ATHENS (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017) – After being denied what had seemingly been a proposed swansong two years ago, the legendary Evanthia Maltsi is ready for one final fling in the team colors of Greece.

Crowned MVP at EuroBasket Women 2009 in one of her finest hours when she poured in more than 22 points per game during a major career peak, the free-scoring guard has only featured once since.

Missing out in 2013, her widely anticipated return in 2015 was then derailed by injury and many thought that it was too much to ask for her to remain in contention for next month's edition.

Maltsi was on fire in 2009 and fired Greece to the FIBA World Championship for Women a year later.

Yet at 38-years-old, Maltsi is enjoying some sunshine in the winter of her career. Having moved back to her homeland last year after spending the bulk of her time outside of Greece, she had been hoping to take Olympiacos to EuroCup Women glory.

But, that dream faded all too quickly as the giants suffered an unexpected premature exit – although having lifted the Greek Cup and also now the Greek Championship, she will head to the Czech Republic back on a high.

Maltsi also led Greece in both scoring and assists during the Qualifiers to underline her influence and she's looking to bow out on a high with her fellow veterans. Indeed Greece are a lock to be the oldest and most experienced roster on Czech soil, with Maltsi set to play with the likes of Styliani Kaltsidou, who she lines-up alongside at club level.

"The national team is in my heart and it is always an honor and joy for me to serve on it," she declared.

"Our participation in another Final Round is a great success and we knew from the outset [before the draw] that there would be no easy group for us.

"The presence of both Serbia and France makes it even harder, but even if this is the case, our goal is to move on to the next phase and from then on we will claim what is appropriate for us.

"All these years, this particular group I have played with has been characterized by its passion and its heart - something we will have with us again for this event.

"It is a matter of course that we will prepare and present ourselves well in the games," insisted Maltsi.

Greece will also go up against Slovenia in Group C - well as France and Serbia

FIBA