EuroBasket Women 2013 draw throws up talking points in groups A and B

NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide) - Having barely had time to breathe since the end of the London Olympics, European teams are already eyeing up the podium at EuroBasket Women 2013 in France next year after last week’s draw in Paris.

The 16 teams were pitched into four groups of four and, there were plenty of talking points. Not least, the completely diverse opinion formed since the draw in terms of which groups are potentially the toughest.

Even the obligatory ‘Group Of Death’ does not exist – or at least in terms of a universal consensus. Some have tried to pin this badge onto a specific group but the real thrill about this EuroBasket Women 2013 draw is that it looks quite beautifully balanced.

Group A containing Montenegro, Ukraine, Turkey and Slovak Republic should - on paper at least - see Turkey advance as group winners and Montenegro finish in second spot with the other two teams basically playing each other to avoid an early ticket home.

Olympic quarter-finalists Turkey can’t take anything for granted though. The elite level is a road paved with danger and especially when tired or lacking in focus and concentration. I expect Turkey to not only win Round 1, but also to get back onto the podium which will continue their momentum and confidence for when they host the FIBA World Championship Women in 2014.

Montenegro is a really tough team. One of the newest kids on the block, this tiny nation is replicating the success of their male counterparts and making the people of Podgorica and the surrounding area very proud of their efforts.

Having made history by reaching their first-ever major tournament at EuroBasket Women 2011 in Poland, they seized their opportunity with both hands and posted an absolutely tremendous performance during the first two phases of the competition before eventually running out of steam to just miss out on a spot for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women.

They will be a dangerous opponent with the dynamic play of Iva Perovanovic, the reliability of Jelena Dubljevic and veteran guard play of Jelena Skerovic. Although notably, they still have little or no depth so it is likely to be the case that luck and avoiding injuries will again be of paramount importance.

Both Ukraine and Slovak Republic won’t be fancied to advance and it looks like one of these teams will be dropped quickly from the competition. But, few people gave Ukraine much of a chance to even qualify and yet they did remarkably well in a really difficult qualification group.

With 20-year-old phenomenon Alina Iagupova on their roster, absolutely anything is possible as she showed earlier this summer. Ukraine actually have a number of good quality players such as Oleksandra Kurasova so they really should not be under-estimated.

As for Slovak Republic, they just continue to roll to EuroBasket Women tournaments even when their preparations ahead of qualification have been far from ideal - as happened this year. They have few, if any, star names and especially with Zuzana Zirkova looking like she may have worn a national team vest for the last time.

At all levels, including youth too, they just play good and really solid team basketball. They work hard and get results. Certainly in terms of value for money, Slovak Republic women’s teams always seem to squeeze every last drop out of what they have and major props to head coach Ivan Vojtko.

Group B could be absolutely wonderful and would be my pick for the most intriguing. Sweden, Spain, Russia and Italy are all pitched together with so many factors to consider. The emerging Swedes were sensational during qualification, beating the Spanish both home and away and so that particular rivalry will be renewed.

Sweden is one of the most exciting women’s basketball nations around with some amazingly talented generations, a sprinkling of veterans, but essentially, just brilliant young players now beginning to deliver. With the outstanding Frida Eldebrink, Louice Halvarsson as well as Elin Eldebrink, Stefanie Yderstrom and a host of other young players now maturing way before their time, the future looks wonderful. Especially if the even younger Farhiya Abdi, Amanda Zahui and Binta Drammeh also push for selection.

Spain is still arguably trying to recover from their disappointing display at EuroBasket Women 2011 when they under-achieved. Lucas Mondelo took over the coaching reins from Jose Hernandez and completed the first part of his mission.

It had been anticipated that great veterans like Amaya Valdemoro, Elisa Aguilar and Ana Montanana might not continue after what happened in Poland, but they did and that was pivotal in qualifying for France. With some excellent young talent coming through such as Marta Xargay, Queralt Casas, Vanessa Ble and many others, coach Mondelo will have to make some big decisions when he decides on his final roster.

Spain and Sweden should probably advance along with Olympic participants and reigning Eurobasket Women champions Russia who will be favourites to take top spot. But, the Russians are historically very slow tournament starters and this time around, I really don’t think they can afford not to bring their ‘A game’ from the first tip-off. They dodged early bullets against Slovak Republic and Great Britain last year en route to gold and one day, a slow start could prove costly.

Meanwhile many people are tipping a new-look Italy to finish bottom of Group B and crash out early, but they are perhaps a little more resilient and talented than some are giving them credit for. With great leadership from Raffaella Masciadri, the exciting playmaking skills of Giorgia Sottana and the dynamic Ilaria Zanoni, they have a huge capacity to surprise as vibrant new team still finding their identity and playing without fear or pressure.

Next week, I’ll take a closer look at Groups C and D.

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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