FRA - Gruda sets sights on gold at EuroBasket [video]

BELLEGARDE (EuroBasket Women) - France star Sandrine Gruda is making her much-awaited return to the French national team at EuroBasket Women this summer in Poland and she has set the bar high for herself and her team-mates.

Gruda missed last year's FIBA World Championship in the Czech Republic through injury. In her absence, France reached the quarter-finals where they lost a heartbreaking game in overtime against Spain.

Now the 23-year-old looks to help France successfully defend the title they won in Latvia in 2009 and qualify automatically for the 2012 London Olympics.

Pierre Vincent's charges step up their preparations ahead of EuroBasket with a tournament that will see them take on Belgium, Israel and Greece from Friday to Sunday.

Gruda talked to FIBA about taking a break from the game, how she sees her role on the team and the high hopes she has for this summer.

FIBA