ESP - Diaz, Spain's women go separate ways

MADRID (National Team)- Spain have parted company with Domingo Diaz, the coach of the women's national team.

Diaz led his side to a bronze medal at last year's EuroBasket Women in Turkey and also steered them to an eighth-placed finish at the FIBA World Championship for Women in Brazil several weeks ago.

"I am very grateful to the (Spanish Basketball) Federation for allowing me to coach the national team in a EuroBasket and to have qualified the national team for a World Championship, which was my dream," he said.

"I will continue to work for women's basketball."

The federation have yet to announce Diaz's successor but the person who does take charge will inherit an incredibly talented side that should compete for the gold medal at next year's EuroBasket in Italy.

All of the players who pushed eventual gold-medalists Australia and runners-up Russia to the limits in South America are expected to be available next summer, including superstar Amaya Valdemoro and the likes of Elisa Aguilar, Laia Palau and Marta Fernandez.

"We want to thank Domingo Diaz for the work he has done in his two years in charge of the national team," said FEB president Jose Luis Saez.

"The bronze medal won in Turkey and the good campaign in Brazil has allowed us to write an historic page in Spanish women's basketball."

By Cindy Garcia-Bennett
PA Sport