Impressive Russia goes 7-1 in EuroBasket Women preparation games

FIBA.com photo/Armand Lenoir

World no. 11 Russia is building a strong case as one of the favorites for a podium finish in the 2017 FIBA EuroBasket Women.

Led by Dynamo Kursk's duo of teenage sensation Maria Vadeeva and naturalized guard Epiphanny Prince plus Evgenia Belyakova, Russia was able to put up an impressive 7-1 record in their preparation games for the European championship.

Russia's campaign included a sweep of the four-nation Torneo di Latina in Italy, last month, where the country defeated Hungary (79-53), Italy (65-50), and Belgium (57-48).

Against Hungary, Belyakova had 17 points, four rebounds, and three assists. She also had 13 points in the win over Italy. Vadeeva shined against Belgium where she finished with a double-double of 17 points (8-of-16 shooting) and 15 rebounds.

Italy defeated both Belgium and Hungary in the preparation tournament.

Russia went on to sweep Turkey in two meetings in Moscow. The first encounter was dominated by Russia, 69-52, with Natalya Zhedik's 13 points leading the way. Belyakova added 11 points, while Elena Kirillova had nine points including two triples.

Turkey was much more competitive in the second meeting, but came up short, 59-58. Vadeeva once again led her team with 12 points and seven boards while Belyakova chipped in 11 and eight.

FIBA.com photo/Anne Perrinet

Lastly, Russia participated in the Greece-hosted Patras tournament during the second week of June. Vadeeva averaged 16 PPG while Prince normed 15.3 PPG and 5 APG in the three-game campaign.

Russia bested Ukraine, 73-67 with Vadeeva pouring 23 points on a near-perfect 10-of-11 shooting from the field. Greece went on to end Russia's streak of undefeated games, as they held on for a 74-72 victory. Russia bounced back the next day, beating Belarus, 77-64 on the strength of 20 points from Prince.

Greece defeated Ukraine, 82-75 in the final game to sweep the Patras tournament. Evanthia Maltsi had 27 points, six rebounds, three assists, four steals, and a block. Styliani Kaltsidou contributed 21 points and nine boards.

As usual, Alina Iagupova carried Ukraine, scoring in double-digits in all of the contests. For Belarus, Connecticut Sun guard Alex Bentley averaged 17.3 PPG.

Russia is in Group D of the EuroBasket with Belgium, Latvia, and Montenegro.