The Armenia U18 women’s basketball team launches at the 2016 FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship Division C. The Armenian team led by the head coach, Vahagn Harutyunyan, is already in Georgia. In an interview with the ANOC press service the coach spoke about their opponents and chances.

-Mr. Harutyunyan, what preparatory phase did you have?

- The Armenia U18 women’s basketball team had a 13-day training camp in Yerevan before the 2016 FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship Division C. Besides, they spent two friendlies which helped them to get ready for this championship. Our main line-up, 8 basketball players, is from Yerevan, 4 players who play abroad and are rather experienced, have been invited from Syria and Russia.

-Has this team got an experience of playing together?

-Yes, it has. Last year it placed second at the U16 European Championship. They have and an experience of playing together.

-The team will play the first game against Andorra. How well do you know their play style?

-Last year when we were taking part in the championship we competed with them. We know each other’s play style. But then we were 17 and didn’t have our 4 players. According to our information Andorra’s team also has 4 new players but it doesn’t bother us.

-And what about the Welsh team which you are going to face in the second game?

-We met the team in the canteen a short while ago. We know half the team. Its players are taller than we, their average height is 1, 75 cm. Unfortunately, we don’t manage to find any video of their games as last year. Last time we won with a difference of 30 points.

-Mr. Harutyunyan, speaking realistically, what are our odds in this championship?

- The least thing we must do is qualify for the final and that is our goal. But we should understand that reaching the final we will most likely compete against the Georgian team. And I don’t consider it a coincidence that the championship is being held in Georgia.

ANOC press service