27/06/2017
Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide
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The A to Z of FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017


NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen’s Women’s Basketball Worldwide) – The curtain has fallen on FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 and here is an A to Z guide of what went down in Hradec Kralove and Prague.

A is for age which is only a number as veterans like Evanthia Maltsi and teenage stars like Maria Vadeeva showed.

B is for Belgium and bronze. It’s been a long-time in the making, but they were a breath of fresh air.

Respect to head coach Philip Mestdagh who finally unlocked the obvious potential there's been for many years.

C is for champions Spain. Head and shoulders above anyone else and described by play-caller Lucas Mondelo as the best in Spanish women’s basketball history.

D is for death of the naturalized player?

Six of the teams who reached the Quarter-Finals didn’t have one, while seven of the eight who crashed out early did have one. It's re-opened a debate about how they are utilized – not necessarily whether they should be.

E is for Evanthia Maltsi who deserves special praise. Turning 40 next year, she recaptured the glory days of when she was MVP in 2009.

She led Greece to an even higher finish this time and got back in the All-Star Five. She also spoke brilliantly after her team's last game.

F is for first phase in Prague which is where the drama and surprises were mainly condensed.

G is for Greece who proved me about as wrong as I have ever been about a team.

The ultimate underdog and they were sensational, with the win against Turkey the most impressive display of the tournament - aside from Spain in the Final.

H is for history, including Slovenia getting their first-ever win at the event, Belgium's bronze and a first-time passage to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup for Latvia – among others.

I is for individual play of the tournament and I can’t look past Diandra Tchatchouang. Her spectacular rejection against Greece was awesome.

J is for just over 24 hours and host nation Czech Republic were dumped out. A real downer and setback for the tournament.

K is for Kaltsidou - Styliani Kaltsidou to be precise. She must get the attention she deserves for her role in the gutsy and historic run of Greece. She was not far behind Maltsi in her contributions.

L is for Latvia who reached the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup for the first time. It was arguably overshadowed by the controversy around their win against Italy. They did a great job as there were lots of injuries, with special praise for Anete Steinberga who was terrific.

M is for MVP, Alba Torrens who has not played enough at UMMC in the past year and it showed as she was full of energy, looked so happy to be back with her compatriots and fulfilled the role that many of us hoped she would. A world-class player [and person] in every way.

N is for no luck at all for Italy, who will feel very unfortunate in just missing out on the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018. They had injuries and got the thin end of the wedge on decisions.

O is for organization which was breathtaking from the Czech Republic Federation and the Local Organizing Committee. I have never been at an event which ran as smoothly. Logistically, it was the best I have ever been to. Congratulations for this.

P is for passing and some of the best moments of the tournament came when the women's game showed one of its main strengths with super ball movement.

R is for Russia who I had tipped after Spain to possibly win the title. They failed and not even reaching the Quarter-Finals was embarrassing considering their talent and good preparation. It was clear that Epiphanny Prince was obligated to be there, but where were the other leaders?

S is for Serbia, whose wonderful four-year run since they made the Semi-Finals in 2013 is over. Not even making the Quarter-Finals was poor. They'll be missed in Spain next year as they have so much talent.

T is for the tournament’s best players in the shape of the All-Star Five offered by Tissot. Four players were a lock and Endene Miyem got the nod over Sancho Lyttle – although Lucas Mondelo was not impressed his naturalized player did not get a spot.

U is for unpredictable which was one of the main 17 reasons to watch FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 and as usual, the women's game delivered in this category with some huge shocks.

V is for veteran players who waved goodbye.

Including the likes of Zuzana Zirkova, Gaelle Skrela, Celine Dumerc, Ilona Burgrova and Laia Palau although don’t be surprised if the latter makes an emotional return on home soil next year.

W is for Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018 and the six nations who are looking forward to lining up at this flagship event next year.

X is for 'X-Factor' and it is Spain having a world class coach in Lucas Mondelo. He finds a way to let huge stars shine, but within the context of the team approach. His resume and ongoing accomplishments continue to blow the mind and his personality is a difference-maker in the locker room and beyond too.

Y is for yes, we’re counting down the days until the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 when we do it all again in Latvia and Serbia. Can't wait.

Z is for Zandalasini, a name on everybody's lips now.

One of the best debuts in the history of the Final Round, she posted an astonishing 51 percent shooting, was the most efficient player in the competition and deserved All-Star Five recognition.

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.