June 30, 2009 : Women Eurobasket: Silver for Russia

The EuroBasket Women ended Saturday in Latvia, unfortunately on the victory of France against Russia 57-53.

After a bad start, Russia losing by 19 pts, Ilona and her partners were able to return, return, with several balls to tie the match, but they finally lost for 4 points .... The defeat in the preliminary group has had a major consequence, sending Russian to play Latvia at home (victory after extra time) and Spain in semi-final (which was one of the EuroBasket favorite), and the Russians left a lot of energy in this part of the draw, energy that has failed in the final, also against a very good French team ....

For the fifth time, Russia has reached the finals, which shows a beautiful regularity. After her 2 bronze medals at the Olympic Games, 2 silver medals at the World Championships, Ilona obtains a silver medal, the third in EuroBasket (plus 2 gold !)...

Russia will now turn to the 2010 World Championships to be held in the Czech Republic. We will have to see the Russian selection at its maximum to reach one of the first three places, but the great potential player permits to focus on that goal...

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