Belarus plump for experience

MINSK (EuroBasket Women 2015) - Targeting a top five finish at EuroBasket Women 2015, Belarus will rely on experience to help them go deep in the tournament and realise their aim of making it to Rio 2016.

Back at the helm for his first major tournament since the 2011 edition of the event, head coach Anatoli Buyalski will potentially have one of the oldest and most experienced rosters in the competition at his disposal.

Led by the unmistakable figure and presence of Yelena Leuchanka, Belarus have also confirmed the participation of a veteran in the backcourt via the naturalised Lindsey Harding.

Harding is one of just two newcomers to the senior team - the other being 21-year-old Maryna Ivaschanka, who has impressed at youth level and worked under Coach Buyalski in EuroCup Women with Horizont.

There will the familiar faces of other players from the Minsk club including the likes of Tatyana Troina, Nataliya Trafimava, Tatsiana Likhtarovich and the returning Anastasiya Verameyenka, who is back from maternity leave and could once again be potent in the paint with Leuchanka.

Meanwhile Katsiaryna Snytsina is someone who has shown some great form during the recent preparation games and could have the hot hand as Belarus prepare to tussle with Italy, Greece, Poland and Turkey in Group B which will take place in Oradea.

Belarus final roster for EuroBasket Women 2015: Lindsey Harding, Maryna Ivashchanka, Sviatlana Kudrashova, Yelena Leuchanka, Tatsiana Likhtarovich, Maryia Papova, Yuliya Rytsikava, Katsiaryna Snytsina, Nataliya Trafimava, Tatyana Troina, Anastasia Verameyenka, Volha Ziuzkova.

Go to eurobasketwomen2015.com for full coverage of EuroBasket Women 2015.

FIBA