FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Courtesy of the Southern New Hampshire Athletics Communications Staff
MANCHESTER, N.H. – Sophomore-to-be Natasa Koniali of the Southern New Hampshire University women’s basketball team will represent her home country this month as she has been selected to the Greece Under-20 National Team that will compete at the FIBA U20 European Championship from July 3-13 in Udine, Italy.
A total of 16 countries are competing, with Greece opening up Thursday against Latvia.
“It is a great honor for me to be a member of the Greek U20 National Team. I am also really proud and excited that I get to do it while representing the school as well,” said Koniali. “This is a great opportunity to exhibit the work the coaches have been doing with me throughout the season, in a competitive environment, while playing for my country and my team.”
Koniali, a 6-1 guard/forward, appeared in 13 games for Southern New Hampshire as a freshman in the 2013-14 season, recording a season-high six points against Pace University on January 14.
Spain has captured the last three FIBA European U20 championships. Greece finished ninth in the 16-team field last season after qualifying for the first time since 2008.
“The whole team has been working hard for the past month under coach George Velissarakos in order to be ready to compete. We are facing a big challenge as we are playing against some of the most powerful teams in Europe such as Spain and France. It is not going to be an easy task, but we will try our best,” said Koniali. “For my part, I will be showing my Greek and Penmen pride throughout the tournament!”
To follow the 2014 FIBA U20 European Championship, visit the tournament home page at http://u20women.fibaeurope.com/en/default.asp.
– #NE10 –
Natasa Koniali to Play for Greek National U-20 Women's Basketball Team http://t.co/gE0tYLPzMZ #Penmen #NE10 #NCAAD2 pic.twitter.com/FaE4BM6riJ
— SNHU Athletics (@snhupenmen) July 3, 2014
