Palau and Spain chasing game-changer moment

RIO DE JANEIRO (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - Spain's Laia Palau knows better than most the feeling of losing at the Olympics. 

It's no wonder the three-time Olympian is often seen screaming at her teammates to get things done rightly.

"If we make it to the Semis, it will be a game-changer for us." - Palau

In her two Olympics appearances, at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, Spain have never gone beyond the Quarter-Finals. 

On Tuesday, Palau, who is leading Spain by example in Rio, hopes to see her team overcome what she calls "an unfortunate situation" when they go up against Turkey in the Quarter-Finals. 

"If we make it to the Semis, it will be a game-changer for us," she told FIBA.com. "This team deserves to be in the position it is now. We did really well at the [2014 FIBA Women's] World Championship [they finished second], we also had a good European championship [third place at EuroBasket Women 2015]. So it's big for us if we are able to compete for a medal here in Rio."

The 36-year-old forward was then asked to share her thoughts on what teams had realistic chances of succeeding in the Quarter-Finals. 

Without hesitating, Palau said: "From what I have seen so far, the USA, Australia, France, Spain, Serbia, and Turkey, we are all in the same position."

FIBA