The Australian Women’s Under 21 Basketball Team, the Sapphires, departed Australia yesterday bound for a three game pre-World Championship tournament in Madrid, Spain.

The Sapphires will play games against China, Brazil and host nation Spain before heading to Russia on Monday, June 25 for the 2007 FIBA World Championships for Under 21 Women.

The Sapphires begin their World Championship campaign against Team USA on Friday, June 29 followed by games against Hungary on Saturday, June 30 and Spain on Sunday, July 1.

After a rest day the Sapphires will play games against Japan and Brazil to complete their pool matches.

All games will be played at the SK Vidnoje Basketball Hall, in Vidnoje Russia, 40kms from the centre of Moscow.

The Sapphires will arrive at the Sydney International Airport at 8pm AEST on Tuesday July 10.

Head Coach Gary Fox, who is also an assistant coach with World Champion defencejobs Opals and members of the team, will be available for comment during the tournament.

Sapphires World Championship schedule:

Friday, June 29 – Sapphires v Team USA

Saturday, June 30 – Sapphires v Hungary

Sunday, July 1 – Sapphires v Spain

Monday, July 2 – Competition rest day

Tuesday, July 3 – Sapphires v Japan

Wednesday, July 4 – Sapphires v Brazil

Thursday, July 5 – Competition rest day

Friday, July 6 – Competition quarter finals

Saturday, July 7 – Competition semi-finals

Sunday, July 8 – Competition finals (1-8 Playoffs)

Sapphires World Championship team and staff: