

 Carrera averaged 13.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game in Bourges and admits the team knew the path to success would not be straightforward.

"After we finished fifth (last year) we knew we had a long way to get better and have taken small steps," said the 6ft 4in (1.93m) center.

Eight players have returned from last year's U16 side and Spain will hope continuity pays dividends as the team keeps growing on and off the court.

"Our team-work is a key for us and building our defence. We have to take things step-by-step to get better together and achieve a medal," Carrera pointed out.

"With my experience, I can bring more consistency, but everyone has their own responsibilities and a similar role. I try to bring energy and my talent to help the team."

Despite Spain coming up short of finishing on the podium in the 2016 edition of the competition, she came away from it with valuable lessons. 

“It was a great experience for me two years ago. Now we expect to do a better job than in Zaragoza, but there is a long way to go," the 16-year-old said. 

And Carrera wasted no time as she scored 17 points - on 6 of 8 shooting - in 19 minutes of action as Spain despatched New Zealand in an 83-48 success on Saturday to open their campaign in Minsk.

"It was a tough game. We needed to start with a good win and we need to keep improving," she warned.

Spain also face Argentina and Hungary in the Group Phase before the real tests begin in the knockout stages.

FIBA