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Message: [QUOTE="eebmg, post: 2850146, member: 7548"] Useful preview of World Cup here [URL="http://www.wnba.com/news/2018-fiba-women-basketball-world-cup-preview/"]10 Things to Know About the 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA[/URL] In this year’s World Cup, the expected top challengers include… [LIST=1] [*][I]Australia –[/I] If there’s any team that can knock off USABWNT and prevent their gold three-peat, it’s the Australians — along with Brazil, the only team to have won this tournament in the past two decades-plus. Coached by former WNBA champion Sandy Brondello of the Phoenix Mercury, Australia is jam-packed with familiar WNBA faces like Rebecca Allen (New York Liberty), Liz Cambage (Dallas Wings), Cayla George (Dallas Wings), Leilani Mitchell (Phoenix Mercury) and Stephanie Talbott (Phoenix Mercury). Cambage alone could make the team a contender, coming off a breakthrough season in which she led the WNBA in scoring and posted a record 53-point game. The Aussies could challenge the Americans early on if they finish second in their grouping, as the winner of the Quarter-Final Qualifiers will face USABWNT in the Quarter-FInals. [*][I]Spain – [/I]The host country is not one to miss either. [URL='http://www.fiba.basketball/rankingwomen']Currently No. 2 in FIBA’s rankings[/URL], the Spaniards won the 2017 FIBA EuroBasket qualifier and look to continue pressing forward into the World Cup. Although they suffered a great loss to their roster in Sancho Lyttle (ACL), Spain still will be a major competitor in the tournament. With 2x EuroLeague champion and 15-year Spanish National Team veteran Laia Palau, 2017 EuroBasket tournament MVP Alba Torrens and 2014 WNBA second-round pick Astou Ndour (currently with Chicago Sky), Spain could challenge the Americans later on in the tournament in either the Finals or Semifinals. [*][I]France – [/I]USA has another major competitor in [URL='http://www.fiba.basketball/rankingwomen']No. 3-ranked France[/URL], who is led by WNBA vet Sandrine Gruda. Gruda plays alongside Endy Miyem, who spent the last year with the Minnesota Lynx under USABWNT assistant coach Cheryl Reeve. The French just recently faced off against USA in an exhibition in Antibes and showed that they are not a team to doubt. Although the Americans pulled away in the final five minutes to win, 77-60, Gruda (12 PTS) and Marine Johannes (11 PTS) made it a tough battle down the stretch. This French team could also challenge the Americans early in a potential quarterfinals matchup. [*][I]Canada –[/I] Another team to watch out for during the tournament is one not too far from the USA, and that’s Canada. In one of the final domestic USAB domestic exhibitions, Canada looked primed and ready to make a statement. In that exhibition, New York Liberty rookie Kia Nurse dropped a game-high 22 points for the Canadians, who led most of the game until the fourth quarter, when USA outscored them 26-12. Although Canada has taken a major hit in losing Kayla Alexander from the Indiana Fever due to injury, they still have a strong piece in forward Natalie Achonwa (Indiana Fever) and an experienced roster. Veteran leader Miranda Ayim has been a part of the national team since 2005 and even led them to the 2017 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup title. Don’t be surprised if Canada makes a deep run. [/LIST] [/QUOTE]

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