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27 September, 2014
05 October
Lucas Mondelo (ESP)
08/09/2014
News
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Mondelo troubled by prospect of making Spanish cuts

MURCIA (FIBA World Championship for Women) - After storming to success in the Murcia preparation tournament and with some of his fringe players performing well, Spain head coach Lucas Mondelo has confessed it is going to be difficult to trim his roster for the FIBA World Championship for Women.

Having racked up wins against Japan and Serbia, the hosts made it three wins in as many games as they obliterated Angola 90-40 to win the warm-up competition.

"We played more orderly and although it was against Angola, they are still the African champions," stated Mondelo.

"All of things we had spoken about both in defence and attack were rigorously applied.

"I am very happy with the attitude of everyone - the atmosphere is very good and we have three weeks to finish rounding off our approach.

"However, the real misery is that I have to now make decisions on discarding players and any decision may be unfair.

"The greatness though is that it could be anyone, because the batch of young players we now have give us a guarantee and especially on the perimeter."

One of those players hoping her shooting prowess will be enough to squeeze onto the final roster is Leonor Rodriquez.

The guard suffered the agony of just missing out on a gold medal winning experience at EuroBasket Women 2013 last year and strengthened her cause with a 14-point haul against Angola.

"The truth is that the whole team has been very comfortable," she revealed.

"We pulled over and passed when we had to, because knowing that you can prove your overall game is good.

"When shooting, I was just thinking with confidence," added Rodriquez.

One player who doesn't have to sweat on her place is Alba Torrens. She will be one of the main Spanish turbos that will fuel the challenge of the European champions in Ankara.

The dynamic wing player was satisfied with the Murcia tournament and especially the ruthless display against Angola, which she believes sets the team on a strong path to the FIBA World Championship for Women.

"It was a great game, both in defence and attack," said Torrens.

"We were very successful and we are playing very well.

"We are very encouraged for the World Championship and gradually things are improving.

"There are still things to correct, but we have time to get up to one hundred percent for the first match (in Ankara) against Japan."

Spain's next preparation tournament will take place in Belarus from this weekend.

FIBA