HAVANA (FIBA World Championship for Women) - Cuba head coach Alberto Zabala is to put out a largely unchanged roster when his team touch down in Turkey later this year for the FIBA World Championship for Women.

The play-caller has decided to retain his faith in the players who performed so brilliantly at the FIBA Americas Championship for Women in Xalapa, Mexico last year after outlining his future plans.

Whilst the dust has long settled on their glorious gold medal triumph in Mexico, there is still a buzz around the Cuban camp and not least, because they will finally return to the global stage for the first time in eight long years.

They last competed at the FIBA World Championship for Women in 2006 in Brazil, but buoyed by their unexpected triumph on their own continent, they are set to arrive in Europe boasting the essential ingredients of confidence, proven chemistry and continuity.

Zabala has announced the draft list of 18 players who he believes can compete for a place on the roster for Turkey, with all the big hitters back on board.

FIBA Americas Championship for Women MVP Yamara Amargo will be the centrepiece of the team having averaged a stellar 18.4 points per game for the triumphant underdogs and having also showcased her terrific inside-outside game.

Meanwhile, Oyanaisis Gelis, Leidis Oquendo, Marlene Cepeda and Clenia Noblet are also back on board, having been the main contributors alongside Amargo last year, with Noblet recently nominated for a sporting award in her homeland.

But before Zabala can focus on his Turkish mission, he must firstly try to land yet more success on Mexican soil and continue the incredible record of his nation at CentroBasket Women, where Cuba are looking to extend their eye-popping winning streak of over 40 games.

The 2014 edition of the event is scheduled to take place in Chiapas from 13 to 17 August.

FIBA