Hernandez hoping for more gold in Matosinhos
MADRID (FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship 2017) – Spain will be favorites to retain their silverware when they hit the floor for this year’s edition of the FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship 2017.
MADRID (FIBA U20 Women's European Championship 2017) – Spain will be favorites to retain their silverware when they take to the floor for this year's edition of the FIBA U20 Women's European Championship 2017.
The defending champions will return to the scene of their dramatic success last summer in Matosinhos, when they held on to the title they won in 2015.
| Spain 15-player squad for FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship 2017 | |||
| Maria Araujo | Maite Cazorla | Maria Conde | Clara Che |
| Umi Diallo | Irati Extari | Paula Ginzo | Marta Hermida |
| Ainhoa Lopez | Iho Lopez | Maria Martianez | Cecilia Muhate |
| Laia Raventos | Angela Salvadores | Anne Senosiain | |
Gunning for a staggering ninth consecutive Final appearance and also a third gold medal in succession under head coach Jose Hernandez, the popular play-caller has confirmed the team's ambitions.
He said: "I hope to repeat the result of last year and we face this tournament with the same enthusiasm, ambition and motivation.
"We have had great generations in training categories for many years and Spain is still counting on great generations who, when they reach the U20 category, have an extraordinary degree of maturity.
"If preparation last year was a bit short, this year's has been fantastic and we have a test of real fire with some of the best teams of Europe."
Hernandez knows what it feels like to win gold on Portuguese soil
That involves more warm-up games in Valladolid against Belgium, Russia and also France, who they have already beaten 74-49 during preparation.
Hernandez, who recently left EuroLeague Women side Wisla Can-Pack to pick up the reins at CD Promete in his homeland, is also thrilled with the talent he is going to have at his disposal.
He confirmed: "In the squad we have players with experience in Liga Femenina such as Angela Salvadores, Maria Araujo, Irati Etxarri or Ainhoa Lopez.
"With some who have completed the season in LF2, like Paula Ginzo, Umo Diallo or Anne Senosiain.
"There are also up to eight players who are in the middle of an NCAA 'American Adventure', including Maria Conde, Maite Cazorla and Laia Raventos.
"They are all playing different types of basketball, but in the end, they always arrive with the national team and demonstrate they are able to adapt well," concluded Hernandez.
Spain will play in Group A against Belgium, Poland and Sweden.
FIBA