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England U16 win youth international basketball tournament in Violaines
England won BC Violaines' youth international basketball tournamentThe tournament in Violaines has become a fixture on the international calendar for nations preparing their U16 national team for the Termosteps European Championships. The format of the competitions allows the coaches to access their squads as they play many games within a short period. With only eight teams this year, a number of games were arranged out of competition. Youth international basketball group stage summaryEngland had the most experienced team this year with four players returning from last year's team. They opened the competition in emphatic form as they crushed Slovenia (63-38). The Slovenians were held scoreless for 10 minutes between the first and second period and never recovered. Karen Burton, the English head coach, was made to sweat for three quarters against the selection Amies before prevailing (53-32). In their last group game England put away Matrix Magixx (63-35). Slovenia brought only two members from their squad of last year to this competition. They also have a new head coach Boštjan Kočar. He had to pick up his players after their defeat against England for their match against Matrix Magixx. The Slovenian coach succeeded as the team controlled the game to win (63-35). In their last group game the young ladies from Slovenia were given a hard test from the selection Amies in what was the most eventful match of the competition before holding out (55-50) to qualify for the semi-final. In the other group game Matrix Magixx opened the competition with a victory against the selection Amies (38-33). In the second group, Holland was the strongest team. They have a complete new coaching staff this year and only two members from last year's squad. They opened with a routine victory against Luxembourg (60-23). They had no trouble in their second game as they beat the Lithuanian club side (88-34). They also played in a friendly match in the evening against the selection Amies that they won. They finished the group phase undefeated as they also beat local club side Armentièrs (50-38). Rene Keiser, the Luxembourg head coach returned with practically the same team as last year. After a difficult start to the competition, his team picked up with victories against Armentières (62-43) and Kaunas (83-42) to take second position. They also played a friendly match against the selection Amies that they lost. Amentières beat Kaunas (69-49) in the other group match.
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Len Busch is the England division 2 women coach of the year in England. He coaches at the Sevenoaks Suns. During the tournament he spoke about his award and the three days in Violaines with the selection Amies.
He explained that he was surprised to win the England division 2 women coach award, yet he was pleased. Busch explained that the club worked hard and that they entered division 2 to give the U16 and U18 players an opportunity to play against tougher competition. Furthermore they won the Division 2 trophy which was a great achievement.
He went on to speak about his involvement in this tournament with the selection Amies:
He brought four players from England to blend in with eight French based players. It was not as difficult as expected as all girls were basketball players. One of the players spoke both languages which helped. However he caused confusion for his English players when he spoke in French and forgot to explain in English.
After the first game the team got better and better. Three friendly games were arranged in addition to the four official games which gave his players seven games in three days. You can listen to his comments in English.
The planing for 2009 edition will start in September. Provided they have the backing of the town hall and local council they will be able to raise the standard. Yet they are not ready for the participation of the French side today. But in the next three years they hope to have everything in place for that.
You may listen to his comments in French:
