Russia decide to turn the page
MOSCOW (FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2017) - Having made the Final two years ago on home soil, a repeat for Russia looks a challenging prospect after they opted to move in a new direction for July's edition of the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup.
After finishing runners-up in Chekhov, the Federation has chosen to give some new faces the opportunity to shine, with Russia perhaps a victim of their own success as the likes of Maria Vadeeva and Raisa Musina fight it out for a place at FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017.
| Russia 18-player squad for FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2017 | |||
| Mariam Banna | Ekaterina Gunchenko | Daria Igantova | Aleksandra Ivanova |
| Anastasiya Kirillova | Anastasiia Komarova | Sofya Kornyenko | Darya Kosulnikova |
| Daria Kurilchuk | Ekaterina Kriuchkova | Iryna Miroshnikova | Daria Repnikova |
| Maya Safiulina | Olseya Safonova | Ksenia Sharova | Anastasia Shuvagina |
| Olga Stolyar | Anastasia Zaytseva | ||
The 18-player list contains a raft of players with very little or no previous international experience, as well as several younger players.
The onus will be strong on those who have played previously and delivered success to keep Russia competitive. Leading the way will be Daria Kurilchuk, Anastasiia Komarova and Darya Kosulnikova who all helped Russia to land a bronze medal at the FIBA U18 Women's European Championship last year in Sopron.
Kurilchuk in particular is likely to be a star performer after averaging more than 13 points per game on Hungarian soil and handed out 2.4 assists per outing.
The younger players in the squad were those who wore their nation's colors last year at the FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship and excelled - including leading scorer, Daria Repnikova.
Russia have been drawn in Group B against Egypt, Puerto Rico and Spain and so even if they are missing some of their big-hitters, they are likely to feel confidence they can get a good position for the Final Phase.
FIBA
