MOSCOW (Olympics) - Russia have cut two more players after splitting their two-game friendly series with Australia.
Russia coach Boris Sokolovskiy has decided that Natalia Myasoedova and Irina Sokolovskaya will not continue with the national team.
There are still 17 players in the squad, so five more must go.
Sokolovskaya had been initially cut after missing an earlier training camp due to illness and only rejoined the squad last week as a replacement for Marina Karpunina (knee).
She wasn’t able to reach the level of fitness needed after missing time off the court.
"Now Irina lacks the physical condition to be in the rotation of players," Sokolovskiy said.
"We thank Irina for helping the team.
"As for Natalia Myasoedova, at the moment the competition in the frontcourt is fierce.
"Over the last year, the rivals of Myasoedova (Ekaterina Lisina, Nadezhda Grishaeva and Natalia Vieru) have made a significant step forward.
"(Anna) Petrakova had a very convincing season and is now playing well.
"(Marina) Kusina missed the second friendly game with Australia due to a slight injury. (Irina) Osipova isn't in form but it is a very experienced player and we look forward to her improvement.
"Right now the national team coaching staff still has a huge amount of questions regarding the big players.”
Myasoedova will remain on standby, however, until 29 June.
Russia, who won the EuroBasket Women last year, will play in Group B of the Olympics with Australia, Brazil, Great Britain and two sides that come out of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women (OQTW) in Ankara, Turkey.
They will continue their preparations with a training camp in Latvia from 21 to 29 June.
