Group C Preview

BRNO (2010 FIBA World Championship for Women) - Spain coach Jose Ignacio Hernandez firmly believes the arrival of Sancho Lyttle from the WNBA is going to make a good Spanish team a great one.

Lyttle, one of the best players in the EuroLeague Women last season at Halcon Avenida, became a citizen earlier this year and was handed a spot in the national squad.

Though she has missed all of the team’s preparations while playing for the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA, Hernandez is confident she will make a difference as they go into Group C play this week against Brazil, Korea and Mali.

"This could possibly be the best national team we have had,” Hernandez said.

“Sancho Lyttle greatly increases our quality.

“We are confident she will help us a lot, although we also have other great players.”

But will Lyttle have enough time to develop an understanding with her teammates?

“The fact that she has joined late is something we have to accept,” Hernandez said.

“I believe her great quality will allow her to adapt quicker to the team.

“I am, however, fearful because in the last few games in the Final of the WNBA, she wasn't able to play at her best and I worry that could be down to mental and physical tiredness.”

Spain’s main rivals in the pool appear to be Brazil.

In fact, Brazil are fourth in the FIBA World Rankings for Women with 456 points and Spain are fifth with 455.

The Brazilians are led by a Spanish coach.

Carlos Colinas was handed the reins earlier this year.

"It's normal that there is a certain anxiety and nervousness heading into this top tournament,” Colinas said.

"Korea has a style of play that is uncomfortable for their rivals.

“They are difficult to defend against.

“Mali is limited technically and should be the easiest game for us in the first round.

“Spain is a competitive team and with Sancho Lyttle having been included in the roster, it will strengthen a position that they were weak in the past.

“I believe the game against Spain will decide who will finish first of the group."

Mali are led by USO Mondeville coach Herve Coudray and his best known player is Hamchetou Maiga.

The Frenchman has made no secret of the country’s primary aim to get ready for next year’s FIBA Africa Championship, which will be staged in Mali.

Korea, meanwhile, thrashed Japan in last year’s FIBA Asia Championship Semi-Finals and have the ability to beat any of the teams in Group B.

Brazil certainly don’t need reminding of that because Korea beat them on the opening day of the 2008 Olympics.

That result ultimately saw the Koreans through to the Quarter-Finals of the Beijing Games and not the Brazilians.

Spain do seem to have a lot of optimism going into Group C play.

They plan to pull out all stops in a bid to reach not just the last four of the World Championship but the podium.

“It's the first World Championship where we go to with the view of competing against everyone,” Hernandez said.

“It's true that Australia and USA are a step head but we can compete against the rest and opt for the first time to get a medal.”

Group C games available live on FIBATV.com:

September 23 - Korea vs. Brazil - 13.15 GMT
September 23 - Mali vs. Spain - 18.15 GMT
September 24 - Spain vs. Korea - 13.15 GMT
September 24 - Brazil vs. Mali - 18.15 GMT
September 25 - Mali vs. Korea - 13.15 GMT
September 25 - Brazil vs. Spain - 16.00 GMT

FIBA