Russia wants gold at last

Russia's women are desperate to win an Olympic gold medal for the first time. With the likely addition of high-scoring, American guard Becky Hammon of CSKA Moscow, the European champions believe they will be serious contenders for the title.

Since 1990, after the break-up of the Soviet Union, Russia's women have failed to win gold medals at FIBA World Championships and Olympics. The USSR National Team had won gold at the first-ever women's Olympic tournament in 1976 with a 112-77 victory over the United States in the final. Four years later, the USA boycotted the event held in Moscow and the Soviets defeated Bulgaria to clinch their second gold. The USSR were then led by the Hall of Famer Iuliana Semenova, a dominating 2.13m center from Latvia. Semenova travelled to Madrid in June for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women to cheer on the Latvians. The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), made up of former USSR countries like Russia, won gold once again at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.

After upsetting the United States en route to a silver medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Brazil and then clinching gold at last year's EuroBasket in Italy, Russia stand among the favorites to capture the crown. Coach Igor Grudin can still count on one of the best players in the game in center Maria Stepanova. The Russian center will be eager to take her revenge against Australian star Lauren Jackson, the Opal who helped Australia defeat Russia in the world title game two years ago. Small forward Ilona Korstin remains the lieutenant of the Russian National Team and the perfect complement to Stepanova. Tatiana Shchegoleva and Irina Osipova are also very good low post players who have a lot of experience. They both won the EuroLeague Women for the second consecutive season with Spartak Moscow Region this year - with Jackson a teammate.

The point guard position has always been a concern for Russia, even if Oxana Rakhmatulina - the playmaker the past two summers - has done a credible job. But at the Olympic Games, Russia believe they need more firepower and that's why three USA-born players - WNBA players Becky Hammon, Kelly Miller and Deanna Nolan - who received Russian citizenship recently, were named in the preliminary squad. Only one will have the opportunity to go to Beijing, according to FIBA rules on naturalized players.

Hammon's decision to try out for the Russia team raised a lot of eyebrows in America, including those of USA coach Anne Donovan who when asked about the decision questioned Hammon's patriotism. Donovan later softened  her remarks and made it clear that Hammon had done a lot for women's basketball. Hammon, though, was never chosen to represent the Americans in international competition and was eager to play at Olympics. She was the immediate favorite to make the team after a terrific season with CSKA Moscow. Playing at the Olympic Games is a dream for her and Russia must believe they have a better chance of capturing gold if she's in the line-up. In fact, she could be as decisive for the Russia women as J.R. Holden was for the Russia men at EuroBasket 2007. Holden, an American who took Russian citizenship after playing with the CSKA Moscocw mens' team, made the game-winning shot against hosts Spain to clinch the gold medal. Miller was a reserve point guard this season for Spartak Moscow Region while Nolan shone for UMMC Ekaterinburg.

The Russians will play against Australia in the first round in a rematch of the world title game two years ago only this time, they're almost certain to have some American flavor in the line-up.

How did they qualify?
EuroBasket 2007
Gold Medal (8 W - 1 L)

Preliminary Round
Sept-24th 2007    Russia b. Italia    60-55
Sept-25th 2007    Russia b. France    63-59
Sept-26th 2007    Russia b. Greece    86-47

Qualifying Round
Sept-29th 2007    Serbia b. Russia    67-65
Oct-1st 2007    Russia b. Belarus    97-73
Oct-3rd 2007    Russia b. Spain    64-49

Quarter-finals
Oct-5th 2007    France b. Lithuania    75-58

Semi-finals
Oct-6th 2007    Russia b. Latvia    67-36

Final
Oct-7th 2007    Russia b. Spain    74-68