FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 musings: Groups A and B

NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide) - The draw for the FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Final Round in Czech Republic threw up some fascinating match-ups when it was made in Prague last Friday.

Group A sees the host nation pitched in against Hungary, Spain and Ukraine. Right away my first thought was that there will be some fun joking and words in the locker room of Czech champions and former EuroLeague Women winners, ZVVZ USK Prague. They form the spine of the Czech national team, but they also have a Spanish backcourt in the legendary Laia Palau [for whom I am assuming it will be a swansong] and Marta Xargay.

Spain will be favourites and rightly so, as they look to recapture the title they relinquished last year at Final Round in Budapest. I can imagine the scouting report for head coach Lucas Mondelo will be exceptional with Palau and Xargay two very smart players who can pass on every inside detail required.

Rightly or wrongly assuming Spain will be expected to finish in pole position, I see very little between all the other three teams and I genuinely mean that. I think that the match-ups between Ukraine, Hungary and Czech Republic are wholly unpredictable.

Ukraine did the double over Serbia to punch their ticket and have a phenomenal talent in Alina Iagupova, but now also a naturalised component in D’Andra Moss which is following the path taken by so many other nations. They will be seriously tough. They also played the Czech team in the Group stage last time and lost 80-79 in a thriller.

As for Czech Republic, they have lost some vast experience in recent years in the shape of Eva Viteckova, Veronika Bortelova and Co, and with sharp-shooter Katerina Elhotova having only recently having given birth, they must overachieve in my opinion if they want to make a deep run.

That is unless they have Kia Vaughn as a naturalised player and get her to delay WNBA preparation and court time to represent them. Home support is also likely to drive them forward – if they avoid the choke, which sometimes can happen to hosts.

Hungary may look a little hit and miss. I say that after they hammered Slovak Republic on the road during qualifying and yet also suffered a shock upset at the hands of Iceland. But with either Allie Quigley or Courtney Vandersloot in their naturalised slot and some players who have improved dramatically such as FIBA 3X3 champion Dora Medgeyessy, they will be dangerous. Yes, they are underdogs, but dismissing them would be a mistake.

Checking into Group B which will also be located in Hradec Kralove, it is probably Turkey’s for the taking if they want it.

They are blessed with either Quanitra Hollingsworth or Lara Sanders and their naturalised slot and the rest of the roster isn't too shabby either! With both Isil Alben and Birsel Vardarli Demirmen pulling the strings, the have the foundation to challenge for the top five as usual.

Belarus will be dependent upon who turns up and whether their veterans in Yelena Leuchanka and Lindsey Harding take to the floor. That experience could see them through and in any one-off game, they have shown in the last decade what they are capable of. I like the way the likes of Maryia Popova is developing at Galatasaray.

I am most excited about Italy though. They really could be absolutely anything. I say that with huge respect, since they are one of my favourite nations when it comes to women’s basketball. You have to be hopeful for Cecilia Zandalasini emerging on the senior stage in a big way, since Italy need her to pick up the mantle of the veterans like Raffaella Masciadri and Laura Macchi whose longevity is amazing, but are in the twilight of their careers at the international level.

Slovak Republic had Kristi Toliver at Final Round last year and the difference was palpable. They need to return her or find an alternative naturalised player if they want to make a surprise and get out of the group. They are in safe hands with Maros Kovacik and have talent in Barbora Balintova, Zofia Hruscakova and the veteran Anna Jurcenkova. But, without the additional boost of that naturalised spot, it could be difficult for them.

Next week, I’ll log-in to take you through my initial thoughts on Groups C and D based in Prague.

Paul Nilsen
FIBA

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