TAMPA, FLA., JULY 11, 2016 – The U20 Spanish National Team began the defense of its European Championship title in Portugal Saturday, and rising University of South Florida junior Laia Flores is back for her final season with the youth national program.
“I am really excited to play in my last youth European Championship for my country,” said Flores. “I am honored to represent my teammates and coaches who help make me a better player and person every year.”
For the past eight years, Flores has been a staple for the Youth Spanish National Team, making her first appearance on the U13 squad. Spain has been a perennial power with Flores on the team, and the Mataro native has earned four gold medals at European Championships during her time with the program.
Flores returned to Spain in May and immediately began preparing for the European Championship. At the start of June, 14 players were invited to camp, but prior to international scrimmages, the squad was cut to 12. Flores and her team scrimmaged against teams they will likely face past the group phase of the European Championship, including Turkey, Russia and the Netherlands in Spain before traveling to Portugal for final preparation leading up to the tournament.
The Group Phase of the 2016 U20 European Championship started Saturday, and the eight-day pinnacle event takes place from July 8-19 in Matosinhos, Portugal. Spain landed in Group A, arguably the toughest group with Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the home team Portugal. All teams qualify for the Final Phase, beginning with the Round of 16, ranked based on the group phase record. From there, it's survive and advance.
No stranger to the pressure of tournament action, Flores brings a steady voice in her second season competing with the U20 team. Spain is the reigning champion and is viewed as the team to beat.
“To have the opportunity to play for Spain U20 is an honor but also a responsibility,” said Flores. “They expect us to perform and at least medal. We have worked hard to make this happen. If we medal, it is a recognition of the hard work done for our coaches and our country.”
Spain won its opening game of the championship Saturday, downing Poland, 56-36. Flores scored seven points and grabbed two steals in 17 minutes of action. In the team's 64-60 loss to host Portugal, Flores scored five points in 24 minutes of action. Monday will provide a day of rest for all the teams, and Spain will Bosnia and Herzegovina Tuesday in the final competition of the Group Phase.
To follow all the action of the U20 European Championship, visit www.fiba.com or click here.
The Bulls return eight players from last season, and have signed six newcomers to the roster. American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year Kitija Laksa will lead a squad full of international flavor that boasts nine players from around the world. USF will look to extend its postseason streak to five consecutive seasons and return to the conference championship for the third time in as many years.
USF has made 12 postseason tournament appearances and had four NCAA Tournament berths in Head Coach Jose Fernandez's 16 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided USF to seven 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2009 WNIT championship and won more than 280 games.
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