Torrens returns for Olympic hopefuls Spain
MADRID (Spain) - Spain will travel to China next month with a strong squad as it attempts to qualify for the Tokyo Games. Back in the team is Alba Torrens, who missed last year's FIBA Women's EuroBasket.
MADRID (Spain) - Powerhouse Spain will travel to the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, Serbia next month with a star-studded squad as they attempt to clinch a spot in the Tokyo Games.
Alba Torrens, who did not play on the title-winning team at last year's FIBA Women's EuroBasket in the Serbian capital, is back in the side. The 30-year-old only recently returned to the court with UMMC Ekaterinburg and played in her first EuroLeague Women game after recuperating from a knee injury.
However, the MVP of last year's EuroBasket in Belgrade, Astou Ndour, has been left out while she recovers from a meniscus injury. Also missing for Spain after having a knee operation at the start of the year will be Anna Cruz.
| Spain 12-player roster for FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2020 | |||
| Tamara Abalde | Queralt Casas | Maria Conde | Silvia Dominguez |
| Laura Gil | Nogaye Lo | Laura Nicholls | Cris Ouviña |
| Laia Palau | Leo Rodríguez | Alba Torrens | Marta Xargay |
Spain, the No. 3 side in the FIBA World Ranking Presented by Nike, will have plenty of firepower with veterans Marta Xargay, Silvia Dominguez, Laia Palau, Cristina Ouvina and Laura Nicholls all headed to Serbia for the qualifying tournament which will also feature Great Britain, Korea and China. The event tips off on February 6, with Spain facing Korea.
Palau, 40, will be looking appear at the Olympics for the fourth time in her career. Spain, whose coach remains Lucas Mondelo, has had one of the top teams in European basketball for nearly two decades yet it had not reached the podium at a Summer Games until 2016, claiming silver in Rio de Janeiro.
Three of the four teams taking part in next month's event, which runs until February 9, will clinch Olympic spots.
FIBA