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.
They did it. Congratulations to history makers @TheBelgianCats .....first ever medal. It is bronze at #EuroBasketWomen2017 #scenes pic.twitter.com/ddgIMBEDfb
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) June 25, 2017
Respect to head coach Philip Mestdagh who finally unlocked the obvious potential there's been for many years.
"This is the best team in the history of the @baloncestofeb" says @Lmondelo as the fiesta gets started #SelFem #EuroBasketWomen2017 pic.twitter.com/Z8Dbhl1U26
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) June 25, 2017
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?
! EXCLUSIVE @BlueStarMedia1 ! Are we seeing the death of the @fiba naturalized players? #EuroBasketWomen2017 https://t.co/gdncnwkruf pic.twitter.com/IPGQ0gkZ6S
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) June 22, 2017
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.
AMAZING... Watch veteran legend Evanthia Maltsi fly off the court as well.... #EuroBasketWomen2017 @FIBA @HellenicBF #FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/VKmIrKO3xd
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) June 22, 2017
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.
History. One of best team displays ever seen at EBW. Olympic team picked apart brutally.Amazing.I was WRONG @HellenicBF #EurobasketWomen2017 pic.twitter.com/Wnxo7AcNyR
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) June 22, 2017
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.
NOT in @DiandraTchatch's 🏠 🚫. #EuroBasketWomen2017 pic.twitter.com/g6Ynw3BGtn
— FIBA (@FIBA) June 24, 2017
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.
The All Star 5 presented by Tissot is: Maltsi 🇬🇷, Torrens 🇪🇸, @Ceci_Zanda 🇮🇹, @EmmaMeesseman 🇧🇪 and @Endidi711 🇫🇷. #EuroBasketWomen2017 pic.twitter.com/KTtnpBnyWQ
— FIBA (@FIBA) June 25, 2017
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.
Going to be honored to witness the end of an era and the Final Round careers of two world class point guards tonight. #EuroBasketWomen2017 pic.twitter.com/G1Aq2wThvc
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) June 25, 2017
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
FIBA's columnists write on a wide range of topics relating to basketball that are of interest to them. The opinions they express are their own and in no way reflect those of FIBA.
FIBA takes no responsibility and gives no guarantees, warranties or representations, implied or otherwise, for the content or accuracy of the content and opinion expressed in the above article.