#EuroBasketWomen 2019 – Good draw or bad draw for Great Britain?

My immediate reaction to the draw handed to Great Britain for the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2019 was ‘ouch’. Perhaps as fourth seeds (the bottom Group) it was never going to be anything different.

After that initial feeling to being drawn against Spain, Ukraine and Latvia, I recognised it could have been even worse (Group D – the obligatory Group of Death), but then also a whole lot better.

The biggest issue is that by being dealt reigning champions and world power like Spain, you effectively have two games only. No team is unbeatable, but the fact they have reached every possible podium in recent memory is a measure of the challenge. Packed with WNBA and EuroLeague Women stars, like Alba Torrens, Marta Xargay, Astou Ndour and Anna Cruz, it is a mountain standing in the way of Great Britain. That is not a pessimistic view, it is reality.

Meanwhile Ukraine are a handful. They are interesting opponents in the sense that perhaps more than any other team at the tournament, they are reliant on a single player in the shape of the phenomenal Alina Iagupova. If she is on fire it could be curtains.

It poses a fascinating dilemma for Chema Buceta. Do Great Britain focus defensively on locking down her and turning off the main offensive tap, or do they let he get her usual 25-30 points and make sure there are no serious second or third chance scorers? Not that Ukraine are a one-woman team and the way they stood toe-to-toe with Spain in the Qualifiers is testament to that. They pushed Spain hard. In Taisiia Udodenko they also have one of the most underrated players on the Continent.

As for tournament co-hosts Latvia, they are unpredictable. Wholly unpredictable. They finished 6th last year at Final Round to make the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup for the first time. That took place recently in Tenerife and Latvia went 0-3 – losing to an African opponent in Senegal which was a surprise.

At the moment though, they are back on track. The Federation and TTT Riga ( their biggest club) have embarked on a project ahead of co-hosting which has seen the bulk of their squad stay in the capital to play EuroLeague Women this season. It is a smart move and Head Coach Martins Zibarts has got them really flying. The main source of danger will come from Anete Steinberga who plays in Italy and her battle with Temi Fagbenle will be epic. The fly in their ointment is that star winger Kitija Laksa suffered a serious injury playing in the States and is doubtful. That means they are short on firepower.

In summary, and using head over heart, Great Britain have (on paper at least), been handed one unwinnable game and two winnable games. On balance and as fourth seeds, that seems like a par score. The reality is that it will all come down to Great Britain’s own performances – both collectively and individually.

We have to remember we have our own EuroLeague Women, EuroCup Women, and indeed WNBA players – plus Olympians who have been there and done it. So we have nothing to fear. Plus, I will take my own advice and that was simply that if you are chasing an easy draw at FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2019, you are probably chasing the impossible.

Let the countdown to Great Britain playing in Riga begin!

Paul Nilsen aka @Basketmedia365