EuroBasket Preview: It’s time to #RaiseOurGame
GB Basketball tip off their 2019 FIBA Women’s EuroBasket campaign when they face hosts Latvia at Arena Riga tomorrow evening.
Group A will see GB face Latvia, Ukraine and Spain in Riga over the next four days. The structure of the event means only the winner progresses directly to Belgrade, with teams placed second and third entering a playoff against teams in Group B who place third and second respectively.
The squad are fully prepared for EuroBasket following an extensive preparation camp, with last Sunday’s 67-65 defeat to future opponents Spain the last of six games over the last three weeks.
Jo Leedham-Warner recognises the tournament is full of quality teams but is ready for the challenge:
“EuroBasket is huge. Just to qualify and get here, it’s so exciting. All the teams that are here are so competitive. Someone will ask about the teams to look at, and it’s everyone. Everyone is a team to look out for. It’s so competitive, and you don’t really know who will come out of the groups so yeah just to be here amongst the top 16, it’s going to be a great tournament.”
As part of the Women’s EuroBasket campaign, GB Basketball are launching the #RaiseOurGame hashtag on social media to encourage those back home to get behind the team over the next week or so. Join the conversation and share your messages of support using the hashtag on Twitter and Instagram.
A spokesperson for GB acknowledged the support received by the team and hopes to see it continue through the new hashtag:
“The squad have all noticed the levels of support being shown for them on social media. From their friends and families to clubs and young players, every message means a lot. We’re hoping the #RaiseOurGame hashtag can bring together all levels of the British Basketball family as GB begin their EuroBasket campaign tomorrow.”
Whilst the level of support for the EuroBasket campaign has been evident, it is hoped the campaign can have a longer-lasting effect by raising the profile of women’s basketball throughout the UK:
“You can see from the football World Cup in France that these major tournaments are having a fantastic effect on women’s sport across the UK. It’s an exciting summer for sport and it’s our hope that basketball can take advantage of GB playing on the biggest stage to inspire more people to support our clubs and also inspire the next generation to seek out their local team and take up the game.”
The tip off times for each came in Riga – converted to BST – are as follows. Any information regarding how to watch the games will be shared through GB Basketball’s social channels:
Latvia – June 27th – 4:30pm
Spain – June 28th – 7pm
Ukraine – June 30th – 11am