Expert Panel: Who will land on the podium at Final Round?

MUNICH (Germany) - It's time for our trio of women's basketball experts to give us their insight into how they think things are about to unfold at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019.

- Shona Thorburn is a multi-Olympian with Canada; the veteran guard played for USO Mondeville last season, as well as commentating for livebasketball.tv. @ShonaThorburn

- Pierre Ploszajski is a EuroLeague Women addict and a co-author of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2017 and 2019 Media Guides. @Pierrepiotr_

- Paul Nilsen is the FIBA women's basketball specialist. @Basketmedia365

Pick Your Podium

Shona: Spain (1), France (2), Serbia (3). I think with the return of Coach Marina Maljkovic for Serbia and the fact they will be playing on home soil, they will be a scary team to play against. France has been hit with the injury bug before the tournament even starts and I think the loss of Helena Ciak will be too difficult for them to overcome. Coach Lucas Mondelo knows how to win and how to get the best out of his players and so there's no reason why they should be dethroned this summer.

Pierre: Belgium (1), Spain (2), France (3). I think Belgium has the best team in Europe right now and unlike Spain or France , they will arrive with a full roster. They know each other very well, they visibly enjoy playing together and have a superb momentum going on. Spain has enough depth and talent to fight for the title again, with Marta Xargay ready to take a leadership role alongside Astou Ndour or Anna Cruz. France will be hard to beat as always, but has everything to prove with a new generation coming in.

Paul: Spain (1), Belgium (2), Serbia (3). I wrote a column several weeks ago about why France must win the title for the first time in a decade. However, three key players being ruled out in Diandra Tchatchoung, Sarah Michel and Helena Ciak could prove too much to even get onto the podium. Serbia could be absolutely anything of course, but have the firepower and craziness with the return of Coach Maljkovic to get back among the medals. Belgium delight me in every way and the momentum they have could deliver a first Final appearance. Spain have an incredible guard rotation, great coach and even if it means becoming the first team to defend a crown in almost 30 years, I think they will. 

Your All-Star Five Prediction

Shona: Julie Allemand (BEL) Marta Xargay (ESP), Valeriane Ayayi (FRA). Jelena Brooks (SRB),  Maria Vadeeva (RUS).

Pierre: Julie Allemand (BEL), Marta Xargay (ESP),  Valeriane Ayayi (FRA), Emma Meesseman (BEL), ,Maria Vadeeva (RUS).

Paul: Julie Allemand (BEL), Marta Xargay (ESP), Jelena Brooks (SRB), Emma Meesseman (BEL), Astou Ndour (ESP).

An Outsider To Keep Their Tokyo Dream Alive

Shona: Slovenia, Sweden and Russia will all be fighting for a top 6 finish. Slovenia have been on the cusp of some major upsets and maybe now is their time. If the ball bounces right, they could finish top in Group C. Sweden have EuroLeague, EuroCup and WNBA talent and I think now is the time they put all of that together and show what they can do. There is no reason why they can't have a Cinderella story similar to that of Belgium's these last two years. Russia is a very young team who already have a superstar in Maria Vadeeva and with the experience of Coach Olaf Lange, anything is possible.

Pierre: Russia, Slovenia, Sweden, Serbia, Italy are all in the mix. It is such a tough competition and again there will be disappointment for some key countries. Can Maria Vadeeva bring Russia's global status back with a near-podium finish? Will Slovenia's new generation provide enough consistency to make a statement?  Can you really write the unpredictable Serbia off and especially on home soil ? Can Italy's excellent backcourt with added talent of Penna and Romeo make up for a lighter frontcourt? Will Sweden's hype turn true  - I think it will and they are the nation I am backing.

Paul: I agree with all the nations listed by Shona and Pierre, although I would also say absolutely anything is possible with Ukraine if they get their defense right to support Alina Iagupova.  But, I will also go with Sweden causing a surprise and moving towards Tokyo. They have classy players in Amanda Zahui, Farhiya Abdi and the Eldebrink twins to lead the way.  If they don't make the Quarter-Finals and push for the podium, I think this team will have underachieved. But it is the kind of challenge and target they need to push themselves. 

Who Will Entertain You?

Shona: Julie Allemand is one of the best point guards in the game right now! She should be playing with lots of confidence coming of an incredible World Cup performance and winning the LFB title with Lyon while also being voted a top 5 player in the LFB. I think it is time for Valeriane Ayayi to shine for France, after the best season of her career with ZVVZ USKPraha this year there is no reason why she can’t be the reason France is playing for gold. Also keep an eye out for Maria Vadeeva and Russia, there is nothing this young post player can’t do.

Pierre: There are so many to choose from, including Marine Johannes, Bria Hartley, Julie Allemand, Cecilia Zandalasini, Giorgia Sottana or Anna Cruz, but I’ll go with Ana Dabovic. She is such a fun and clutch player, a former MVP who loves to shine and who time and time again, has made the impossible look easy.

Paul: I can't wait to see Marine Johannes and Julie Allemand for France and Belgium, respectively. They will be teammates at Lyon next year and what a partnership that will be - a front row seat please! I am also intrigued to see if Belgium and Serbia can play amazing and entertaining high-tempo ball again, even if they’re both in the most difficult group.

They Won't Shine This Time!

Shona: We saw a wonderful run (which caused heartache for Italy) by Latvia at Eurobasket 2017 to punch their ticket to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018,  but I have a feeling this just isn't their summer. If they don't finish in the top 2 in group A, I don't think they will even make it to the Quarter-Finals. 

Pierre: Unfortunately I fear Latvia will have a tough time. Too many key players are missing the call and given the overall level of action, it will prove too much to make up for.

Paul: Latvia are obviously depleted, although they still have winnable games against Ukraine and Great Britain so they might scrape a ticket to Belgrade - but either way, they will probably underachieve against hopes before their absences were revealed. Meanwhile, Turkey will be under pressure to continue their excellent run which has seen them make four consecutive global events (2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018).  They will be relieved at the group they have been drawn in. However, can they make the top 5 or 6? It might be tough.

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