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June 2016
9 Laia PALAU (Spain)
10/05/2016
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Mondelo hails evergreen Palau in build-up to Nantes WOQT

MADRID (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments) - Spain will be among the favorites to clinch a spot at the Rio de Janeiro Games when they compete at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT) in just over a month. They are a popular pick to claim one of the five spots on offer for Brazil.

The No. 3 side in the FIBA World Ranking Women is likely to reach Brazil for a variety of reasons. One is the presence of experienced players like Laia Palau.

Palau played at her fourth FIBA Women's World Championship in 2014

Spain coach Lucas Mondelo marvels at the 36-year-old point guard's ability to continue playing at a high level. In addition to helping Spain win the EuroBasket Women 2013, finishing second at the 2014 FIBA Women's World Championship and coming in third at last year's EuroBasket, Palau has shone for Prague.

She was a EuroLeague Women champion in 2015 and a Final Four participant in 2016. Mondelo doesn't see her slowing down.

She (Palau) will retire when she wants. The great captain. What she transmits both on and off the court is essential. - Mondelo

"She is the best passer in Europe," Mondelo said. "The number and quality of her assists are proof. She could score more than she does but she enjoys creating more than finishing."

Another reason why Spain are a popular pick to qualify for Rio is their approach to the sport. The Spaniards like to gamble on defense and to run. Usually, the opponents have a hard time keeping up.

"Almost all of the players involved have the same basketball aggressiveness on defense, creativity, reading of the game," Mondelo said. "They make good passes, tiki-taka... It is our identity: attack the attack, taking risks to cause (opponents to make) errors. And from there, run and play with space."

Tiki-taka is more commonly associated with football, a style of play characterised by short passing and movement, working the ball through various channels, and maintaining possession. The big difference is that there is a 24-second shot-clock in basketball, which means teams cannot hold on to the ball for too long.

Looking back at 2015, Spain might have done better at the EuroBasket had Sancho Lyttle been involved. The EuroBasket 2013 MVP and All-Star Five member at the 2014 FIBA Women's World Championship did not play, though.

Lyttle led Spain to the EuroBasket Women 2013 title

She will, however, be with Spain when they compete at the WOQT in Nantes, France. Lyttle has already spoken of the hope that she can play at an Olympics for the first time.

Sancho is a different factor that gives you a huge leap in quality. - Mondelo

FIBA