The Cuban women’s basketball team is ready to participate from this Friday in a triangular tournament called the International Teams Absolute along with Canada and Spain in search of the best way to tackle the sport discipline’s World Championship, to be played in Turkey, from September 27 through October 5.
Directed by DT Alberto Zabala they will have in this event in Spanish soil, specifically in the northern town of Logroño, a major commitment to smooth rough defensive skill, empathize in the technical-tactical order and oppose representations of pedigree that are also getting ready for the Worlds.
The host team is the current European champion and has on its payroll several players who are among the best in the continent. Among its features stand out the speed on the court, precise shots from the short, medium and long distance, and an effective inside game. Their status is such that most of the specialists foresee them in the final-four stage.
For its part, the Canadian won the second place in the FIBA Americas tournament last year. In fact, they lost the last match against the Cubans, who after that terrific performance restored hope to the fans of the sport on the island.
According to the official calendar, the Cubans will make their debut against Canadians on the 19 to face the Spaniards two days later.
These confrontations become a prelude to the world championship, and the coaching staff led by Zabala will specifically define the game system and the starting roster, since several of their players can play different roles in the game.
Despite their good speed, they have problems in the rebounds due to their shorter than standard physiques, and it would be essential in the game´s outcome if they improve their effectiveness in their shooting from all distances.
According to previous lineups the starting quintet should be made up by Ineidis Casanova, Oyanaisis Gelis, Yamara Bitter, MVP in the continental qualifier, Marlene Cepeda and Clenia Noblet in their debut against group favorites, Australia, multiple medalist in world championships.
After that they will have better chances, not many, against Belarus, fourth in Europe, with tall and strong players, and later they will face South Korea, that cover the lack of height with great speed both in attack and defense, and are very good going for triplets, added to great tactical discipline.
Speaking to journalist Julio Gómez Llucià, director Zabala said: “We know we’re going to a hard tournament and for this we are preparing for. We have videos of the teams and we are very optimistic. It’s good to know that we worked well. ”
Last time Cuba qualified for a World Chmpionship was in 2006 in Brazil. There they passed the first stage with two wins and a loss. Victories were over Taiwan (75-70) and France (78-73) and the loss to Czech Republic (51-73).
In the next stage they lost their three games in a row: USA (50-90), China (70-73) and Russia (81-96), therefore they were left to fight for a place from the ninth to the 17th. They first lost to Germany (71-68) and took revenge over China in a very close game (71-68)
The best result ever for a Cuban team was the third place in 1990 in Malaysia, with a team lead by Leonor Borrel, and with a roster that included some of the best players of Cuban history: Regla Hernández, Ana Gloria Hernández, Yudith Águila y Milaida Enríquez. The same squad two years later, in the Barcelona Olympics finished in the fourth position.
