Spain name 12 for Women’s Basketball World Cup

Spain’s 12-player squad begins its Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany on Friday against the hosts, with Alba Torrens as captain. Coach Miguel Méndez confirmed his final selection on Monday. Alicia Flórez, who has played twice for Spain, is heading to her first major tournament with the national side.

The Spanish Basketball Federation confirmed that Torrens will be joined by María Conde, Paula Ginzo, Maite Cazorla, Raquel Carrera, Mariona Ortiz, Helena Pueyo, Iyana Martín, Awa Fam, Elena Buenavida, Megan Gustafson and Flórez.

Five WNBA players return for final squad

Méndez began preparations with a 21-player shortlist. Fam, Carrera, Conde, Gustafson and Flórez missed almost all of the training camp while playing in the WNBA.

Andrea Vilaró, Irati Etxarri, María Araújo, Aina Ayuso, Lola Pendande, Nerea Hermosa and Marta García did not make the final 12. Txell Alarcón and Carolina Guerrero had already left the camp after Spain’s first friendly against Germany in mid-August.

Eight European runners-up remain

Eight members of the squad finished as European runners-up last year: Torrens, Ginzo, Carrera, Ortiz, Pueyo, Martín, Fam and Buenavida.

Méndez said choosing the final group had been difficult because of the level shown by every player in camp. He said his staff had opted for the squad shape they believed would represent Spain best at the World Cup.

Topics: Sport

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com