PRAGUE (EuroBasket Women) – Czech Republic coach Lubor Blazek is going into battle this summer without his biggest weapon.
Veteran point guard Hana Horakova, the most valuable player of last years’ FIBA World Championship for Women, has decided not to play at the EuroBasket Women in Poland.
The 31-year-old point guard led her national team to a silver medal in Karlovy Vary.
She averaged 12.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists.
In their quarter-final upset of defending champions Australia, Horakova hit four of seven shots from long range and finished with 21 points and also pulled down eight rebounds.
"We are beginning a new journey,” Blazek said at his press conference on Thursday.
“It is not possible to look back - even to the last European Championship in Latvia, where we finished 10th, or the silver at the World Championship last year.
“I have personally spoken with every player (in the preliminary squad) and I know that they all have great motivation.”
Czech Republic Preliminary squad (for EuroBasket): Veronika Bortelová, Kateøina Bartoòová, Eva Víteèková, Kateøina Elhotová, Tereza Pecková, Jana Veselá, Michaela Zrùstová, Darina Johnová, Kateøina Hindráková, Romana Hejdová, Petra Kulichová, Edita Šujanová, Alena Hanušová, Romana Stehlíková, Zora Škrabalová, Ilona Burgrová, Michala Hartigová and Kamila Štìpánová.
