RIO DE JANEIRO (2010 FIBA World Championship for Women) - Carlos Colinas has named evergreens Alessandra Oliveira and Helen Luz in his 18-strong preliminary squad for the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Women.
The 37-year-olds, members of the country’s 1994 world-title winning side, hadn’t played for the national team since 2006 when they returned to the set-up last year and helped Brazil win the FIBA Americas Championship.
Colinas also has 17-year-old center Damiris Amaral and Tassia Carcavalli, an 18-year-old point guard, in the group.
The Spanish coach, who was appointed after doing a magnificent job with youth teams in his home country, is excited about his first summer with the Brazilians.
They will take on take on Spain, Korea and Mali in Preliminary Round Group C at the FIBA World Championship for Women.
"We have put together a group with a mix of experienced players and young talent that is emerging on the international and national scene,” Colinas said.
“We have a balanced team with complete technical characteristics that can be used based on the needs of a particular game or a specific situation."
All of the players except Erika dos Santos and Iziane Castro Marques will join Colinas on June 29 in Barueri to have their medicals.
While Erika and Iziane will arrive after fulfilling their WNBA commitments, Amaral and Carcavalli will compete at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship in Colorado from June 23-27 before travelling back to Brazil to join the preparations.
Practices won’t begin until July 3.
Before the big event in the Czech Republic, Brazil will compete in the South American Championship that runs from August 8-14.
As part of the preparations, Brazil will travel to Europe and face Slovakia in a couple of warm-up games on July 28-29.
They will then compete in a Grand Prix event against Hungary, Russia and Slovakia from July 31 to August 2.
Following the South American Championship, the Brazilians will host Argentina, Cuba and Poland in a Super Four Electrobras event from September 2-4.
Brazil will then head to France and take on FIBA Africa Championship for Women silver medalists Mali in a friendlies.
They will end their preparations for the Czech Republic in Paris September 16-18 with games against Argentina, France and Japan.
Brazil preliminary squad: Alessandra Oliveira, Érika Souza, Nádia Colhado, Damiris Amaral, Kelly Santos, Jucimara Dantas (Mamá), Franciele Nascimento, Fernanda Beling, Sílvia Gustavo, Iziane Marques, Micaela Jacintho, Karen Gustavo, Helen Luz, Tássia Carcavalli, Cristina Carvalho, Palmira Marçal, Adrianinha Pinto, Natália Burian.
FIBA
