The Spanish women’s national basketball team heading to the Palacio de los Deportes in Oviedo to face the Czech Republic on November 10 features the most Asturian roster in the program’s history. Head coach Miguel Méndez included two regional talents, Oviedo natives Iyana Martín and Marta Suárez, in his 14-player selection for the opening window of the EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers.
Oviedo Homecoming for Martín and Suárez
Martín, a point guard for Spar Girona, enters the camp recovering from a hand injury, though team staff expect her to be ready for game action. Suárez joins the senior squad following her return to domestic club competition with Valencia Basket after finishing her stint with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. Both players share history from the WNBA draft, where Martín went No. 7 overall to the Portland Fire—though she has yet to debut—and Suárez went No. 16 to the Seattle Storm before a trade to the Golden State Valkyries, who subsequently waived her prior to her move to Valencia.
Ten-Day Qualifying Schedule Across Three Countries
Spain opens its continental qualification slate at home before embarking on a rigorous road trip. The squad plays the Czech Republic on November 10 in Oviedo, then travels to face Bulgaria on November 14 and Croatia on November 17. Méndez’s roster features six changes from the team that claimed a bronze medal at the World Cup in Berlin last September. Returnees include Aina Ayuso, Andrea Vilaró, Irati Etxarri, and María Araújo—all silver medalists at the 2025 European Championship—alongside Hozono Global Jairis guard Txell Alarcón, who participated in summer training camp.
Roster Continuity Amid Key Absences
“Estoy seguro de que con estas 14 jugadoras volveremos a hacer el mejor equipo posible y que sacaremos adelante estos partidos con victorias, son muy importantes porque nos permitirán clasificarnos para el Eurobasket del próximo verano,” Méndez said through the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB). The roster misses four key contributors from the World Cup: Awa Fam, María Conde, Alicia Flórez, and naturalized American Megan Gustafson. Méndez described the selection as a continuation-focused group while noting that several players remain unavailable due to lack of personal availability, leaving the door open for future winter and summer windows. Alba Torrens leads the squad, holding 233 international appearances.
Worth a look
