Quevedo ready for mental challenge in Semi-Finals

CHEKHOV/VIDNOE (2015 FIBA U19 Women's World Championship) - Laura Quevedo believes Spain have to rely on their newly-found momentum when they face favourites and reigning champions USA in the 2015 FIBA U19 Women's World Championship Semi-Finals.

Spain endured a decidedly inauspicious start to the competition and suffered two losses in their first three games - including a defeat to their Last Four opponents on the very first day.

However, according to Quevedo, there was a fundamental change of thinking inside the Spanish locker room and that has proven fruitful as they seek to now make a podium return in the competition.

Maybe we played too much as individuals in the first games, but now there is no doubt how much of a team we now are. - Quevedo

"Something probably changed when we switched our mentality and realised that we had to play together even more as a team," she explained.

"We all know that this is the best way for us."

Not that this means a lack of standout displays by leaders, with Quevedo herself posting a sensational display against Belgium in the Quarter-Finals – racking up a superb 23 points and 13 boards.

"I felt really good after the game because we wanted so much to be able to stay in the tournament and make the Semi Finals," smiled the Madrid native.

"I think it was a very hard game for us.

“We have played against each other a lot of times and there is never much of a difference against Belgium.

"It is a dream for us to still be looking for a medal because we had such a difficult start," added Quevedo.

Next up on the agenda is the prospect of trying to deny the USA a sixth successive title by eliminating them in Saturday's Semi-Final clash - something which will require another injection of positive thinking and teamwork.

"[The] USA is a very big challenge," accepted Quevedo.

"Especially because they are such a physically strong team.

"But we have to believe in ourselves and we know it is a difficult thing to achieve.

"We have to believe we can win this game and I know that we can," she concluded.

FIBA