LAT - Elphinston gives thumbs-up to EuroBasket Women in Latvia

RIGA (EuroBasket Women) - FIBA president Bob Elphiston has hailed Latvia for staging a magnificent EuroBasket Women.

Elphinston has even expressed the opinion that the country could host FIBA World Championship for Women one day.

"Absolutely," he said, when asked about the possibility.

"You have the organising skills and leadership. You have an excellent venue. The Riga Arena is a world-class venue.

"The size of a country is not important but what is important is the enthusiasm.

"Latvia has a remarkable reputation for women's basketball."

The Latvia women's team has been a huge hit the past few years.

After a Semi-Final appearance at the EuroBasket Women in Italy two years ago, the Latvians and hundreds of fans travelled to Madrid for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

In Spain, Latvia earned a spot at the Beijing Games.

As hosts of the EuroBasket Women, thousands of fans have poured into the arenas in Liepaja and Riga to watch their games.

Andris Biedrins, the country's most famous men's player who is on the books of the Golden State Warriors, has been a fixture at games along with Latvia President Valdis Zatlers.

"As president of FIBA, I would like to say how pleased I am to be here in Latvia," Elphinston said.

"The event has been an outstanding success. I comend the Latvian federation and all those that have worked so hard under difficult economic times.

"The venue, the press facilities, the accommodation - there is nothing that I could fault in this event.

"More importantly, the standard of play is very high."

Elphinston does not believe there is a huge gulf in class between last year's Olympic medalists - the United States (gold), Australia (silver) and Russia (bronze) - and the rest of the world.

"The incentive is there for the five teams to qualify for next year's FIBA World Championship," Elphinston said.

"Some people think the standard is not as high as it should be, with three teams at one level, USA, Australia and Russia, and then a gap.

"I am not of that opinion. I don't see that here when looking at the performances of Slovakia, Spain, Belarus, France and I'm also pleased with the performance of Greece at this level."

Elphinston echoed the sentiments of FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann expressed earlier in the week about the Olympic men's tournament.

"FIBA continue to push very hard the IOC to increase the number of teams at the Olympics in the men's tournament from 12 to 16," Elphinston said.

"Basketball was the second most watched sport around the world at the Olympics. It was ahead of everything except athletics. We think in London basketball will be very popular. We know there is depth in men's basketball.

"From an Olympic point of view, it can add plenty of prestige. We will continue to push hard. At this point in time, we don't consider doing the same for the women for the time being, but that will come, I'm sure."

FIBA