Preview: Groups C and D
PODGORICA (FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship Division B 2016) – Ahead of tomorrow’s action in Podgorica, we take a look at the teams in Groups C and D at the FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship Division B 2016.
It looks like Lithuania might be favourites to top Group C, since they probably have the most potent frontcourt in Podgorica with the presence of Kibirkstis pair Laura Juskaite and Daugile Sarauskaite. Powerful and skilled in equal measure, Juskaite is one of the most promising forwards of her generation in Europe and led Lithuania in points, rebounds, assists and steals at the FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship 2015 and has attended several senior practices to gain more experience.
Sarauskaite knows Podgorica well after being a dominant figure last summer, with a wonderful 15.3 points and 12.6 boards per game. They also have skill in the backcourt and wings with the likes of the creative and exciting Dalia Belickaite to all upon.
Israel will see their clash against Great Britain as the pivotal one. They have excellent continuity, since the team that competed at this tournament last year were all 1996 or 1997 born, rather than 1995 which was the case with most other teams.
They will feel they can improve and they can draw strength from not necessarily having standout stars, but a range of contributors right down the roster which makes them hard to lock down. Tal Yakov is a capable scorer, Tal Lev is quick and can spot a pass or intercept with gusto and Daniel Raber will crash the boards.
Great Britain find themselves with charismatic senior women’s play-caller Jose Maria 'Chema' Buceta at the helm for their campaign and the Spaniard will be hoping his side can compete and improve on their disappointing 1-8 record at the event last summer.
And it's a very good afternoon from us .... #GBballers pic.twitter.com/Bq2oh6eQQ6
— GB Basketball (@gbbasketball) July 5, 2016
He will rely on a core of from the ever-improving domestic game, with his roster including Women’s British Basketball League (WBBL) Young Player of the Year, Georgia Gayle and her predecessor for the gong, in the shape of star forward Savannah Wilkinson. There is also Kyla Nelson on the wing who worked out at senior camp earlier this year and a new naturalised option in Kennedy Leonard from the University of Colorado.
Finally in Group D, Slovenia look well placed to make the biggest impact and they could have a great chance of promotion, since they will benefit from the presence of some of their most talented players in a number of years.
They finished fifth on home soil at the FIBA U18 Women's European Championship in Celje and play-caller Damir Grgic will want to get his team to the top flight so they can compete during 2017 in Division A. Annamaria Prezelj is a class act and one to watch as she is always scoring, with Larisa Ocvirk also a big danger.
With Slovenia looking a lock to take pole position, host nation Montenegro will be looking to compete with Slovenia and at the very least, despatch underdogs Ireland. Montenegro will hope last year’s leading scorer Sladana Rakovic and the excellent Bozica Mujovic who topped the team’s charts for rebounds, assists and steals, can both produce again.
Ireland return to the competition after a seven-year hiatus, although many of their players stepped out last summer at the FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship Division B. Sarah Kenny is likely to lead the team after she starred last year in Bucharest with some fine work in the paint.
FIBA
