Buceta keen for preparation camp to be launch pad
BySportsbeat
Published 26/01/2016 at 10:17 GMT
Great Britain women's basketball head coach Jose Maria Buceta is hoping the upcoming preparation camp can be a launch pad to success ahead of next month's crucial EuroBasket Women 2017 qualifiers.
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
Buceta has named 16 players to the preparation camp as he gears his team up for games against Group C rivals Albania and Montenegro on February 20 and 24.
Great Britain are seeking a fourth consecutive appearance in the Final Round although their chances suffered a blow with back-to-back defeats against Montenegro and Italy in the previous qualifying window last November.
The camp sees a first senior call-up for England U18 star Kyla Nelson while fellow youngsters Savannah Wilkinson and Eleanor Jones are also included.
GB's most-capped player Stef Collins returns after injury ruled her out in November while a slew of Olympians, including Chantelle Handy, Rachel Vanderwal and Jo Leedham also get the call.
And Buceta insists now is the time for his troops to really push on.
"I am looking forward to seeing the players again and working with them, because there were so many positives from the last window – even if we didn't quite get the wins," he said.
"I remain very proud of the effort and application of the players, because in both games, we had the opportunity to take victory and especially in the one against Italy.
"Now we are looking forward and we have to take things step by step – even if we will be big favourites in the first of these next two games against Albania.
"We have to show them respect and must be prepared if we want to get even more confidence by taking a first win into the following game with Montenegro.
"It is important we also remember that we are a good team and we have good players, who will be doing everything they can to get two wins in this window."
Sportsbeat 2016
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement