Maljkovic goes with initial 18 for Serbia

BELGRADE (EuroBasket Women 2015) - Serbia have announced their initial candidate list for EuroBasket Women 2015, with head coach Marina Maljkovic having 18 names to select from.

Due to start their camp on Monday, the core of the team which made the sparkling run to the Semi-Finals of the event in France two years ago and then subsequently stepped out for the first time at the FIBA Women's World Championship last year are back on board.

The only exceptions are forward Jovana Rad and Marina Markovic, while there is also no place for the recently WNBA drafted Dragana Stankovic, who had been expected to get the nod.

However, there is a place for her UE Sopron team-mate and FIBA Europe Young Women's Player of the Year nominee, Aleksandra Crvendakic.

Star swingman Ana Dabovic is also on the list - despite concerns over her plans for the summer in the wake of being signed by the Los Angeles Sparks.

Sister Milica Dabovic will also be a driving force in trying to propel Serbia to an inaugural podium spot, as will Jelena Milovanovic who is the prize asset in the paint.

As anticipated, Serbia's first naturalised player Danielle Page of Basket Landes also looks on course to secure a berth for the Final Round.

"It's another year and another great contest," declared Maljkovic.

"The previous two tournaments remain good memories for us, but to continue the series and obtain primarily good results, we have to be smart, strong, well-coordinated, fast, durable and wise.

"We anticipate a month and a half of hard work, which should bring us the product of quality games.

EuroBasket Women 2015 has added weight because it represents a qualification for the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016. - Maljkovic

"We are aware of the expectations of the nation after the results we have achieved.

"As always, we will give our best and that approach has always brought us something good in previous years.

"The group is difficult and we can expect a big fight, but we believe in our dreams."

Serbia are in Group C and will play matches in Szombathely against Croatia, Great Britain, Latvia and Russia.

Serbia preliminary squad for EuroBasket Women 2015: Tijana Ajdukovic, Dajana Butulija, Sasa Cadjo, Aleksandra Crvendakic, Ana Dabovic, Milica Dabovic, Nevena Jovanovic, Jefimija Karakasevic, Sara Krnjic, Jelena Maksimovic, Sanja Mandic, Jelena Milovanovic, Danielle Page, Tamara Radocaj, Aleksandra Stanacev, Biljana Stjepanovic, Kristina Topuzovic, Jovana Vukoje.

Go to eurobasketwomen2015.com for full coverage of EuroBasket Women 2015.

FIBA