PRAGUE (FIBA World Championship for Women) - The 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women is just around the corner. In the lead-up to the biggest international basketball event, we take an individual look at all 16 teams.

Country: Czech Republic
FIBA bwin Ranking Women: No.5
Last participation in the FIBA World Championship for Women: 2010 (6 wins, 3 defeats; 2nd place)
Best result in the history of the FIBA World Championship for Women: 2nd place (2010)
Result in qualifying tournament for 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women: 6th place at EuroBasket Women 2013 (4 wins, 5 defeats)

Four years ago, the run to the Final by the host nation was a joy not only for the locals in Karlovy Vary, but also for many neutrals who were delighted in seeing the Czech Republic excel and add a real spark to the event.

While overcoming the mighty USA to claim the world title never looked much of a possibility, merely getting a chance to do so represented a great boost for women's basketball in the Czech Republic.

Legendary Hana Horakova again brought her renowned 'A-game' to the big stage during what was very much the twilight of a glittering career and it was unsurprising personal accolades followed.

Horakova then enjoyed creating one last hurrah in a Czech Republic vest when she helped the team to cement a place at London 2012 by safely negotiating the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women (OQTW) in Ankara Arena, where her nation is now preparing to play once again.

This time, the now retired Horakova won't be available, but head coach Lubor Blazek will have a different veteran ace in his pack in the shape of Eva Viteckova - another genuine legend.

She decided on a rare sabbatical last year and missed EuroBasket Women 2013 and with everyone sweating on whether she would actually retire, she has returned to the roster. That is an immeasurable bonus due to her experience, leadership and scoring ability.

Her inclusion is complimented by forward Jana Vesela recovering from an ACL injury which enhances the team's prospects even further.

Against expectations and without both Viteckova and Vesela, who went down in the opener at EuroBasket Women 2013, Blazek still managed to guide his team to the World Championship party with a sixth-place finish.

Crucially, the dynamic Michaela Stejskalova continued where she left off from her impressive displays at the London Olympics by leading the team in scoring in France last summer. While she was the only player to average double digits in scoring, the remainder of the team were solid enough to help scrape through.

Players like Ilona Burgrova, Tereza Peckova, Katerina Elhotova and center Petra Kulichova, who played brilliantly in Ankara Arena two years ago, will all be vital. They will be complimented by a couple of real rising stars in Tereza Vyoralova and Alena Hanusova, who look to have big futures ahead of them.

Much will depend once more on Stejskalova, who seems to reserve her best play for the international stage and is a real 'X-factor' player on the wing.

However, it isn't all good news.

The team largely achieved their World Championship berth because Veronika Bortelova delayed her retirement to play almost 27 minutes per game in France.

Now gone, this is a seriously big void to fill and the question remains whether the lack of a top-class and experienced playmaker could prove to be an Achilles heel when the action begins next week.

FIBA