Cruz backs Romero to shine for Spain
MADRID (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017) – There will be a changing of the guard after FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 for Spain, with the experienced Anna Cruz backing the emerging Leticia Romero to meet the challenge.
Blessed with an array of top quality guards, Spain will wave goodbye to Laia Palau this summer when she signs off in Czech Republic.
But, Cruz believes the emergence of Romero will mitigate some of the loss which will be felt as the legendary point guard hangs up her national team vest.
As Palau passes on the torch, it will be Cruz who is most likely to grasp it and become the main leader for Spain. Even so, she is expecting Romero to begin growing in influence as the 21-year-old embarks on her second Final Round appearance.
Romero will also touch down in Prague next month with confidence after receiving rave reviews for her displays in the NCAA at Kansas State and Florida State University.
This led to her being drafted by Connecticut Sun and with Cruz having already established herself during recent years in the States, she's expecting Romero to be a hit in the WNBA one day.
"Nobody wants Laia to finish," said Cruz.
"However, Leticia is ready and she has proved she can play at a very good level with us.
"I think we will miss Laia a lot, both on and off the court, but we are all ready to accept this and to try and move on.
"Leticia did a very good job in her four years at College and she has the talent to play in the WNBA. In time, I can see this happening for her."
Romero already has an Olympic Final on her resume and Cruz is ready to ensure the pair add a gold medal to their list of honors as Spain try to recapture the 2013 EuroBasket Women title they relinquished two years ago – with Cruz having missed the title win in France through injury.
"Rio was amazing and a very big thing for us, since nobody truly expected a first Olympic Final and a silver medal," commented Cruz, who was crowned a EuroLeague Women champion with Dynamo Kursk last month.
"It was my first Olympic Games and I enjoyed it so much that I really hope it won't be my last as we had so much fun.
"But now we are only looking ahead and the mission is to win gold, but it will be very difficult.
"It is never easy and we always looking for a medal of some kind, but we want to finish on the top and together, we will do everything we can to try and make it possible," concluded the guard.
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