The Spanish women’s basketball team is finishing up their painstaking preparations as the Eurobasket event approaches. They will play Portugal and Switzerland on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, at a friendly competition this week in the quaint seaside town of Viana do Castelo, Portugal.
Coach Miguel Méndez is carefully using these games to hone his team’s chemistry and preparation for the big stage in Germany, as they have just over a week until their Eurobasket opener against Great Britain. As the team builds its tournament momentum, these games serve as more than simply a warm-up; they provide an opportunity for the club’s budding stars to shine and receive priceless game-time experience.
Spain’s squad, which is currently proudly the runners-up in Europe, has been training hard. They have already recorded two outstanding wins in Mallorca, defeating Italy (57–42) and Greece (64–40) with resolute defensive performances that amply demonstrate their aspirations.
Spain is back in Madrid for some last-minute pre-tournament preparations against Portugal and Switzerland, who seem to be less formidable opponents. But without the comfort of home crowd support, these games present their own set of difficulties, putting the team’s abilities to the test. A squad of 14 players is heading to Portugal, and Raquel Carrera is making encouraging progress in her recuperation from an ankle injury sustained during the LF Endesa final. Setbacks continue, though, as coach Méndez just cut young prospects Noa Morro and Carolina Guerrero from the roster and Maite Cazorla retires due to injury.
At 20:00 on Tuesday, the opening match versus Portugal, their neighbors, will begin. Portugal, a surprise entry into the Eurobasket after finishing second in a very competitive group that included North Macedonia, Ukraine, and Serbia, is no pushover. They’ve only faltered once, against Serbia, but they’re proud of their impressive 57-40 victory that attracted attention. Watch their standout players, such as the dominant center Maria Kostourkova and Maria Bettencourt Correia of Azul Marino Viajes Mallorca Sant Josep. After four friendlies against Slovenia and Serbia, they are riding high on a wave of confidence.
Switzerland, a squad generating enthusiasm with their first Eurobasket venture in almost 70 years, will play Spain on Wednesday at 18:00. The Swiss advanced through a qualifying group that featured Bosnia-Herzegovina, Luxembourg, and Montenegro. In a memorable tie, they finished neck and neck with Luxembourg.
