PRAGUE (FIBA World Championship for Women) - The prospects of more FIBA World Championship for Women success for Czech Republic is likely to hinge on whether the legendary Eva Viteckova returns to spearhead her nation's challenge in Turkey.

Having taken a break during the off-season, the veteran is looking refreshed according to Natalia Hejkova, with the ZVVZ USK Prague head coach also looking to get the injured Jana Vesela back to health.

"The Czech Republic team needs Eva a lot and I think after spending this summer resting she will be ready to go, although we have not spoken about that yet," said Hejkova.

"With 'Vesi' hopefully also back and ready to play, I think the Czech team will be even stronger team than it was at EuroBasket Women in France."

Having played a major hand in firing her country to a FIBA World Championship for Women silver medal three years ago on home soil, Viteckova is currently looking to deliver a long-awaited EuroLeague Women Final Eight place with her club team.

The 31-year old will draw level this week with Slovak Republic center Alena Kovacova in second place of all-time EuroLeague Women appearances, by taking her tally to an impressive 228 games.

Hejkova knows both players well and was quick to praise the qualities and accomplishment of Viteckova.

"Eva is such a nice person with real manners and no star attitude, yet she is real shooting star," she said.

"Opponents always have to pay attention to her, since she only needs a moment and will drop a three-pointer on you. She has such a real golden hand.

"Both Eva and Alena actually started very young in the top teams of Euroleague Women.

"Eva now has a good chance to be the number one if she stays healthy, because she is a worker, still loves this game and takes care of her body - in fact, she could definitely play for a couple more seasons.

"I also guess the girls should now prepare something of a celebratory surprise for Eva at our Christmas party," added the head coach with a smile.

Viteckova and her Prague team-mates are yet to taste defeat this season. They have started their domestic campaign with a stunning 19-0 winning streak and have recorded five straight victories in EuroLeague Women.

Despite this, Hejkova is tempering the early excitement and insisted: "Dreams are only for when you are sleeping, so we just try to always be ready for the next game.

"We are walking our way step by step, because we know it's a long way to Final Eight in Ekaterinburg and this is only the beginning - even if we are happy to start like this.

"As for the recipe we will need for success, I like to cook and I know that mixing one or two main ingredients with some smaller ones from the same taste group, which will support and upgrade final result is absolutely vital.

"I also know spices are important and the 'chilli' in our team right now is most definitely Laia Palau."

In addition to Viteckova, Prague also boast other Czech national team players such as Katerina Elhotova, Ilona Burgrova and the injured duo of Vesela and Michaela Stejskalova.

Meanwhile, Spain veteran playmaker Palau could yet face her current Prague team-mates when the action tips off in Istanbul and Ankara next year.

FIBA