ESP – Been there, done that - self-belief key for Spain ahead of U17 event

MADRID (FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) – Spain are in very upbeat mood with the FIBA U17 World Championship for Women in France just over two weeks away.

Most of the players competing for the 12 spots in the team already know what it’s like to reach the podium.

The majority of the 14-strong preliminary squad celebrated a gold medal at the U16 European Championship in Naples last year.

"This generation comes from being champions of Europe on the basis of hard work, sacrifice and the capacity to improve, so we will know how to face any problem that comes our way in the tournament," said U17 women’s coach Victor Lapeña.

“This may be the main strength of this group.

“We have a very balanced group of players."

Yurena Díaz,  Elena de Alfredo, Susana Bacete, Itziar Llobet, Julia Martí, Teresa González, Andrea Vilaró, Inma Zanoguera, Amaia Araiz, Sara Rodríguez, Silvia Marcelo, Marles Balart, Sandra Martínez and Leire Carrascosa are the 14 players competing for the 12 spots in the national team to play in France.

Andrea Vilaró led the team in scoring (10.1 points) and rebounds (5.2) last summer in Naples.

Elena de Alfredo (9.6 pts) and Yurena Díaz (8.8 pts, 4rbs) were other standout performers in that Spain team.

If the summer is exciting for the players, it’s the same for Lapeña.

His players will be in Group B in France and will take on Argentina, Australia, Belgium, China and Mali.

"My main objective is to think of every game as the most important,” he said.

“Starting from this idea, we will try to leave (France) with Spain at the top."

FIBA