BRA – Karla hopeful of return to Olympics

RIO DE JANEIRO (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women) - Brazil international Karla Costa is desperate to play in her second Olympics.

Costa, a member of the Brazil side that reached the semi-finals of the Athens Games, is with the squad that is preparing for the South American Championship.

The Brazilians are using the event as a warm-up for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament which tips off in Madrid in June.

Karla, who has recovered from a right knee injury that had sidelined her for a spell, said: "I am fully recovered but I am still a little bit insecure.

"I think physical work and training will help me get my confidence back.

"We have begun our initial preparations and we will train hard to arrive at the two competitions in good condition.

“First of all, we want to get the South American title and then go to Spain looking for a ticket to Beijing.”

One problem facing Brazil coach Paulo Bassul, who led the team to bronze at last year’s FIBA Americas Championship in Chile, is that club commitments will prevent some of his leading players from taking part in the South American Championship in Ecuador from May 23-29.

“We have a group made up of talented players and they all have their focus firmly on our aims. We need to take advantage of the training sessions to correct the mistakes in order to do well in both tournaments."

Currently training in Rio de Janeiro with Brazil are Chuca, Êga, Franciele, Jaqueline, Karen, Karina, Karla, Micaela, Natália and Tatiana.

FIBA