RUS – The Abrosimova switch

BYDOGOSZCZ (EuroBasket Women 2011) - Are Russia back on track in their pursuit of the EuroBasket Women title that would guarantee a spot at next year's Olympics?

Svetlana Abrosimova thinks so, and so does Russia coach Boris Sokolovskiy.

The playmaker position hadn’t suited Abrosimova in Poland so on Saturday, Sokolovskiy returned her to shooting guard and she responded with 13 points and helped the team beat the Czech Republic, 69-55.

Made captain of the national side by Sokolovskiy this summer, the pressure of playing the demanding position of point guard was taken away when the coach started Elena Danilochkina at the number one slot and brought Tatiana Popova off the bench when Danilochkina needed a breather.

The only thing that matters for Abrosimova, Sokolovskiy and everyone on the Russian bench is winning games.

"We needed this win," Abrosimova said. "We only had one bad quarter and played three pretty good quarters.

"Obviously they fought really hard.

"We've got our team back.

"I think we're good to go now."

Watch EuroBasket Women 2011 Live on FIBA TV

Abrosimova, 30, was a member of the all-tournament team at the EuroBasket Women in Riga two years ago when Russia captured a silver medal.

The plan had been to include naturalized Russian Epiphanny Prince from the United States in the squad but Russia and the former Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje playmaker never agreed when she would join the national team during their preparations and ultimately, she stayed away.

Danilochkina certainly responded to the challenge from a scoring standpoint as she had a team-high 16 points.

But she also finished with no assists and four turnovers - the same amount as Abrosimova.

Sokolovskiy believes Russia may have turned the corner with the win and was especially happy for Abrosimova.

"What I'm glad about is that we have our captain and shooting guard back," Sokolovskiy said.

"Svetlana had an excellent game."

Visit FIBA TV for comprehensive live coverage of EuroBasket Women 2011. Don’t miss any of the action from Poland with catch up game highlights, features and interviews.

FIBA