Lopez relying on team work to get Spain challenging for a medal in Udine

MADRID (FIBA U18 Women's European Championship) – Mario Lopez is adamant that the team ethos and rugged defense can get Spain pushing for honors when they step out at the FIBA U18 Women's European Championship in Udine.

At the previous edition in Sopron last summer, Spain missed the podium for only the second time in the last decade as they had to settle for sixth place.

Now, Lopez, who coached Lointek Gernika in EuroCup Women last season, is looking to improve on the 2017 outcome – even if his side won’t necessarily have a go-to player in their ranks. That might depend on who links up with the squad from the roster that will be competing beforehand in Minsk at the FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup.

He explained: “Logically, there will be players who double with the two groups and who will join us after the U17 World Cup and will not have had much training time before starting [with us].

“It is a generation without a clear star - without a player who averages 25 points per game. But we have many good players who can contribute on offense and who have gained a lot of experience in LF2 [Liga Femenina 2] - as is the case of Ainhoa ​​Lacorzana, Esther Castedo and Raquel Carrera.

“Our differential feature is our very tough defense, made with a lot of heart and spirit. From this, we were competitive two years ago at the U18 level.

“In offense, we are not exempt of quality with Laura Piera, Helena Pueyo, Lacorzana, Castedo or Carrera and from all of this, the objective is to be a team.

“It is always a privilege to be able to work with the best 12 or 15 players of each generation,” continued the play-caller.

“While still being basketball, it is a change. As they are girls, the psychology is different, it is another pressure which is different from that of the senior competition and working with professional players.

“The fundamental difference is that you have to prepare a team in three weeks and compete. The requirement has to be greater by having less preparation time.”

Lopez and his team are set to go up against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic and Serbia in Group C.

FIBA