TURKEY 2014: Dominguez warns of danger for Spain ahead of Quarter-Finals

ISTANBUL (FIBA World Championship for Women) - The Quarter-Finals of the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women have arrived and while Spain are one of the favourites to advance, Silvia Dominguez has warned against complacency.

The EuroBasket Women 2013 champions have looked scintillating so far and now face China as they seek a repeat of the podium finish they achieved four years ago in the competition when they took third place.

"We have to be smart enough to control the issue against China," warned Dominguez.

"They are a team that lives very much for the outside shot, but they also have a fast and versatile game.

"Sometimes this can cost us games, because they are not the usual kind of opponents for us.

"We have to impose our style and not get comfortable.

"We must leave behind what we have done previously, as this is a different competition for us and we are starting from scratch."

China have already reached their goal of a top eight finish and so too have Canada, who return to that particular height for the first time since 1994.

Lisa Thomaidis and her team will match up against Australia, who are expected to have the upper hand, having not missed a beat since arriving in Istanbul.

However, the Opals will have to be on top form to get past a Canada team which is brimming with confidence. Much is likely to rely on how the Americas side handles the more experienced Australian duo of Erin Phillips and Penny Taylor.

Serbia will be intent on spoiling the party when they go up against the hosts, but head coach Marina Maljkovic has warned they must improve if they want to get past Turkey.

"We may have gained a place in the Quarter-Finals, but it was a very bad game against Cuba," bemoaned the play-caller.

"There were large and unacceptable errors, while we lost our 'one-on-one' duels.

"It was not the kind of defense that Serbia has to offer.

"In order to continue our positive story, we must return to the level of defense we showed in our duels with Angola and America."

The last Quarter-Final pitches the holders USA against France, in a repeat of the 2012 Olympic Final. There is also the added dimension of France having beaten the champions during their preparations.

USA head coach Geno Auriemma is simply focusing on avoiding any below-par performances which could prove costly.

"When you get to this point, into the Quarter-Finals, it's not like you can afford to lose a game, you can't afford to play poorly," he stated.

"You're looking at one bad night and you (had might as well) go home.

"So our players understand that and we'll be ready," warned Auriemma.

The Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, Classification Games (5-8), Third-Place Game and Final will all be played at Fenerbahce Arena in Istanbul.

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