The Year of Dreams: Araujo chasing more magical moments

GIRONA (Spain) - If you were trying to identify the most improved player in EuroLeague Women, you would be hard pressed to find a better candidate than Spar Girona forward Maria Araujo.

Both player and club are on a sharp upwards curve right now and find themselves within touching distance of a first-ever appearance at the Final Four.

Not bad, considering they started out in the EuroLeague Women Qualifiers last October.

One of the main reasons they have the opportunity to take a leap forwards and attain a new high watermark is down to the form of Araujo. She has enjoyed a super campaign so far, underlined by the fact that she was crowned Top Performer for Gameday 4 when she received deserved recognition for her growing influence in the competition.

She is also reaping the rewards of lining up alongside several experienced players including the likes of Frida Eldebrink, Chelsea Gray, Sonja Vasic and, of course, EuroLeague Women legend Laia Palau.

"The truth is that I am very happy and I think that this year, I am growing a lot also because I have players with a lot of experience and quality at my side that make me better," she revealed.

"Training with good people always enables you to be a little bit better every day. When I was little, I always thought 'I want to play with Laia Palau and I won't be able to' - but look at us now!

"I am lucky to be able to share a locker room with her, but above all - a friendship. I learn from her every day. Her experience speaks for itself and as a younger player, I feel very happy to have her close to me.

"I'm also very happy because I feel the warmth of the fans here in Girona," added Araujo.

Confidence is high not only for the 23-year-old herself, but for the whole team.

They recently toppled their Quarter-Finals opponent and fierce domestic rivals Perfumerias Avenida en-route to landing the team's maiden Copa De La Reina. It means they are already moving towards what could turn out to be an incredible and memorable season.

"I think that if we achieve the Final Four, it will be the year of our dreams," smiled Araujo.

"We all like to make history, so if we are able to do it twice it will be incredible. We know it will be difficult as there are two games to be played on the court in Salamanca, but we will go for it.

"The truth is that the Copa success has been something very exciting, since at the beginning of it, we knew that we were not going as favorites. We had a Semi-Final against Avenida who came from not having lost once during the the entire league season.

"But with our desire and emotions, we were able to win that game and then the Final, with my joy being doubled for several reasons. It was not only something historic for the club, it was also my first Queen's Cup and the team are very happy about the success."

So what impact will beating Avenida in the Copa have on the Quarter-Finals match-up?|

"Well, this March we will end up playing against them four times as we've played them in the Cup, we have these two Euroleague Women Quarter-Final games and then the following week, we have a regular league game," mused Araujo.

"In the end, I think that each game serves to analyze our rivals and improve any small mistakes that the team has made during each contest. Both teams will go into the Quarter-Finals with great enthusiasm since they are very important games. I think that we will both face each other in the same way as we did in the Cup because we all want to win." 

A potential dream year for Araujo might also be broken down into three parts - not two.

With the Copa already in the bag, the EuroLeague Women Final Four now within reach, there is also the opportunity for her to finally make a breakthrough at national team level with Spain in what could be the icing on the cake.

"IT'S EVERY PLAYER'S DREAM TO BE ABLE TO REPRESENT THEIR COUNTRY." - Araujo

Yet to play at a FIBA Women's EuroBasket having disappointingly missed out on a roster place two years ago, it would be quite something if she was to make her debut in the competition when Spain are at home as co-hosts.

Then of course, there is also the alluring prospect of even more history with a potential plane ticket to the Tokyo Olympics.

"You always have to see the good side of things, or so I think," said Araujo when reflecting on not making the cut in 2019.

"Every time I go with the national team I enjoy myself like a little girl. I always learn and try to do my best. Every summer I train to be better and so I might be able to get into the team.

"It's every player's dream to be able to represent their country and for me, especially because of how it is this summer - the possibility of the Olympics and a FIBA Women's Eurobasket at home, in Valencia.

"I think the Final Round draw was good and we are happy. If we want to win a medal, we must win every game and I am sure that the Spanish team will play a great role in the tournament," declared Araujo.

FIBA