CRO – Karcic connects with Croatia

ZAMORA (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women) - Lisa Karcic went on a journey this summer with Croatia's national team that she won’t soon forget.

No one in that side will.

Karcic, a 24-year-old native of Long Island, New York, was able to represent the country at the EuroBasket Women in Poland as her father hails from Croatia.

She had no idea what to expect, and certainly didn’t understand how things would unfold for the team in the competition.

Croatia exceeded everyone’s expectations, going on a remarkable run to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women.

"This was awesome to be able to go up against the best teams in Europe and experience that style of play,” she said to FIBA.com.

Looking back at the beginning, when Karcic was invited to try out for the team, she remembers the uncertainty.

"Coming in, I was really nervous because I don't even know the language, but just a few words here and there," Karcic said to FIBA.com.

"There was an adjustment.

"They had been playing together for so many years and I was worried they'd be thinking, 'Who is this American girl who got a Croatian passport?'

"But they were so welcoming and were so nice.

“I loved playing with them."

As for the language issue during practices and games?

Croatia coach Stipe Bralic did not appear to have problems communicating with Karcic during timeouts.

"He says what he needs to say and then gives me my two little points in English," she said.

There are cynics who believe that players born-and-raised abroad have no business playing for a European country that they have spent very little time in.

They should consider Karcic, because despite being American, she has a very real connection to Croatia.

As the summer wore on, that bond to the Balkan nation intensified.

"My family that is in Croatia is so proud because I played," she said.

"I'm so proud because my dad, if he could, he would move back to Croatia in a heartbeat.

"He loved living there. He's so happy for me and I'm happy to make him proud."

Karcic had visited Croatia before, so it was not a completely new experience joining the team for the warm-ups ahead of the EuroBasket, which was staged in Poland in June and July.

"We were there for a month," she said.

"I had been travelling there, visiting my family.

"I have my uncle, cousins - so it was like my third or fourth time there."

On the court

If the first several weeks were about getting growing comfortable in a new country and coping with language issues, the rest of the time in Poland was about being in a team that went from rank outsiders to major success story at the EuroBasket Women.

Croatia began the tournament with an 86-40 humiliation at the hands of France in Katowice on June 18.

A quick exit from the EuroBasket seemed likely.

Less than 24 hours later, though, Bralic’s team upset Greece, 85-83.

Despite a narrow defeat to Latvia, the win over the Greeks was enough to put Croatia in the Second Round.

Bralic didn't panic when his players lost 81-60 to Montenegro in their next game, even though the result left them with the task of beating hosts Poland and a very good Spain to advance to the Quarter-Finals.

Incredibly, Croatia won both games, including a 75-71 upset of Spain.

After the Czech Republic tore apart Croatia in the last eight, 79-63, Bralic was able to sharpen his players’ focus for the final two games.

Wins in both would earn the team a trip to next year’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Croatia pulled it off.

They first avenged their defeat to Latvia, winning 84-75.

Karcic had a major role for the first time in the tournament.

She came off the bench and played 29 minutes, finishing with nine points, seven rebounds and three steals.

"I had been playing a few minutes up to then so I was glad I got the opportunity and was able to help," she said.

Karcic was so effective that Bralic played her a lot in the next game against Montenegro in the battle for fifth place.

She again played 29 minutes and despite struggling with her shot, did pull down eight rebounds, blocked a shot and came up with another steal.

Croatia avenged their Second Round defeat to the Montenegrins, winning 73-59 to earn a trip to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

"This was a huge journey for Croatian basketball,” Karcic said.

Inspired by Mandir

All summer long, one player stood out for Croatia.

Sandra Mandir, who turned 34 on August 8, was the captain.

She came up with a series of big plays to lead Croatia in most of their victories.

The 1.74m shooting guard was so good that she made the all-tournament team.

"She's awesome," Karcic said.

"When I played in college (at Villanova), I went up against some of the best players in the U.S.

"She's one of the best players that I've seen in Europe and I'm so happy to have learned from her and had her as my captain.

"Sandra actually said her first EuroBasket was in Poland, back in 1999, so she's come full circle."

With a EuroBasket Women under her belt, Karcic has a lot to reflect on.

One thing that struck her was the style of play.

She launched her professional career in Cyprus and then played in Puerto Rico before moving back to Europe to play in Finland, and Iceland.

"At Villanova, we played so similar to this - the three-point shooting, a lot of moving around the perimeter," Karcic said.

"My first years overseas, it wasn't like that.

"To go back and play the way we did in college, it was nice."

Karcic is now in Spain's top flight with newly-promoted El Caja Rural Tintos de Toro in the city of Zamora, near the Portuguese frontier.

Her team opens the Liga Femenina season this weekend against Real Celta Baloncesto in Vigo.

While concentrating on life in Spain, Karcic no doubt has an eye on helping Croatia next summer when they try to book a spot at the London Games.

FIBA