Russia (bbabo.net), - The Russian women's basketball team begins its participation in the qualification for the 2022 World Championship, which will be held in Australia. On Sunday, February 13, at 23.30 Moscow time, our girls in the Dominican Republic will fight with Belgium.
According to the original regulations, all matches of this qualifying group were to be held in Washington.
But due to the incompatibility of requirements for foreign citizens entering the United States and the list of vaccines approved in Russia for COVID-19, the games against Belgium and Puerto Rico have been moved to Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. The meeting between the USA and Russia was canceled altogether, the teams were awarded one point each, which corresponds to a game (and not a technical) defeat.
However, the cancellation of the match with the Americans had no effect on the tournament alignment. The Stars and Stripes, as Tokyo Olympic champions, have already guaranteed themselves participation in the 2022 World Cup. Now the Americans had victorious meetings with Belgium (84:75) and Puerto Rico (93:55) as if to get more game practice and to please their viewers. But Russia, the same Belgium and Puerto Rico will challenge the two remaining vouchers from this group.
One game in the competing trio has already taken place. In Washington, Belgium defeated Puerto Rico - 98:65. It is obvious that the match with Puerto Ricans will be the key for the Russians to enter the World Cup. But the Belgians also need to take revenge for the insulting defeat in the quarterfinals of last year's European Championship.
The head coach of the Russian national team Alexander Kovalev has 12 basketball players at his disposal, this is the standard number for applications for official meetings.
Point guards and attacking defenders - Marina Goldyreva ("Nika", Syktyvkar), Yulia Kozik, Ksenia Levchenko (both - "Dynamo", Kursk), Elizaveta Komarova ("Nadezhda", Orenburg), Camilla Ogun ("Namur", Belgium); forwards - Nina Glonti, Zhosselina Maiga, Alexandra Shtanko (all - MBA, Moscow), Raisa Musina ("Nika"), Daria Repnikova ("Sparta & K", Vidnoye), Olga Frolkina ("Dynamo", Kursk); center - Elizaveta Shabanova ("Dynamo" K).
Alas, for health reasons center Maria Vadeeva and Anastasia Shilova, who has a well-placed long-range shot, will not be able to help the national team. Honorary duties of the captain in Santo Domingo will be performed by the 2017 world champion among youth teams Raisa Musina.
Comment
Alexander Kovalev, head coach of the Russian national team:- We must and will show good basketball. We understand that two main players are not here with us - Vadeeva and Shilova. But all the girls are ready to show themselves in all their glory. For many years, the national team of our country has been one of the best in the world of women's basketball.
Now we have a young team with great prospects, which is gaining momentum. We want to get back to the top again. Belgium have already had two good matches: our first opponent looked great against the USA, having previously won a great victory over Puerto Rico. We conducted a thorough analysis of the actions of the Belgians, we will focus on defense against certain combinations. And we will try to achieve a positive result.
Where will we watch
February 13, Sunday"Match! Country"
23.25. Russia - Belgium. Selection for the 2022 World Cup. Live broadcast from Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic).
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