Lundquist lighting it up

Sopron (FIBA U18 Women's European Championship 2017) - Not being a basketball powerhouse, Sweden are used to flying under the radar. However, a new generation of players are hoping to make a splash and inspire a basketball boom back home. Thus, Sweden's U18s women's team understands the importance of performing well in Sopron.

After a big Day 1 loss to tournament favorites Spain, a resilient Sweden have bounced back impressively with wins over Croatia and Serbia - two traditional basketball powerhouses - to finish second in Group A. It means they will play an upstart Greece in the Round of 16 on Day 4.

At the forefront of Sweden's solid start to the tournament has been Klara Lundquist, who averaged team-highs of 23.3 points and 10 rebounds during the Group Phase. The 5ft 8in (1.73m) point guard provides the spark to an otherwise steady team relying on nous and efficiency to outplay opponents.

With dazzling ball-handling skills mixed with quickness, Lundquist slithers past opponents and can get her shot off at almost any spot she desires. Despite her short stature, Lundquist confidently drives to the basket and has a knack of scoring over rim protectors. Perhaps most impressively, Lundquist has a fierce desire to compete, testament to her ability to consistently grab rebounds over taller opponents.

Despite her obvious talent and impressive statistics, where she averaged the most points per game during the Group Phase, Lundquist is still a work in progress. She averaged 21 shots across the three games but converted only 42 percent of her field goals, including just 30 percent from deep. If she can become more than a streaky shooter, Lundquist could scale great heights.

Lundquist, who turns 18 later this month, understands she needs to improve her shot. "I know that I have to improve my shooting everywhere," she says. "Mostly I need to improve my three-pointers and jump shots. I've had mixed results but will keep working hard."

Lundquist hails from impressive basketball pedigree with her sister Anna Lundquist a renowned player having represented Sweden in numerous youth championships. Currently, the 20-year-old is playing for Siena College in the US.

Lundquist says her sister has been an inspiration but isn't sure whether she will follow Anna's footsteps. "Growing up we played for the same team for about five years and I always looked up to her as she was a good mentor," she says. "I'm not sure if I will be going to the US as my focus is playing in Europe but I will keep my options open." 

In what shapes as an intriguing Round of 16 contest, Lundquist will be pitted against Greek dynamo Elena Tsineke in a match-up of the tournament's two leading scorers. Lundquist hopes success for Sweden in this tournament can help inspire more basketball fandom in her country.

"I think we have a good chance to reach the Quarter-Finals but we have to play at a high level and be consistent," she says. "Basketball is still growing in popularity in Sweden. I think it is growing but a lot of that depends on the success of the national teams. If we can play well then basketball will become more popular and I think we are on the right track for that to happen."

FIBA