PILSEN (FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) – Beneath the headline contributions of Czech Republic duo Julia Reisingerova and Tereza Sipova, the supporting cast of the at the FIBA U17 World Championship for Women semi-finalists have done a terrific job, led by Lenka Soukalova.

While the likes of Reisingerova and Sipova ooze finesse and always look like producing big numbers, Soukalova has shown to be a true 'princess of the intangibles'.

She is always guaranteed to be hunting down rebounds, grabbing a steal, drawing a foul, playing hard-nosed defence and without fail - injecting tempo, aggression and passion into any situation on the floor.

"My main goal is always to defend well and to get some steals, while rebounding is just what I know and what I love to do," smiled Soukalova on the eve of a last four showdown with Spain.

"I am really happy and i'’s amazing to be in the semi-finals - it's a dream for me.

"I also think that the word I would use to describe my team is probably 'fighters', because we just never give up."

It's impossible to argue with such a moniker, since Soukalova perfectly encapsulates that characteristic.

And, i'’s a priceless asset since the Czech team have regularly had to show a strong resolve to come back from behind in key games.

Four years ago, the Czech Republic senior team reached the final of the FIBA World Championship for Women playing on home soil.

It's something that Soukalova remembers vividly and is keen to now replicate.

"I was in Brno and saw some games of the national team there," she recalled.

"I got to see what kind of super player Hana Horakova was and also watched Eva Viteckova, who I also like a lot.

"I agree it's a big motivation for us that we could also get another Czech women's team to a FIBA World Championship final playing in front of our own fans."

Soukalova had nine points and seven rebounds in the quarter-final against Australia.

Perhaps most critically of all, she was handed 27 minutes of playing time by head-coach Richard Fousek to further emphasise her value to the medal-chasing host nation.

FIBA