Eurobasket 2007, Article Fiba Europe:
Belgium return to the EuroBasket Women this summer in Italy for the first time since 2003, when they finished a best-ever sixth in Greece.A major reason for their success four years ago, and the Belgians' failure to qualify in 2005, was star center Ann Wauters.
The 26-year-old Sint-Niklaas native was the third-leading scorer (18.8 points) and second-best rebounder (11.6 per game) of the 2003 tournament while also averaging 1.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.4 blocks. Two summers later, however, Wauters suffered a stress fracture during WNBA action with the New York Liberty putting her out of the qualifiers.Belgium missed out on the EuroBasket that year. Wauters averaged 23.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.8 blocks in leading Belgium in the EuroBasket 2007 qualification tournament.
And now, the CSKA Samara star is even more dedicated to the national team, deciding against going to the WNBA after leading Samara to the Final Four of the EuroLeague Women.It's the first time she has not played in the United States since 2000. The four-time European Player of the Year took some time out of her preparations for Italy to talk to PA Sport's David Hein on behalf of FIBA Europe.
FIBA Europe: You are not playing in the WNBA this season. What was that decision was based on?
Wauters: "I decided to play for my national team this summer. It is my dream to play with my national team in the Olympics. We have to get ready for the European Championship in Italy."
FIBA Europe: This summer is another EuroBasket. After so much success at club level, how disappointing is it with the level of Belgium in Europe?
Wauters: "We have a great potential in our national team. And we have some great young players for the moment (Belgium took fifth place at the FIBA U21 World Championship in Moscow Region). But it is true that the competition in Belgium is a semi-professional league. Dexia Namur plays the EuroLeague Women every year but should have some more competition in their own Belgian league."
FIBA Europe: Your arrival in the national team in 2003 brought with it straight away the qualification for the EuroBasket. And you led Belgium to their best-ever placing - sixth. What were your feelings about that tournament?
Wauters: "I was very proud of our results in Greece. That summer, I arrived late because of my season in Korea. This summer, I will be able to do the whole preparation with my team."
FIBA Europe: How hard was it not being part of the team in 2005 and watching Belgium not qualify for 2005 EuroBasket?
Wauters: "It was very hard for me. I came back with a stress fracture from the WNBA's New York Liberty. It is always hard for an athlete to sit on the side while the team is playing."
FIBA Europe: What are the team's goals for 2007 EuroBasket in Italy?
Wauters: "Our main goal is to qualify for the Olympics. We are very motivated to achieve that goal."
FIBA Europe: What would be the most pleasant surprise in your eyes?
Wauters: "To beat France.. Haha.. I don't know, we'll see. Russia and France will be very strong this year. I have team-mates from CSKA in the Russian (Ilona Korstine, Maria Stepanova, Olga Arteshina), French (Edwige Lawson) and Spanish (Amaya Valdemoro) teams. It will be great to see them again."
FIBA Europe: How special would it be to qualify for the 2008 Olympics - or at least the final qualifying tournament?
Wauters: "That would be my dream come true!"
FIBA Europe: Belgium start their EuroBasket campaign against Lithuania, who reached the semi-finals two years ago. What are your thoughts on playing perhaps the strongest team in the group first?
Wauters: "It will be a great test from the beginning. And we have Laurent Buffard who will do his homework on our opponents."
FIBA Europe: What does Belgium need to do to beat Germany in the second game?
Wauters: "We need to be mentally prepared for the German toughness and for Linda Frölich, who is the leader of their team."
FIBA Europe: And against Romania, the team may be very familiar with the opposing coach as Marc Silvert from Dexia Namur has been named as the Romanian boss. What do you know about Silvert and how difficult will the game against the Romanians be?
Wauters: "It was Marc Silvert who brought me from Belgium to Valenciennes. He coached me for one season. Marc knows all the players and I am sure that he will be a strength for the Romanian team."
FIBA Europe: Romania and Germany each beat Belgium twice in the qualifying for 2005. Now you face them in the group. You think there will be an extra bit of motivation for the team?Wauters: "We need to be motivated and prepared for every game. We can't afford to relax and underestimate any of the teams that we will play."
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