CUB – Cuba confidence soars as Madrid tournament approaches

HAVANA (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for women) - Cuba will be gunning for one of five places still available for the Beijing Games when they play at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament next month in Madrid.

Alberto Zaballo’s team is in Group D with Belarus and Chinese Taipei and will be expected to advance to the quarter-finals to face either Spain or Brazil.

Big center Yaima Boulet will be crucial for the Cubans’ chances of reaching the Olympics. She spoke to FIBA.com.

FIBA: Yaima, last summer was great for Cuba with the silver medal at the FIBA Americas Championship in Chile. What are your thoughts looking ahead to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women in Madrid?

Yaima Boulet: For us it's a great honor to be going to the pre-Olympic tournament. If things go well for us, we will play at the Olympics. It's a dream for any athlete to play at the Olympics.

FIBA: What would it mean to you to be able to reach the Beijing Games?

Yaima Boulet: The Olympics are going to be really special and you will have countries that will be competing in the Games for the first time. For us, it's not the same to watch it on TV as it is to be there. This is going to be my first Olympics because I know we will qualify.

FIBA: Cuba had some good moments at the 2008 Beijing Basketball Event in April. Tell us what your team has to do well to be successful in Madrid and claim one of five places still up for grabs for Beijing?

Yaima Boulet: The goal is to finish first (Group D), that would be good. Our key is defense, always defense.

FIBA: Tell us how you first got involved in basketball, Yaima.

Yaima Boulet: "I started playing at eight years of age. I chose it because I burned a lot of energy.”

FIBA: Was there a player that you looked up to?

Yaima Boulet: My hero is Yalo Boure, a great player. Also, Lisa Leslie, who moves really well and is one of the best players to have played the game.

FIBA: Tell us a little bit about yourself. For example, what do you like to eat?

Yaima Boulet: "I like criollla food."

FIBA: What do you do in your spare time?

Yaima Boulet: I listen to music, I like to read.

FIBA: Back to basketball. How confident is this Cuban team that will play in Madrid?

Yaima Boulet: The level in Cuba has increased. We are preparing a lot. We are a privileged because we are a team that trains together 365 days and we know each other well. We all get along well. What we are missing is international competing but things are going as planned.”

FIBA