Paul-Nilsen-Column
23/09/2014
Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide
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Recent events spice things up in Istanbul

NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide) - Having made a strong case for Ankara being my preferred location for the Group Phase of the FIBA World Championship for Women, events over the weekend narrowed the gap.

Unfortunately it was bad news for Australia which potentially threw things open in Group C in Istanbul as they lost Liz Cambage to injury at the Paris tournament - something which is a crushing blow for the Opals and neutrals like myself.

The prospect of seeing a breath-taking talent like Cambage missing from the world stage for four years is a big blow for women's basketball and, in the short term, for this competition. While Australia beat France without her as Marianna Tolo stepped up in the paint, this vital absence (along with Lauren Jackson) arguably gives more hope to Belarus and Cuba.

Australia should still bowl over a youthful Korea, although their main match-up against primary danger Ji-Su Park maybe means Tolo having to contain the teenager.

Australia's loss is to the advantage of Belarus who are without a host of centers, including the experienced Marina Kress and the terrific talent of Anastasiya Verameyenka. With Yelena Leuchanka still around, Belarus would certainly not wish injury on anybody, but without having to contend with Cambage, their limited resources at the five spot may be less exposed.

Belarus actually beat Turkey in Minsk last week and much is dependent on Aliaksandra Tarasava recovering from injury, because more problems in the backcourt as well as the frontcourt would make life very difficult. The consensus seems to be that replicating their Semi-Final finish four years ago is wholly unrealistic without their second twin tower, Vermeyenka around.

Cuba remain dark horses and, after beating Canada last weekend as part of their preparations - in a repeat of the 2013 FIBA America Championship for Women Final - they re-confirmed in my mind that topping Group C is a distinct possibility if Australia are not fully focused - regardless of losing heavily to Spain during preparation.

Their match-up with Belarus is likely to be the key game in the group and all eyes will be on Yamara Amargo - a player who I feel could cut it at an elite level league. She is class and it isn't surprising that she was MVP in Mexico or at the CentroBasket for Women most recently.

What is important is that Cuba are not a one-player team. They actually have a very, very strong and stable core rotation so I can't wait to check out Oynaisy Gelis, Leidys Oquendo, Clenia Noblet and Marlen Cepeda too.

As for Group D - what about the USA losing to France and blowing an 18-point lead in the process last weekend? This possibly adds further interest to the first phase in Istanbul.

I actually agree with Sue Bird who noted she remembers every loss in a USA vest during her career. To be fair, that is like most parents remembering the names of their own kids - there really aren't that many to think of. Her point was that it was a wake-up call and essentially better happening heading into the tournament, rather when they are there and it should focus the minds of the champions.

The comments of head coach Geno Auriemma intrigued me afterwards. I may have read them wrong, but it seemed to be that he was a little irked by the decisions of the Selection Committee. I noted he expressed some sympathy with them having a difficult job. No they don't, they have the easiest job in women's basketball and any other national federation or nation would swap places in a heartbeat for that talent pool.

I am just hoping Breanna Stewart isn't the final cut and we also get to see Brittney Griner debut - something which would help out the highlights reel in Istanbul after the withdrawl of Cambage.

China shot the lights out in Paris against the Opals and as they are very young, this win will have given them huge confidence. They are really only hampered by the fact they don’t have one class player as they have in the past like Lijie Miao.

Angola look like being a team which will struggle, but their unpredictability is always a danger and that only leaves Serbia. Marina Maljkovic and her team have firepower. They can get not just red-hot, but white-hot in games. With plenty of scorers in the Dabovic sisters, Ana and Milica, Jelena Milovanovic, Jovana Rad, Nevena Jovanovic and so on, they will put points on the board.

So, it will be their defensive intensity and application which will define their prospects. It looks like Serbia playing China is on paper at least, the pivotal game in Group D.

With a handful of days to go and my suitcase waiting to be packed, I already have butterflies in my stomach. What a tournament this could be and I hope to meet some of you!

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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Paul Nilsen

Paul Nilsen

As a women's basketball specialist for FIBA and FIBA Europe, Paul Nilsen eats, sleeps and breathes women’s hoops and is incredibly passionate about promoting the women’s game - especially at youth level. In Women’s Basketball Worldwide, Paul scours the globe for the very latest from his beloved women’s basketball family.