5 Olympic spots up for grabs in Women's event

Some of the best women's teams in the world will fight for the remaining five Olympic spots in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women in Madrid, Spain.

National basketball heroes like Erika de Souza from Brazil and Amaya Valdemoro from Spain will do everything to make their Olympic dream become true.

"We have been drawn in the most difficult group", said the Spanish team captain Amaya Valdemoro. "While I don't think Fiji will pose any problems for us, we will face a tough test against Brazil. But the real danger will be in the quarter-finals where we will face either Cuba or Belarus. For sure, to have our fans' support will be crucial and I'm sure we will have plenty of fans cheering us on in Madrid."

The tournament will be extremely competitive as one game can decide about success or failure.

"This is Latvia's dream and a chance", said Latvia's star player Anete Jekabsone-Zogota. "Words can't describe this, I probably would cry. The entire country would love us!"
 
The draw was held on 14th January in Madrid and brought the following results:

Group A: Japan, Latvia, Senegal
Group B: Angola, Argentina, Czech Republic
Group c: Brazil, Fiji, Spain
Group D: Belarus, Chinese Taipei, Cuba

Re-watch the draw

Other reactions from the draw:

Mike Whippy - Coach Fiji: "We have never been here before. If there is an underdog team in this tournament, then we are the biggest underdogs of them all. Brazil and Spain outclass us in every measurable way, but we expect nothing less than their 'A' game and we will be trying our best to compete on the floor, five on five."

Ruperto Herrera - President Cuba: "The fact that the tournament will be played in Madrid is an advantage for us not only in terms of the language, but the links between both countries. There is a very good relationship between both countries because of our history and our roots. I believe it's going to be a very competitive tournament considering what is at stake and the quality of the teams but we believe we have a chance of making it."

Erika De Souza - Player Brazil women's team: "We know that if we progress to the quarter-final round, there is a good chance we could meet Cuba, a team we know very well having played against them at the FIBA Americas Tournament."

The teams placed 1st and 2nd in each group will advance to the Quarter-Finals and will play elimination games (A1-B2, B1-A2, C1-D2, D1-C2). The four Semi-Finalists will qualify for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The four losers of the Semi-Finals will play elimination games to determine the remaining Olympic spot.

The following seven teams have already booked their tickets for the Olympic Basketball Tournament for Women that will take place in Beijing, China, from 9th to 23rd August 2008: Australia, China, Korea, Mali, New Zealand, Russia and USA.