No time off for Torrens and Spain in Sopron

 SOPRON (Hungary) - Alba Torrens has seen and done it all before down the years, so she is aware Spain can't take a single second off when they hit the court at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament. 

Ready to step out in Sopron against host nation Hungary, Japan, and Canada, it's going to be an epic battle between four contenders. In fact, many observers consider it to be one of the most competitive and finely balanced groups of any FIBA competition in recent memory.

"THE KEY IS TO LIVE IN THE PRESENT. EVERY ACTION, MINUTE AND QUARTER... YOU HAVE TO BE PRESENT IN EVERY MOMENT." - Alba Torrens

"We are very excited. That's the way to describe it because the Olympic Games are at stake," stated Torrens.

"But we are also aware of the difficulty of the tournament. It seems different - here are four teams, three will advance. But it's complicated. There are tough rivals for different reasons, and we are prepared for the fight.

"It's an open tournament with many possibilities, where we know that the top three teams from a group of four will advance."

Torrens is ready to make sure Spain are locked in and focused so they punch their Olympic ticket

She continued: "You can win one and advance. Win two and advance. Or not. It's unpredictable; it's very open.

"So, the key is to live in the present. Every action, minute and quarter. We might decide it in the end and there's that uncertainty, so you have to be present in every moment," she warned.

Torrens will again be the go-to baller for Spain and it was her quality and experience that saw her make the All-Star Five at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket last year - the latest individual accolade of her stellar career. 

For Spain and playcaller Miguel Mendez in particular, the time is now. There is no scope for error. He picked up the coaching reins post Tokyo Olympic Games  and as one of the highest ranked nations, the mission was to get Spain back to where they belong - competing on a global platform. 

"NINETY PERCENT OF EVERYTHING WILL BE DECIDED ON THE LAST DAY, WHERE WE ALSO FACE THE HOME TEAM. ANY TEAM CAN BEAT ANYONE." - Miguel Mendez

"We have maximum expectations. We saw it when we missed the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Spanish basketball has to be at major events," declared Mendez.

"It gives us visibility, power, and growth. Not going [to the Olympics] would be a great disappointment. Not personally, but for basketball. It would be the opposite of success.

"I think the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament will be tricky. It's important to maintain mental health, team play, and group behavior, which is our main characteristic and will be an added value.

"Ninety percent of everything will be decided on the last day, where we also face the home team. Any team can beat anyone."

The combined experience of Torrens and Mendez will be priceless for Spain

Agreeing with the 'Group of Death' moniker, Mendez is aware of the quality that his opponents will bring to the table when the action tips off.

He said: "It's true that Canada has many WNBA players, powerful ones, but some have been inactive for a long time.

"Japan stopped its league a month ago and has been concentrated since the 10th, but they haven't played preparatory matches. We are somewhat balanced in that aspect because there players are also playing in Europe and locally, but I believe our expectations are high. Japan play an Asian style of basketball; fast-paced, physical, running, shooting from outside, and quite chaotic.

"Meanwhile Canada are a physical team with veterans and experienced players and many expectations. Hungary has added two players who weren't there, and we saw their competitiveness in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket. They have improved since last summer."

Finally, Mendez has poured cold water on the assertion that Megan Gustafson will ride into the mix to somehow single-handedly thrust Spain to the Olympics. He is adamant that it is his trusted core that are most likely to do the heavy lifting.

Raquel Carrera is frontcourt star who will work alongside the newly arrived Megan Gustafson

He explained: "Megan  is a player for the future, more than today. In the immediate future, I trust the players from the FIBA Women's EuroBasket and with her, there are expectations, but she doesn't come as a savior or anything like that.

"She would have a different role if she had been in the last [FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 Qualifying] window, gaining knowledge in defense, attack, and style.

"In two days, it's difficult, but we don't put all that pressure on her shoulders. There are other players like Raquel Carrera, Irati Etxarri, or Laura Gil who have also performed well," concluded Mendez.

Spain tip off their campaign in Sopron against Japan on Thursday February 8.

FIBA