LISBON (2016 FIBA U17 Women's World Championship) - As Portugal contemplate a quite glorious global debut at youth level in Zaragoza, it's clear that Beatriz Jordao will carry a significant chunk of their hopes.

An absolute colossus last year at the U16 Women's European Championship, the center found herself in the All-Star Five after helping her country rack up a glut of historical firsts, including reaching the Final of the competition in front of a jaw-dropping crowd of almost 5,000.

The most memorable moment was in the Final, when we had Portuguese fans supporting us as I felt that love and support deep in my heart. It was a great thrill seeing the team improve from the first day until the last day and every single time I remember the tournament, I become speechless - it was truly a life changing moment. - Jordao

With an array of spectacular blocked shots that wowed the adoring locals, Jordao is looking to continue the momentum when she will once again be the anchor in the paint as Portugal make their FIBA U17 Women's World Championship debut.

However, while hugely excited by the prospect of another historic chapter, it really is going to take something beyond extraordinary to exceed the Matosinhos fairy-tale of 2015.

"The most memorable moment was in the Final, when we had Portuguese fans supporting us as I felt that love and support deep in my heart. It was a great thrill seeing the team improve from the first day until the last day and every single time I remember the tournament, I become speechless - it was truly a life changing moment."

She continued: "In order to keep up with our success, we have continued working hard since the last day of that Championship. We all have goals and we have to be humble. Not only do our individual skills count, but collectively as a team, we have to be strong and work together. Certainly everyone will be doing what they can individually, since it is a great honour to represent Portugal.

"At this FIBA U17 Women's World Championship, all the teams are strong and have the conditions to be successful. It is very competitive and the games must all be faced as if it were a Final. And, in relation to the game against Spain [having beaten them by 20 points in last year's Semi-Final], we are conscious that it won't be easy and the fact that they are playing at home will make the game even harder."

Beating Spain by 20 points in the Semi-Final was the most eye-catching win in Portuguese youth basketball history as they beat their neighbours for a first time.

Having made so many people sit up and take notice last year with her superb displays, Jordao took that confidence into the turning of a new page in her career.

She explained: "This past year playing in Quinta dos Lombos was an amazing experience as it was my first year playing in the female senior Portuguese league.

"Having the opportunity to learn with older and more experienced players was enriching. We had a great season and after all the hard work, both the junior and senior team made it to the top four in the National Finals."

Jordao is one of the big hopes for the future of Portuguese basketball. Those in the know, might envisage her eventually playing for the senior national team alongside another rising star under the basket in Maria Kostourkova. Such a prospect is an alluring one - even for the neutrals.

But the eye-catching waves being made by so many of Portugal's youth teams in recent times needs to now have an end product - having never been a nation who has appeared at a major senior tournament, this would be the ultimate goal.

One thing Jordao and any other Portuguese player never lacks is patriotism and passion.

The passionate Jordao is a huge favourite with Portugal fans

It cascaded from the stands in Matosinhos and also on the floor. Playing for her country might be the ultimate honour, but the teenager knows that the cherry on cake would be the successful transformation of the seniors.

"The current [youth] generations have all been progressing Portuguese women's basketball," mused Jordao. "Obviously one of my dreams is to play for the senior team and to represent them in the best possible way. Especially if it is a EuroBasket Women Final Round - and hopefully this is something that can be done with many more of my current colleagues.

"Representing Portugal is always an honour and I will always give my best to make them reach the top," she concluded.

Jordao and Portugal will face Brazil, Mali and Spain in Group D when the action gets underway in Zaragoza next month.

FIBA