Spanish legend Amaya Valdemoro, French ace Edwige Lawson-Wade and former Russian star Ilona Korstin were in Istanbul at the conclusion of the Basketball World Championship for Women acting as ambassadors for next year's event in Hungary and Romania.

The trio spent time signing autographs and had an ambassadors booth, where they were promoting EuroBasket Women 2015 and also the women's game in general.

"We really want to keep women's basketball events improving each and every year," said Valdemoro, who competed at the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and was part of the Spanish squad who triumphed at last year's EuroBasket tournament in France.

"As ambassadors, it's really important that we come to every FIBA (International Basketball Federation) event to promote future ones to the fans.

"Young players and also the supporters need faces to recognise and maybe this is what the ambassadors can do, since I had nobody as a role model when I was a kid - only male players.

"FIBA have been doing a really great job promoting women's basketball and all of the ambassadors want to help this trend continue.

"Even if Turkey did not get onto the podium, I actually think fourth place is an amazing achievement for them.

"They have invested a lot of money in women's basketball and the fans are passionate about supporting the team."

Amaya Valdemoro has hailed the quality of women's basketball in Europe and is urging fans to come out and support their teams at EuroBasket Women 2015 ©AFP/Getty Images



Valdemoro, who also has a silver and two bonzes from previous EuroBasket campaigns as well as a bronze from the 2010 World Championships in Czech Republic, watched her national side lose out to defending champions the United States in yesterday's final at the Fenerbache Arena in Istanbul.

With France and hosts Turkey also making the last-four of the Championships, she hopes the quality of the women's game in Europe will encourage fans to travel to Hungary and  Romania next summer to support their teams.

"I think the fans should come to see some really great players and some of the best women's teams in the world," insisted the 38-year-old.

"At EuroBasket Women 2015, we want to make the tournament an even bigger show on the court in order to give more happiness to the fans and additionally, we also want to do many big things off the court to complete the show.

"We really hope many people will choose to watch EuroBasket Women next year - hopefully at the arenas, or if not, on television."

Next year's tournament will see the 20 best teams in Europe competing for the continental title from June 11 to 28.

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