ZAGREB (EuroBasket Women 2015) - Croatia national team head coach Braslav Turic is moving closer to his final roster for EuroBasket Women 2015 after cutting seven players from his initial 25-strong list of candidates.

The highest profile departures come in the shape of Matea Vrdoljak and Emanuela Salopek who both played at the last edition of the tournament.

There is also no spot for Ivana Seric who played last summer during qualification, while Josipa Zovko, Monika Tomljenovic, Tea Buzov and Inja Butina have also been released.

It means a third of the remaining players are made up from Turic's club side Medvescak who are seeking to wrap up a successful defence of their Croatian title this weekend.

The frontcourt of the remaining list certainly looks strong, with the likes of Luca Ivankovic and EuroLeague Women trio Iva Sliskovic, Mirna Mazic and Marija Rezan.

This is supplemented by rising stars Ivana Tikvic and Ana-Marija Begic who have both had outstanding domestic seasons under the guidance of Turic.

The wings are also looking highly competitive with the vast experience of Ana Lelas and Jelena Ivezic, while the backcourt is bolstered by the addition of naturalised star Shavonte Zellous of Fenerbahce.

Croatia preliminary squad for EuroBasket Women 2015: Ana-Marija Begic, Kristina Benic, Iva Borovic, Iva Ciglar, Ruzica Dzankic, Luca Ivankovic, Jelena Ivezic, Ana Lelas, Mirna Mazic, Carmen Miloglav, Antonija Misura, Lana Packovski, Nina Premasunac, Marija Rezan, Iva Sliskovic, Ivana Tikvic, Iva Todoric, Shavonte Zellous.

Go to eurobasketwomen2015.com for full coverage of EuroBasket Women 2015.

FIBA