ARG - Experience crucial for Pavon and Co

BUENOS AIRES (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women) -The Argentina women have never played at an Olympic Games before.

But as the saying goes, “there’s always a first time for everything.”

That is the mantra of small forward Sandra Pavon, the small forward who was instrumental last summer at the FIBA Americas Championship in Colombia when Argentina reached the Final.

“What I can say is that it will not be easy, but we all have a dream that women’s basketball will go to the only event that is missing for us and that is an Olympics,” Pavon said.

“We are going to do the impossible to achieve it. We will do everything to be in London.”

Been there, done that

What could help Argentina is the experience gained four years ago when they played at the OQT in Madrid, and at the World Championship in the Czech Republic in 2010.

The players and federation have a better feel for what sort of preparation is needed, which is why the team will be in Europe for an extended period before travelling to Ankara.

Argentina will also know at least one of their Group B opponents well since they played the Czechs in both Madrid, and Brno.

The other team in Group B is New Zealand, a national side that played at the last two Olympic Games.

However, the Tall Ferns were blown out by Australia in last year’s FIBA Oceania Championship and could be underdogs.

Argentina only need to win one game to reach Quarter-Finals, and victory in the quarters would get the team to London.

If Pavon and Co were to lose a Quarter-Final, they could still fight for the fifth and final spot for London.

“In Colombia, each one of us knew which role to play on the court and I think that will again be crucial in this play-off (OQT),” Pavon said.

“Then, in regards to the tactics, we know that Argentina, in every tournament that we dispute, is characterized by tough defending.

“That will continue.” 

Individual preparations start now

Players are already getting ready for the OQT.

“Everyone is individually doing a lot of physical work,” Pavon said.

“The idea is to get everyone in as good a shape as possible and then unify it in our collective game.”

There is a bond that exists between the players, and a common sense of purpose.

This is a real team and that was evident in Colombia last year, when they won the silver medal.

“The group was very good, very committed,” Pavon said.

“As for the human side of it, this is a group (of players) who already know each other and get along very well, with a lot of respect for what we are working hard to achieve.”

FIBA