GRE – Magnificent Maltsi always ready when it comes to HELLAS!

PRAGUE (2010 FIBA World Championship for Women) - When looking ahead to Tuesday’s draw in the Czech Republic for the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Women, great moments from this year's qualifying events immediately come to mind.

One wonderful moment occurred in the late afternoon of June 20 in Latvia, when 12 girls with the word HELLAS emblazoned on the fronts of their shirts formed a circle, arms intertwined, and danced on the Arena Riga court.

They were celebrating because Greece had capped an incredible run in the Baltics with a come-from-behind triumph over Italy to claim the fifth and final spot on offer for the World Championship.

Inspired all tournament long by the play of Evina Maltsi, Greek women’s basketball achieved one of the most important results in its history.

Never before had the Greek women claimed a spot at the World Championship.

Maltsi, who is in the thick of the EuroLeague Women campaign with defending Czech champions ZVVZ USK Prague, has one eye on next year when Greece will return to the floor. She answered Jeff Taylor's questions for FIBA.com.

Evina, you’ve had two incredible experiences in your life as a member of Greece's national team. You played at the Olympics in front of your home crowd in 2004 and this summer, you and Greece qualified for the FIBA World Championship for Women for the first time with a fifth-place finish at the EuroBasket. Looking back on those events, what emotions do you still feel?

Evina Maltsi: Talking about emotions, let’s start with the fact that I love playing with my national team, representing my country. Participating in big basketball events like the Olympic Games and European Championships is already a success for every basketball player. For me, 2004 in Athens was an amazing experience! The Olympic Games, and in my country, was a great combination. Playing in front of our home crowd which created an awesome atmosphere for us is something that I will never forget! And 2009 was the next best thing in my career. The fifth place in Latvia and the ticket to the World Championship next year is a great success for my country. We actually made history for Greek women’s basketball! This fact itself makes me feel GREAT!

What made this year even better for you is that you were voted MVP of the EuroBasket and it was definitely deserved. Did you ever expect, or dream of claiming such an honor?

Evina Maltsi: Thank you. The MVP award was definitely a big honor! I couldn’t expect something like that. For me, especially coming from a team in fifth place, was totally unexpected. I want to thank my coaches and teammates who had my back all this time in that tournament and of course, all the people who voted for me. It was the best moment of my career.

Your EuroBasket women side was recognized in Athens last week for its terrific summer. Do you think the women’s team is finally getting its due in Greece?

Evina Maltsi: I think that everyone gets what he or she deserves so that’s what we got last week in Greece. Having people’s attention is something that you earn and our success did that.

At the draw on Tuesday, which teams would you like to go up against?

Evina Maltsi: I’ve learned that we should never pick our opponents. Okay, well ... I would like to have the easiest of course but we don’t know who those are. Anyway, everything about basketball is how much you worked before the game and how ready you are. Being lucky comes after that. I just wish us health and luck!

What will the mindset be for Greece going into the FIBA World Championship for Women and also, will Kostas Missas still be the coach?

Evina Maltsi: We will try to go as far as possible. Kostas Missas will be in charge for us and this was our deal right after the end of the European Championship in Latvia. He is our maestro!

FIBA