TOKYO (FIBA World Championship for Women) - Destined to meet up in Group A at the FIBA World Championship for Women in Ankara, Japan made a real statement of intent in a recent five game series against Czech Republic by racking up four wins against their rivals.

While the preparation results are not likely to mean much when the action tips-off in Turkey, the outcome of the friendly games added credence that a group which also contains Brazil and European champions Spain, will be highly competitive and exciting to watch.

Japan got off to a flying start with successive wins, taking the first game 57-51 and then inking a 56-43 success. While the hosts then lost the middle game 59-51 against their visitors, Japan finished in style with back-to-back victories of 74-54 and 64-56, to wrap up a very positive start to their preparations.

Japan play-caller Tomohide Utsumi was satisfied with the outcome of the five games and stated, "The wins against the Czech Republic will become a confidence factor for the players and will lead to the motivation to be able to take the next step."

Utsumi was able to take significant heart from the return of Maki Takada to his line-up, something which noticeably boosted his team's rebounding prowess against a tall Czech frontline - something which has traditionally proven a real challenge.

Meanwhile Czech head coach Lubor Blazek was trying not to be downbeat during the series and said, "Even at this stage of preparation, our team needs to play good matches.
 
"Japan are currently the best women's team of the Asian continent and we have had little contact or experience with Asian basketball.
 
"Of the five games, two were an adjustment to the playing time and organisation of our tour, with the other three games being more official.
 
"We tried to show some new game combinations on offence and we used all the players in our rotation.
 
"It is also necessary that we now eliminate the unnecessary loss of the ball and be more consistent defensively."
 
Czech Republic relied on returning veteran Eva Viteckova for the bulk of their points, while there was some nice progress made by the exciting Alena Hanusova.

The rising star of the Czech frontcourt managed a couple of double-digit scoring returns during the series.
 
Blazek and his players also gained plenty of experience in playing against the high-octane defensive approach of Japanese basketball and their propensity to shoot three-pointers.
 
Czech Republic will now prepare for a double-header on home soil against Mozambique in the city of Trutnov next month.
 
FIBA