CZE – Reactions to the draw: Titanic clashes ahead, but beware of giant-killing

KARLOVY VARY (2010 FIBA World Championship for Women) – The draw has thrown up some mouth-watering fixtures. While many will be looking forward to witnessing giants colliding, some of the smaller basketball nations may well provide some real upsets.

Reaction to the draw: Group A

Defending Champions Australia will have a tough time overcoming FIBA Asia Champions China in a group A that also includes Belarus and Canada.

Representing the Chinese Basketball Federation, Ms. Xu Lan said: “First of all, I would like to thank for a wonderful ceremony. Our team is in the same group as Canada, Belarus and Australia. We have all had a chance to play against those teams in the past – at the Olympic Games as well as at the 2006 World Championship. All the teams know each other quite well, so I believe we will have a chance to see some interesting games.”

Lorraine Landon, head of International Basketball Federation’s Women’s Commission and former Australian national team player said: “Our team has some of the strongest competitors in the group. I would like to say that we are all looking forward to meeting you again at the World Championship in September next year.”

Reaction to the draw: Group B

Group B will see more big teams facing off, with heavyweights and Olympic Champions USA taking on Eurobasket winners in a game that many expect to be decisive.

But as USA Basketball team manager Carol Callan says, beware of upsets: “Even though we now have some predictions and expectations about the matches, anything can change when the games start and we may see some real surprises”

Mr. Beeslay, Callan’s French team counterpart, commented: “We are very happy to compete at the World Championship. Our goal is to be one of the six best teams. The draw put us in a very strong group, but I hope that everything will end in the best way possible for our team.”

Senegal and first time participants Greece, who will be looking to defy the odds, complete the group B line-up.

The ambitions of the Senegalese team were summed up by the President of the Senegalese Basketball Federation, Mr Gaye: “Senegal does not have a long basketball tradition, and that is why it will not be easy for us to compete with such strong teams as Greece, USA, and France. The upcoming World Championship is going to be a challenge for our national team.”

Greece are relishing the prospects of what will be their first World Championship appearance.

“I am glad that our national women’s team may compete at the World Championship for the first time in history. Our immediate target is to get among the twelve best teams. It is important that the team is healthy next September and that all our best players can come” said Greece national team coach Kostas Missas.

Reaction to the draw: Group C

Group C, which some expect to be a very open affair, includes Mali, Korea, Brazil and Spain.

With all four teams having made it to the final of their respective Continental Championships (Brazil and Spain won theirs, while Mali and Korea finished runners up), group C seems difficult to predict.

“We are very satisfied with the draw but you never know what may happen. We must go step by step. We certainly want to succeed but the competitors must always be respected” said José Luis Saez, President of the Spanish Basketball Federation

Mali’s Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Her Excellency Fatoumata Sire Diakite, who attended the draw, had wished to see her country play in Brno: “I have been praying all night for the team of Mali to be in Group C or D, and not A or B. And my prayers have been heard. I would like to ask the representatives of the Czech Basketball Federation to send the cup to Africa this time, because it has already travelled all the continents except for ours.”

Reaction to the draw: Group D

Taking a quick glimpse of group D, there is one tie that nobody will want to miss. Playing in front of a home crowd, the Czechs will be facing off against arch rivals Russia, in a game that many already seem to be looking forward to.

Speaking on behalf of the Russian national team, Ms. Sokolova said: “The group is made up of teams from several continents. Our group includes also the Czech Republic, which is the host team. It is always harder to play against the host team. All in all, I wish for the best team to win.”

Czech Republic coach Lubor Blažek already has his mind set on the tie: “It is a team that usually makes it to the finals. It is a basketball superpower”.

Japan and Argentina make up the rest of Group D, and Blažek isn’t taking anything for granted.

“Japan knows how to surprise, and we are not used to the Asian style of game. The South American players also have a good team. I don’t want to judge now whether the draw has been favorable. We will be able to say that and you will see us smile, only when we succeed in our group,” he added.

When words make way for the action

While reaction and speculation are bound to continue for some while, there is no doubt that everyone is waiting for 23rd September 2010, when the talking will make way for the action, as the first jump-ball will get the Championship underway.

FIBA