RUS – Karpunina blow for Russia

MOSCOW (2010 FIBA World Championship for Women) - Russia guard Marina Karpunina will not play at the FIBA World Championship because of a serious knee injury.

The 26-year-old, a solid shooter and defender, tore ligaments during a recently friendly against Greece and national team coach Boris Sokolovsky has confirmed she will play no part for the national team in the Czech Republic.

The injury is a devastating blow for the player, and to her club Spartak Moscow Region.

“She will be operated on in two to three weeks and it looks like she will miss most, if not all the season,” Spartak general manager Steve Costalas said to FIBA.com from the United States where he was watching club stars Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird lead Seattle to the WNBA title.

“We still cannot believe it.”

As for Russia, Sokolovsky will be getting Svetlana Abrosimova back to the team.

Abrosimova was on the Seattle Storm team that won the WNBA title last week and the national team coach said it was cause for great celebration for Russia.

“Everyone in the team is happy for her,” Sokolovsky said.

“It’s a big event for her, and for the entire country. I’ve already sent her a congratulatory text SMS message.”

It looks like Abrosimova won’t be the only WNBA player in the Russia squad with Becky Hammon having already travelled to Russia to join her teammates.

Hammon first played for Russia at the Beijing Olympics and last year, she joined the club deep in their EuroBasket Women campaign and helped them capture a silver medal.

Russia are holding a press conference on Tuesday to announce their team for the World Championship.

Sokolovsky, Abrosimova, Ilona Korstin and Russian Basketball Federation president Sergei Chernov will be in attendance.

FIBA