MADRID (EuroBasket Women 2015) – Spain national team captain Laia Palau is ready to defend her country’s coveted EuroBasket Women title after the playmaker was revealed as one of the centrepieces of her nation’s initial candidate list for the 2015 edition of the tournament taking place from 11-28 June.
The recently crowned EuroLeague Women champion will continue her glittering career for club and country by once again pulling the strings from the backcourt in Hungary and Romania, and has warned her team-mates to focus from the outset.
“The only way is to respect every opponent that we will meet on the way – from the first day,” declared Palau.
“The key is not to take anything for granted and fight every second.
“We must live each moment as if there were no tomorrow.”
Palau is one of 17 names who will fight it out for a place on the final list, with head coach Lucas Mondelo inviting back every member of his team that made it to the Final of the FIBA Women’s World Championship last year.
Once again turning down the lure of the WNBA to represent her nation, all eyes will also be back on Alba Torrens this summer and she was keen to emphasise the importance of the team bond which exists and not being distracted by playing overseas.
“What I want, is to lead the team of my country as high as possible,” confirmed the UMMC Ekaterinburg star.
“I should be focused 100 percent from the very first session.
“The challenge is very difficult and we know it, but this team has the fight in its DNA and we will go all out from the first day.”
Players who didn’t step out in Turkey include recent TKBL Championship winner Queralt Casas who will be particularly eager to fight to regain her spot. She lost out in something of a surprise last year after winning EuroBasket Women two years ago in France.
Also trying to squeeze onto the final roster are Astou Ndour who is seen as the long-term replacement for Sancho Lyttle in the naturalised spot, while Mann Filter duo Laura Herrera and Maria Arrojo, along with Miriame Foraste of IDK Gipuzkoa are all rewarded with an opportunity having posted impressive seasons in Liga Femenina.
Spain will play in Group D in Sopron against Lithuania, Slovak Republic, Sweden and co-hosts Hungary.
Spain preliminary squad for EuroBasket Women 2015: Maria Arrojo, Queralt Casas, Anna Cruz, Silvia Dominguez, Miriam Foraste, Laura Gil, Laura Herrera, Sancho Lyttle, Nuria Martinez, Astou Ndour, Laura Nicholls, Laia Palau, Lucila Pascua, Leonor Rodriguez, Leticia Romero, Alba Torrens, Marta Xargay.
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