BRA - Looking for a return to podium at major event

RIO DE JANEIRO (FIBA World Championship for Women) - It's been two decades since Brazil ruled women's basketball.

At the 1994 FIBA World Championship for Women in Australia, the likes of Hortencia Marcari and Paula Goncalves weaved their magic as the Brazilians finished top of the podium.

Brazil have remained competitive, especially in the Americas, but at World Championships, they have not captured a medal since.

Heading into the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women in Turkey, the Brazilians are No. 7 in the FIBA Ranking Women.

One player looking to help the national side revisit past glories is Clarissa dos Santos, a 26-year-old power forward.

"For our part, we are giving our best to achieve the best results," Dos Santos said in an interview published on the Brazilian Basketball Confederation website.

"Our aim for the World Cup in Turkey is to obtain the best possible result. That's what we're working on, a renewal process. (But) It is a long-term job."

Brazil were reminded at last year's FIBA Americas Championship for Women in Mexico that nothing can ever be taken for granted.

The pre-tournament favorites lost to Cuba in the Semi-Finals, 72-68, and had to win a third-place game against Puerto Rico just to reach this year's World Championship.

"The best lesson is to always arrive at every game with full concentration," Dos Santos said.

"I think that was the difference in the first half of the Semi-Final against Cuba.

"Because of that, we let them open up a good lead and then weren’t able to recover."

Dos Santos knows all about 'Magic' Paula and Hortencia.

They are legends in Brazil.

They were also leaders of the national team.

Dos Santos is now expected to lead.

"My goal as a player is clear and always will be to add something to the group," she said. "What I can do to help my team, spare no effort …

"But basketball is a team game…"

Because of her experience, including an Olympic appearance in London, much is expected of Dos Santos.

"I was very happy with the opportunity to defend Brazil in London," she said.

"And happier having played good games, but it doesn't matter when you do not have a win (medal) in the end."

Dos Santos averaged 12.6 points and nine rebounds per game in London.

"When it comes to winning, it's the collective that matters," she said.

Brazil won just once in London, against hosts Great Britain when both sides already had no chance of reaching the Quarter-Finals.

"In the end, we saw that we could have gone much further," Dos Santos said.

"We are working to eliminate this 'almost' and earn a place on the podium.

"In the past year, have won the South American title in Argentina and bronze at the FIBA Americas Championship. Let's see what happens in the World Cup."

Just getting out of the Preliminary Round is going to be a big ask for Brazil because they have been drawn in Group A with European Champions Spain, 2010 FIBA World Championship runners-up the Czech Republic and Asian champions Japan.

"The group has a very high level and we have tough games against Spain and the Czech Republic, but there's no easy opponents expected in a World Cup," Dos Santos said.

FIBA