FIBA got the USA vs Spain match-up they wanted at the World Championships, but lo and behold, it was on the women's side. While USA successfully defended their championship from four years ago as largely expected, the real surprise for me was Spain. Although the Spanish women were the 2013 EuroBasket champions, and had finished third in the 2010 Worlds, they are somewhat unexpected name on the podium. As I am usually championing, it is nice to see some global diversity in competition as evidence of the increasing quality game being played around the world. In the last Worlds in '10, the top 4 teams were the USA, Czech Republic, Spain, and Belarus - compared to this year's version of top four of USA, Spain, Australia, and Turkey. Turkey hadn't even qualified for 2010, so it's great to see them perform at this high level in a short period of time, regardless of any home team lift they may have received during this tournament. Signs are good for continued competitive balance going forward. France, relative surprise winners if the Olympic silver in 2012, only finished seventh this year. And Russia, ranked third in the FIBA rankings, didn't even qualify for the Worlds this year. Although I look forward to watching the Rio 2016 Olympic tournament, where there's a good chance for a continued shakeup to the traditional top four of the USA, Australia, Brazil, and Russia, I'm guessing the real fireworks will be in the 2015 European Championship, where one sole Olympic berth will be awarded between Spain, Russia, France, Czech Republic, Turkey, and Belarus (4th pace in 2010, 8th place in 2014) and Serbia (8th place in 2014).
But they'll all likely still be looking up and at Team USA. As their performance in Turkey over the last two weeks indicates, they don't look to relinquish their top spot anytime soon. With their ninth overall World title, and their 6th from 1986, they are the class of the sport. But as head coach Geno Auriemma says, "there are some great teams, and they're getting better all the time. Although just because we are expected to win, it doesn't make it any easier." Amen.
But they'll all likely still be looking up and at Team USA. As their performance in Turkey over the last two weeks indicates, they don't look to relinquish their top spot anytime soon. With their ninth overall World title, and their 6th from 1986, they are the class of the sport. But as head coach Geno Auriemma says, "there are some great teams, and they're getting better all the time. Although just because we are expected to win, it doesn't make it any easier." Amen.
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