BRA - Janeth praises Brazil revival

SAO PAULO (2006 FIBA World Championship for Women) - Forward Janeth Arcain is confident Brazil have returned to winning ways at the FIBA World Championship for Women after beginning to show their potential in the eight-final victory over Lithuania.

Brazil opened the Championship with a 71-69 win over Argentina and a comfortable 106-86 triumph over Korea, but then stumbled to a 67-66 defeat by Spain in the preliminary phase to raise questions over their title challenge.

But a 84-67 win over a tough Lithuanian side has proven Brazil are a force to be reckoned with at the FIBA World Championship for Women, as Janeth netted 14 points in the first game of the eight-finals ahead of Sunday's game against Australia.

"We had good movements and also our forwards approached it. On Sunday (against Australia) there will be other history," Arcain told Lance! sport newspaper.

"We are in good condition as we can play against them (the Australians) face to face".

"Australia are a giant team who are third at FIBA World ranking. They are just above us."

Veteran Arcain is set to bow out of the international scene in Japan after admitted her participation in next year's Pan-American Games remains in the balance.

"I do not know if I will play the Pan-American Games. Next year I will be playing in WNBA and the tournament in Rio will take place at the same time as the American season. And I will have to request some days to play," said the 37-year-old Houston Comets forward.

"I am not playing bad because I am thinking about my national team departure. It is not true. I can have a good or a bad day."

PA Sport