Spain Women’s Basketball Coach Announces Roster for EuroBasket Qualifiers

Spain head coach Miguel Méndez has announced a 14-player roster for the upcoming 2027 EuroBasket qualifying matches, retaining eight members of the squad that secured a bronze medal at the World Cup in Berlin last September.

Key Takeaways

• Roster stability: Eight of the 12 players who won bronze in Berlin return for these qualifiers.
• Team leadership: Iyana Martín, who was named to the World Cup All-Star Five, headlines the selection.
• New additions: Marta Suárez is set to make her debut with the senior national team.
• Notable absences: Awa Fam, María Conde, Megan Gustafson, and Alicia Flórez are unavailable following their WNBA commitments.
• Squad size: The coach has selected a total of 14 players for the upcoming international window.

Returning Talent and New Faces

The squad features a blend of veteran experience and emerging talent. Alongside Martín, who currently plays for Spar Girona, the roster includes bronze medalists Alba Torrens, Elena Buenavida, Raquel Carrera, Maite Cazorla, Paula Ginzo, Mariona Ortiz, and Helena Pueyo. Méndez has also called up Txell Alarcón, María Araújo, Aina Ayuso, Irati Etxarri, and Andrea Vilaró to complete the group.

The team is preparing for the qualification cycle leading toward the 2027 European Championship. The selection process comes as players manage busy schedules, including transitions from WNBA seasons.

Personnel Adjustments

The absence of four players from the Berlin roster—Fam, Conde, Gustafson, and Flórez—is attributed to their current lack of availability. According to the federation, these players did not confirm their participation following their professional obligations in the WNBA. The coaching staff will rely on the depth of the current 14-player group to navigate the upcoming qualifying games.

Why it matters: This roster announcement highlights the challenges international teams face in balancing domestic and professional league schedules. For fans, the continuity of the core group that secured a World Cup medal suggests a strategic focus on maintaining momentum toward the 2027 European Championship, despite the unavailability of key individual players.