NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide) - If you weren't sure whether to watch, follow or engage with FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 which tips off on Friday, here are 17 reasons to persuade you.

- It's the first FIBA Continental Cup of the calendar year and that always gives it a bit of an extra special feeling as our annual delve into international basketball begins. It's also the highest quality FIBA Continental Championship from top to bottom, with very few, if any weak links.

- The field has been cut from 20 to 16 teams and when you look at Sweden, Croatia, Lithuania and Great Britain who have been regulars, but didn't make this one, it hammers home the fiercely competitive nature of it - from the first tip of the Qualifiers, to the last buzzer at The Final Round. 

- The competition system has been altered dramatically, with the tournament trimmed in length from almost three weeks to just 11 days and no 'middle stage'. That means it is going to be even more gripping and possibly open the door for nations with a great 6-8 player rotation, but not necessarily depth and I like that additional capacity for more teams to make a deeper run.

- Nobody ever seems to defend this title and to emphasize just how tough it is, you must rewind 26 years when the old Soviet Union held on to their crown. So, you can make that 12 editions now without a defending champion - an astonishing fact.

- Linked to this theme, the re-emergence of Russia could be one of the stories and that is huge for followers of the women’s game who have seen great players and teams representing this juggernaut. Capturing the title in 2011, they unthinkably crashed out at the first hurdle in 2013 and then had the pain of missing out on the Rio Olympics at the 2015 edition. But, they now have the tools to push for the podium and maybe even the title. I also think they will head into EuroBasket Women 2019 as favorites and they are winning new fans all the time.

- I love a slice of history and that is what will happen when debutantes Slovenia play for the very first time at The Final Round. It will be very emotional and they have done great to make it in a reduced field. Also, most interestingly, don't think of them as tourists, since they are genuine dark horses.

- Great veteran players will be undertaking potential swansongs, if not entirely, then surely their last appearance at The Final Round. At the risk of retiring players prematurely, that means great players like Celine Dumerc, Laia Palau, Laura Macchi, Evanthia Maltsi, Gunta Basko-Melnbarde, Zuzana Zirkova, Jelena Skerovic, Ann Wauters and possibly more.

- FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 qualification brings an added spice and edge, with five teams presumably joining host nation Spain next year. Outside of Russia, France and Serbia, I think it is wide-open and this is set to be a fascinating competition within a competition.

- I am not sure there can be more of an honor than seeing potentially great future players making their debuts as rising stars at The Final Round. My 'watch-list' is extensive, but Alexia Chartereau, Marine Johannes, Emma Meesseman, Cecilia Zandalasini and Maria Conde are just examples to scribble down.

- The return of Belgium to the top table after the absence of a decade is fascinating and very fulfilling for a neutral. I think they have the players to make a real splash and the Quarter-Finals or even a spot in Spain next year are not out of the question with great performers like Meeseman, Wauters and Kim Mestdagh to call upon.

- Naturalized stars add further class to the line-ups and whether you love or loathe the principle, it’s here to stay, so learn to enjoy it. Courtney Vandersloot is one of the best players in the world right now if her sensational form at Yakin Dogu Universitesi is anything to go by and she will debut at the event for her adopted country, Hungary which will be great - as will Kia Vaughn playing for Czech Republic.

- It can't be very often at any major basketball event like this, that four consecutive MVPs will all collide in the competition, with Evanthia Maltsi [2009], Elena Kirillova [2011], Sancho Lyttle [2013] and Ana Dabovic [2015] all ready to roll.

- It is also sensational that a staggering five leading scorers [points per game] from the past five editions will also be present and that is exciting. Ann Wauters [2007], Evanthia Maltsi [2009], Iva Perovanovic [2011], Sancho Lyttle [2013], Alba Torrens [2015].

- This is surely going to the quickest and most high-octane edition of the tournament’s illustrious history. There are many seriously big-hitting centers missing for multiple reasons and more teams might have to play quick-ball to get the job done. Or, will those with their big guns in the paint be able to dominate? There are some gorgeous clashes of styles lying in wait.

- The passion and the drama is so often compelling and all-consuming.

- Unpredictability is the middle name of EuroBasket Women. Expect the unexpected and forget about trying to predict as five different nations have won gold at the last six editions which is incredible.

- Finally, you should always take your own advice. Only, I haven't and was required as the FIBA Women's specialist to somehow try and predict the winner, MVP and who makes Spain 2018. I am hopping after tipping Serbia to surprise two years ago, my streak can continue.

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

FIBA's columnists write on a wide range of topics relating to basketball that are of interest to them. The opinions they express are their own and in no way reflect those of FIBA.

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