BRA - Non-stop basketball fun for Erika
BRNO (2010 FIBA World Championship for Women) - There is no room for tiredness when it comes to the FIBA World Championship for Brazil star Erika De Souza. After a busy season with Spanish side Ros Casares, the 28-year-old center spent the summer in the United States helping the Atalanta Dream finish runners-up in the WNBA. Erika was finally able to ...
BRNO (2010 FIBA World Championship for Women) - There is no room for tiredness when it comes to the FIBA World Championship for Brazil star Erika De Souza.
After a busy season with Spanish side Ros Casares, the 28-year-old center spent the summer in the United States helping the Atalanta Dream finish runners-up in the WNBA.
Erika was finally able to join her national team in training two days ago.
"I've had a very busy summer," said Erika to FIBA.com. "I've been working non-stop in Spain, USA and now here.
"There is a risk of tiredness but this tournament is very important for me. To represent my country gives me great pride and I would not have missed it. I was three years away from the national team due to injuries and it feels great to be back. We have to take risks and I'm here willing to take a risk."
Erika has plenty of experience when it comes to playing in the top basketball event and yet it always feels special.
"This is my third World Championship but it feels as though it is my first," she said. "I have the same emotions as the first time and I'm eager for the competition to start.
"I want to play, to enjoy it and to have fun with the rest of my teammates. Despite arriving very late to the team, it has been easy to adapt because I know all the players well.
"We have been playing together since we were very young and we know each other well. As for my role in the team, the coach tells me to bring joy to the team. I want all my teammates to enjoy the experience and I want to help the young players with my experience. I tell my teammates that they need to enjoy the competition. They have been training so hard for a long time and they and I are ready for the tournament to begin."
Carlos Colinas' Brazil head into the event eager to take one step forward with respect to four years ago. Brazil hosted that competition and finished fourth, losing to Team USA in the bronze-medal game.
"I believe we can do very well," said Erika. "The team has been training for three months.
"There is a lot of quality in the team and a willingness to do well in this tournament.
"As long as we do what the coach tells us and we give our best, we can go on to win a medal."
Brazil begin the tournament tomorrow against Korea before meeting Mali and Spain in their Group C.