EKATERINBURG (2010 FIBA World Championship for Women) - New Team USA boss Geno Auriemma won’t have any problems knowing what buttons to push for many of his players when he coaches in a four-team tournament in Ekaterinburg, Russia, this week.

That's because United States internationals Sue Bird, Asjha Jones, Swin Cash, Renee Montgomery and Tina Charles have played for Auriemma in the past at the University of Connecticut or, in the case of Charles, still play for him at UConn.

The number of Lady Huskies would be even greater if Diana Taurasi were able to take part, but the American superstar is currently in the WNBA Finals with the Phoenix Mercury. Maya Moore, another current UConn player, had expected to travel to Russia but decided instead to skip this trip.

She helped her team force a Game Five on Wednesday night with a 90-77 victory over the Indiana Fever.

Those with UConn connections will be looking to impress Auriemma in Russia to boost their chances of playing for the American side next year at the FIBA World Championship for Women

One certainty for the 2010 squad is Bird, who spoke about the team’s training camp and the trip to Russia.

"I think it (training camp) prepared us for what we’re going to see, which is European teams,” Bird said. “It’s a different style. So for some of the younger kids who haven’t been overseas, it’ll be a good way for them to get their feet wet."

USA practices can also be quite physical.

Charles made that clear when she was asked about taking the training camp.

"It’s been great,” she said, “besides my busted lip."

Other than UMMC Ekaterinburg will be MKB Euroleasing Sopron and USK Prague.

Sopron have a young team that made it to the EuroLeague Women Final Four.

Norbert Székely, the Hungarian team's coach, looked ahead to Ekaterinburg.

"This tournament will be a big challenge for us," he said.

"We are happy that Ekaterinburg invited us and we hope these strong games will help us to step up before the start of the EuroLeague.

"I am not looking for my team a certain result in terms of numbers, but I want to see that we use all the things on the court that we have practiced the last few weeks. We are a young but solid, massive team, and I hope we can show it against these very strong teams."

As for some of his team news, Székely said: "Amber Holt is sick, but she will play. Maja Miljkovic (muscular injury) is better, but we don't want to risk her so she will not play in Ekaterinburg.

"For us, it's more important that she is ready for the EuroLeague."

Prague have the exquisitely talented Evina Maltsi in their ranks and she is thrilled to be headed to Ekaterinburg.

Maltsi, the EuroBasket Women 2009 MVP after leading Greece into the FIBA World Championship for Women in the Czech Republic, said the tournament is important for her team as they try to get into a good rhythm at the start of their Czech title defense.

"The new season starts and nothing is won yet," she said. "I'm going to keep working hard and enjoying the game."

Another player who will be at the FIBA World Championship for Women is UMMC Ekaterinburg's Russia international center Maria Stepanova.

She believes hard games now will help the team in their quest to win titles on all fronts.

"We are very ambitious girls and will strive to win everything," Stepanova said. 
 
FIBA