Team Profile: Are Spain ready for a renaissance?

PARIS (France) – The upcoming Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 will see Spain punching back amongst the elite for the first time since Tokyo 2020.

It’s been six years since they last shone on the global stage, taking bronze at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018, which came off the back of a first-ever Final at the previous edition in 2014 and a historic maiden Olympic Final at Rio 2016.

The wheels came off in 2021 as they missed out on the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 by only finishing 7th in Valencia at the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2021 and then a medicore 6th in Tokyo.

But are Spain really back in terms of reaching back out for a medal? Or, is an anticipated renaissance going to be put on hold?

The Roster

Spain can lean on plenty of experience, not least from the ace in their pack, Alba Torrens.

She remains an outstanding leader and you can expect her to roll back the years and produce a killer performance when needed.

Maria Conde, Leo Rodriguez and Queralt Casas are also great options in the shooting guard or small forward spots and that means as far as the wing is concerned, Spain are loaded.

The classy and energetic Maite Cazorla is likely to take primary playmaking duties, supported by Leticia Romero and Mariona Ortiz.

The frontcourt has the veteran warrior Laura Gil who will continue to extend her incredible service for her country.

She will be joined by Megan Gustafson who was the naturalized option and she arguably transforms the prospects because of her ability to be a scoring machine. Particularly with the amazing Raquel Carrera ruled out by an injury.

The Question

Is there enough in the playmaking spot?

Cazorla comes into the competition having been superb at club level and she’s a great first option.

But if she is on the bench for any reason at all and for any length of time, there is a lot fo the likes of Mariona Ortiz and Leticia Romero to prove. They have a big opportunity.

Spain’s success has been built on the toughness and production of their guards, but with Laia Palau, Silvia Dominguez and Cristina Ouvina having passed the baton, will the current crop have what it takes?

The Hope

For some people, it’s a point of contention, but there is absolutely no denying the fact that having Gustafson in the naturalized chair is an immeasurable boost for Miguel Mendez and his team.

Powerful and an offensive hammer with shooting range and always capable of going to work on the glass, the hope for Spain is that this move pays off and she will be a real difference-maker at the event.

The Fear

Conversely, being without Raquel Carrera still leaves a gap under the hoop. While all teams are generally missing someone, for a team like Spain with big ambitions, the fear is that the absence of their star forward is too much of a burden to carry.

Carrera will absolutely be back at future FIBA events and continue her stunning rise as one of the best around, but for now at least, Spain are just going to have to manage.

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