ARG – Sánchez sounds the call to battle

BUENOS AIRES (2010 FIBA World Championship for Women) - Argentina's women are in buoyant mood heading into their first practices for the South American Championship in Chile.

Eduardo Pinto's team is coming off a strong performance at the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship for Women when they finished runners-up to Brazil.

By reaching the podium, they qualified for the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Women in the Czech Republic.

Twenty-one players are gathering with Pinto from Saturday, July 2, until Tuesday, July 6.

The captain of the team, veteran power forward Carolina Sánchez, is eager to get to work.

"Our objective is to win the South American Championship once and for all, to help us get ready for the World Championship," she said.

"We're tired of being second.

"Brazil is a powerhouse and will be there with their entire team, but we're going to go with our batteries fully charged and focused on winning that tournament."

Once at the FIBA World Championship for Women in September, Argentina will play in Group D against Russia, Japan and the Czech Republic, who are hosting the event.

Argentina preliminary squad for South American Championship for Women in Chile and FIBA World Championship for Women in Czech Republic: Carolina Sánchez, Ornella Santana, Ornela Bacchini, Sandra Pavón, Sofía Castillo, Marina Cava, Marcela Paoletta, Noelia Mendoza, Melisa Cejas, Macarena Rosset, Paula Gatti, Natacha Pérez, Paula Reggiardo, Nadia Flores, Alejandra Chesta, Debora Gónzalez, Andrea Boquete, Agostina Burani, Rocío Rojas, Florencia Fernández and Gisela Vega.

FIBA