Brazil: Shine without Janeth

The Seleçao is in transition following the retirements of three basketball greats, but National Team coach Paulo Bassul is eager to help the Brazlians write a new chapter in their history.

No one will forget Janeth, a player whose 15-year influence on the game made her the Oscar Schmidt of Brazil's Women basketball. Then there was the talented 2m center Alessandra, and the beautiful, long-range shooting stroke of Helen. The three pillars of the National Team helped the South American giants capture gold at the 1994 FIBA World Championship, silver at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, bronze at the Sydney Games four years later and fourth-place at both Athens 2004 and the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Brazil. How important was this trio to the `Auriverde'? In that last tournament, which was played in Brazil, the magical trio combined for more than 35 points and 17 rebounds per game - almost half of the team's total output. So with their international retirements, it's only natural to think Brazil will struggle to retain its lofty FIBA ranking as the world number four.

The first result for newly-installed coach Paulo Bassul, the successor to long-time boss Carlos Barbosa, was a disappointing third place at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship in Chile. Brazil suffered an unexpected semi-final defeat to Cuba. However, that Brazilian team was not at full strength with Erika de Souza, Adrianinha and Kelly Santos all unavailable. The only WNBA player present in Chile was Iziane Castro and she played well to underline her status as the leader of the national side. A world class player who can run onto the floor as a shooting guard or small forward, Iziane was the main offensive threat of the Seleçao. Point guard 'Claudinha', who had been out of the Brazil team since 2002, returned to the set-up in Chile. 'Micaela' and 'Chuca' on the wings and 'Mama' in the paint were the other main pieces of the squad. Fresh names on the new list include Natália Burian, a small and energetic point guard, and power forward Karina Jacob - both from Catanduva, the vice-champions of the Brazilian League. Jaqueline Silvestre, a forward from the Under-21 National Team, has also been promoted.

The team at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Madrid should be stronger with the addition of Adrianinha, a scoring point-guard, and the two big bodies of Erika De Souza and Kelly Santos. This trio has already played in the WNBA and taken part in past international campaigns of the Seleçao. After the departures of the big names in Brazilian basketball, each will have increased responsibilities. Karla Costa, an Olympian from Athens who also played last summer, has recovered from a right knee injury. "We have a group conformed of talented players who wil be fully focused on achieving our aims," she warned.

One disadvantage for Bassul in the build-up to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament was that his leading players' involvement with their clubs prevented them from joining the team's preparations. WNBA commitments kept the likes of Erika and Iziane from taking part in the first phase of the program, which included the South American Championship in Ecuador from May 23 to May 29.

Despite the disruptions, Brazil are optimistic heading to the Spanish capital where they will attempt to win one of five qualifying places for the Beijing Games. They have a lot of size and strength in the paint. The interior should be an advantage for Brazil with five centers more than 1.90m in height. The team also possesses great athleticism and speed, true defensive specialists that it lacked in the past.

In Madrid, the confrontation against group opponents Spain promises to be exciting. While the result of this game will not be decisive for the qualification, the quarter-final will be and knowing that the opponents might be named Cuba, revenge will be in the air!

How did they qualify?

2007 FIBA Americas Championship, Final Round
3rd place (4 W - 1 L)

Results

1st round
Sept-26th 2007    Brazil b. Argentina    72-62
Sept-27th 2007    Brazil b. Chile    104-60
Sept-28th 2007    Brazil b. Mexico    119-44

Semi-final
Sept-29th 2007    Cuba b. Brazil     69-67

Third-Place
Sept-30th 2007    Brazil b. Argentina    73-41