Here come the Brazilians!

MADRID (The Eurovision) - "It's not the way it used to be, Jeff.

"Brazil are on the way down.

"It's a shame."

That's what they told me, and stupidly, I believed 'em.

They were wrong.

International basketball needs a strong Brazil and they are.

Believe me.

In 40 minutes on Wednesday of a 71-68 upset of FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament hosts Spain, I saw nothing about Brazil's women that I did not like.

They're quick, they're big and they're hungry.

And they play with smiles on their faces.

We knew they had Iziane and Claudinha and Karla.

They have a whole lot more.

They have a young center named Graziane, a 1.91m bulldozer who came into the team after injury knocked Erika out of the event.

You know who Graziane reminds me of? Big Sofo of Greece. She's 100% POWER, and then some.

Oh, they have Kelly, Mama and Ega, too.

There is absolutely no drop-off in talent when one player comes in for another. It's that way for the guards as well.

Claudinha is terrific, but so is Natalia.

The 23-year-old makes you melt before she tells you, "I have four dogs."

"What kind?" I ask.

"I have a Rottweiler, two pit bulls (terriers) and a poodle."

"Gosh, I don't feel comfortable around poodles," I tell her.

Then there is Micaela, a 1.80m small forward who can flat out play. The left-hander drilled her only three-pointer, and finished five of nine overall.

Forget the offense.

I saw a Brazil on Wednesday that I had never seen.

It was a Brazil that new coach, Paulo Bassul, who took over from long-time boss Antonio Barbosa last year and has a likeness to actor/comedian Ben Stiller, had never seen as well.

"Usually Brazil does not defend strong like today," he said.

"We are learning. We must do that. We have a new generation and if you don't have strong defense, you won't have a chance at this level."

I like this Brazil.

Jeff Taylor