Basketball Australia has confirmed that the Australian Jayco Opals women’s national team will face just the sort of stiff competition they need in the final lead-up to London following the announcement of the Brazilian team that will take part in The Farewell Series in Victoria starting on 24 June.

Brazil are ranked sixth in the world by basketball’s international governing body FIBA, and the Brazilian Basketball Confederation will be bringing a full strength squad to take on the Jayco Opals in The Farewell Series.

The Brazilian travelling party of 12 players will be led by well-known WNBA star Erika De Souza of the Atlanta Dream.  De Souza has previously been selected as a WNBA All-Star and averaged 16.6 points and 12.0 rebounds per game during Brazil’s 2010 FIBA World Championship campaign.

Veteran small forward Iziane Castro-Marques, who starred in the WNBA for the Atlanta Dream for a number of seasons, has also been named to the team, as has teenage sensation Damiris Dantas.

Brazil qualified for London last year by winning 2011 FIBA Americas Championship with a perfect 6-0 record.  The South Americans have always been one of the world’s top nations in women’s basketball and they are very much expected to be medal contenders in London.

Jayco Opals Head Coach Carrie Graf says her team will have their work cut out for them going up against such a talented team, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Given the proximity of The Farewell Series to the start of the Olympic Games, we knew Brazil would send their best players and that’s exactly what they’ve done,” said Graf.   They have some genuine stars in their line-up and we expect them to give us one heck of a series, which is exactly what we were hoping for.

“The Farewell Series against Brazil is going to be an absolutely critical part of our final preparations for London,” added Graf.  “It’s a terrific opportunity for us to test ourselves against world class opposition, as well as a chance for the people of Victoria to see us off to London.”

The Farewell Series will commence with a double-header with the Australian Boomers at Melbourne’s Hisense Arena on 24 June.  The Jayco Opals will also play Brazil at Bendigo Basketball Stadium on 26 June and the State Basketball Centre in Knox on 28 June.

The Greek team list to face the Boomers in The Farewell Series is expected to be confirmed shortly.

Tickets are now on sale for all Australian Boomers and Jayco Australian Opals games of The Farewell Series.

For more information on The Farewell Series visit: www.thefarewellseries.com.au.

Brazil Women’s Team – The Farewell Series

PLAYERS - POSITION
Adriana Moises Pinto - Guard
Clarissa Cristina Dos Santos - Centre
Damiris Dantas Do Amaral - Forward/Centre
Erika Cristina De Souza - Centre
Franciele Aparecida Do Nascimento - Forward/Centre
Iziane Castro Marques - Forward
Jaqueline De Paula Silvestre - Guard
Joice Cristina De Souza Rodrigues - Guard
Karla Cristina Martins Da Costa - Guard
Nadia Gomes Colhado Centre
Patricia De Oliveira Ferreira - Forward
Silvia Cristina Gustavo Rocha Valente - Forward

Farewell Series Schedule
Hisense Arena, Melbourne (Double Header)
Sunday June 24
Jayco Opals v Brazil – Tip Off 4:30PM
Boomers v Greece – Tip Off 7:00PM
Tickets available now through Ticketek
Phone: 132 849
Website: www.ticketek.com.au

State Basketball Centre, Knox
Monday June 25
Boomers v Greece – Tip Off 7:00PM
Tickets available now through Foxtix
Phone: 1300 111 369
Website: www.foxtix.com.au

Bendigo Basketball Stadium
Tuesday June 26
Jayco Opals v Brazil – Tip Off 7:00PM
Tickets available now through Bendigo Basketball Stadium
Phone: (03) 5440 6214
Website: www.bendigostadium.com.au

Geelong Arena
Wednesday June 27
Boomers v Greece – Tip Off 7:00PM
Tickets available now through Foxtix
Phone: 1300 111 369
Website: www.foxtix.com.au

State Basketball Centre, Knox
Thursday June 28
Jayco Opals v Brazil – Tip Off 7:00PM
Tickets available now through Foxtix
Phone: 1300 111 369
Website: www.foxtix.com.au