The amazing Women's EuroBasket journey of Laia Palau

VALENCIA (Spain) - Laia Palau will rack up a rare and remarkable milestone in the coming weeks when she steps out for Spain at her 10th edition of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket.

 

Here is her story of an incredible journey and roller-coaster ride in the competition, spanning almost two decades.

Chapter #1: Greece - 2003

Helped by the experience of her major tournament debut a year earlier in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, Palau made a big impression at her first FIBA Women's EuroBasket. The guard memorably scored a sparkling 18 points against Poland to secure her country a bronze medal.

Tournament Statistics: 11.2 PPG, 3.3 APG in 27.8 MPG

Chapter #2: Turkey - 2005

Coming a year after her first Olympics which was held in Athens, Palau led Spain in assists with almost 5 per game at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2005 and was in the top three of the tournament for passing the rock. While Spain finished on the last podium step again, there was palpable disappointment at missing out on the Final for a third consecutive edition. This time, going down to Czech Republic in the Semi-Final.

Tournament Statistics: 7.8 PPG, 4.6 APG in 25.4 MPG

Chapter #3: Italy - 2007

Wearing her now-famous number nine vest for the first time, hopes were high that Palau could help Spain to go one better and qualify for the title game. She did indeed step out in her first Final, but despite a super 18 points against Russia, she had to settle for silver.

Tournament Statistics: 6.0 PPG, 2.3 APG in 24.3 MPG

Chapter #4: Latvia - 2009

Hopes were again high heading into FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2009 that Spain could make the title game again. However, Palau and Co lost in the Semi-Finals against Russia by a disappointing 16 point margin. They reacted by taking a bronze medal with a Third-Place Game win against Belarus.

Tournament Statistics: 4.1 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.8 APG in 24.4 MPG

Chapter #5: Poland - 2011

The 2011 edition of the event started well enough for Palau and Spain as they breezed past Germany but the wheels would come crashing off with shock losses to Montenegro and Croatia - as well as a loss to France. It proved to be a bitter pill to swallow as Spain missed the Quarter-Finals, with their 9th place finish still their worst finish since 1985. 

Tournament Statistics: 7.3 PPG, 2.0 APG in 19.8 MPG

Chapter #6: France - 2013

With new head coach Lucas Mondelo at the helm for her fifth tournament appearance, Palau flourished at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2013  and it was to be the first silverware of a dominant era for Spain.  Spain conquered hosts France in an epic Final which resulted in Palau picking up her first-ever gold medal for her country. It was also the first time her nation had stood on the top podium step in 20 years.

Tournament Statistics: 3.3 PPG, 3.4 APG in 18.7 MPG

Chapter #7: Hungary and Romania - 2015

The defending champions went into FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2015 as favorites and looking to become the first country to successfully defend their crown since the Soviet Union in 1991. Palau and her teammates came up short as they lost to France in the Semi-Finals. However, they did bounce back to beat Belarus in the Third-Place game as the guard collected her sixth medal at her seventh event. 

Tournament Statistics: 3.6 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 4.0 APG in  20.1 MPG

Chapter #8: Czech Republic - 2017

Palau went into her eighth tournament having announced that it would be her last and that she would be retiring and hanging up her national team jersey following FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2017. In what looked to be a fairytale finish to her career at the top level, Palau won the title with her country for a second time as Spain beat France in the Final in Prague.

Tournament Statistics: 3.3 PPG, 3.5 APG in 21 MPG

Chapter #9: Serbia and Latvia - 2019

Having made a 'U-Turn' on her retirement for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 in Tenerife, Palau was persuaded to extend her stay for a 9th FIBA Women's EuroBasket. With 2017 MVP Alba Torrens ruled out injured, there was even more of an onus on Palau to use her veteran know-how and help Spain land two titles in a row for the first time in their history. Spain successfully defended their crown by beating neighbors France in the Final again and Palau collected the third gold medal of her distinguished career at the event.

Tournament Statistics: 7.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 4.3 APG in 21.7 MPG

Chapter #10: Spain and France - 2021

Now we're about to find out what this last FIBA Women's Eurobasket chapter will look like for Palau as she prepares for her tenth appearance in the competition.

FIBA