‘We’re not done yet’ – GB up for Olympic mission

Hannah Shaw believes there is more to come from her bullish Great Britain Women team-mates, saying: “I don’t think we are done yet.”

Coach Chema Buceta’s side went beyond expectations to finish fourth at summer’s Women’s EuroBasket.

That performance – the best-ever by a senior male or female GB team – earned them a place in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

They head to China in February to take on the host country as well as Spain and Korea in a four-team group from which three will head to Toyko 2020.

It will be another test for this battled-hardened group and Stockport-born Shaw is in upbeat mood.

“This is a really big deal,” she said. “It’s very exciting for the group.

“We could have gone to one of three European cities for our qualifying tournament but we’re heading to the one in China.

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“We were prepared for that and everyone is positive. The Chinese love basketball and it will be an experience but the team will go there with the same attitude as usual and go to get it done.

“We surprised a few people at EuroBasket in the summer but I don’t know if we’ll be as much of a surprise this time – and we shouldn’t be because we are a very good team.

“If people don’t want to put that pressure on us that’s fine but we will put the pressure on ourselves to be successful and go into it with a positive attitude.”

Centre Shaw, who plays for Sarcedo in Italy and starred previously for Manchester Mystics, says the team’s togetherness and the role of veteran Spanish coach Buceta are among their key strengths.

“The backbone of the squad has been together a long time and there is a lot of leadership and expertise there,” she added.

“I don’t think there is another coach around who could have got so much out of this group as him. It’s about mutual respect and trust.

“I don’t think we’re done yet.”

Buceta will select his squad for the trip to China early in the New Year.