Johansson excited about second consecutive EuroBasket Women appearance
STOCKHOLM (EuroBasket Women 2015) - Sweden national team head coach Lars Johansson is bullish about his team's prospects for EuroBasket Women 2015 after revealing the 24-strong candidate list for the tournament taking place in Hungary and Romania (11-28 June).
While the play-caller and national federation are still working through issues in relation to Farhiya Abdi and Amanda Zahui and their WNBA commitments, there is plenty for Johansson to be upbeat about.
"I think that as usual, we will have a great team to work with and I am confident that we will make a strong impact at the Championship.
"We generally have less than some of our opponents, but we will compensate for this with aggressive and fast-paced games."
Having made a splash on their return to the event two years ago after a significant period of absence, Sweden will once again rely on sister act Frida and Elin Eldebrink in the backcourt, while naturalized swingman Ashley Key is also back to provide further firepower on the wings.
Louice Halvarsson and veteran Anna Barthold are likely to be the main contributors in the paint - although that will change if Abdi and Zahui are able to step out in Hungary and Romania.
Sweden will prepare with friendly games against Latvia in Sodertalje and Stockholm during early June - following it up with match-ups with Poland and a tournament against Lithuania, Great Britain and France.
Once the action gets underway for real, Sweden will lock horns in Group D with Hungary, Lithuania, Slovak Republic and Spain in Sopron.
Sweden preliminary squad for EuroBasket Women 2015: Malin Aasa, Farhiya Abdi, Frida Aili, Kadidja Andersson, Katarina Andersson, Anna Barthold, Binta Drammeh, Elisabeth Egnell, Elin Eldebrink, Frida Eldebrink, Maryam Gultekin, Danielle Hamilton Carter, Louice Halvarsson, Ulrika Holmqvist, Johanna Kallman, Ashley Key, Tanya Massamba, Agnes Nordstrom, Allis Nystrom, Ellen Nystrom, Martina Staalvant, Stefanie Yderstrom, Amanda Zahui.
Go to eurobasketwomen2015.com for full coverage of EuroBasket Women 2015.
FIBA
