Valdemoro: ''Enjoy the moment because it's one that you will keep for the rest of your life''

MADRID (Spain) - Spanish legend Amaya Valdemoro has urged all the young ballers headed for the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2023 to soak up the experience and make the most of the tournament.

After a stunning career at the elite level and having won a stack of trophies and honors, Valdemoro has since reflected on how she never got to play in the prestigious competition.   Despite winning two silver medals at the European level, the old four-year cycle of the U19 Worlds fell at the wrong time for her.

"THEY SHOULD HAVE FUN, ENJOY THE VICTORIES AND EVEN THE LOSSES TOO, BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU LEARN MORE THAN WHEN YOU WIN." - Amaya Valdemoro

She revealed: "I was a player with a lot of dreams. I have great memories as a young girl and can't describe the feelings I had to play for my national team.

"But I was so disappointed beacuse at my age we didn't play any U19 World Cup and I think life has changed a lot now. Back then we didn't have all the different youth tournaments every year like they do now. 

"I think it is very important for players  to have a tournament with the national team each year because this helps the growth of all the talented young players.

"They must all enjoy the moment because it is one that they will keep for the rest of their lives. They should have fun, enjoy the victories and even the losses too, because sometimes you learn more than when you win. They should also be prepared for this U19 World Cup because every year the level is harder and harder.

Valdemoro competed in four FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup tournaments, winning bronze in 2010

"Also everyone can now see you because of social media and back then when I played, we didn't have the internet or Instagram or Twitter - people had to go in person to watch you play."

While Valdemoro missed out on competing at U19 level, it didn't take her long to make up for that. She went on to play at no fewer than four FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup tournaments, winning a bronze medal in her last.

In the more recent era, Spain made history by making a historic first Final in 2014 and then took a bronze medal on home soil in 2018. Many of the players who delivered so much senior success have come through the pipeline and stepped out at so many FIBA tournaments. 

Valdemoro is adamant that this has been the cornerstone of Spain's rise and rise that has made them a women's basketball powerhouse. 

U19 Worlds alumni  (2007) Alba Torrens took Spain to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Final in 2014

"In the Spanish Federation we have been doing a great job with the girls teams," she mused.

"I think in Spain we have a lot of talent, but also that young talent is always very competitive. This helps the national senior teams a lot because all the players that came from the youth teams know how to compete and play."

Along with Valdemoro, everyone is now excited to see if any Spanish players shine at this edition of the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup and make an impact on the senior team in these upcoming years.

Spain will go up against Argentina, Australia and France in the Group phase, with all participating players also getting the chance to taste some history by becoming the first to ball on an innovative glass flooring court in an official FIBA competition. 

FIBA