March 5, 2006 • Sopron, Hungary

Together Again Sue Bird (clockwise from left), Swin Cash, Diana Taurasi and Katie Smith return to the court on Monday for the first time after winning the 2004 Olympic gold medal. (Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images)

Following four days of training in Sopron, Hungary, the 2006 USA Basketball Women's National Team's first European Tour squad is ready to take on 2006 EuroLeague quarterfinalist MKB Euroleasing Sopron on March 6. Using the tour to evaluate players and prepare for the 2006 FIBA World Championship, the teams square off at 6:30 p.m. (12:30 p.m. ET) in Sopron.

A USA National Team familiar face will be seen in Nikki Teasley when the U.S. goes up against the Sopron squad. Teasley averaged 15.3 ppg. while playing in all 14 EuroLeague games for Sopron this season.

Sopron finished the EuroLeague Qualification Round with a 5-5 slate and a fourth place finish in Group B. Advancing to the Eighth Final playoffs, Sopron defeated UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Eighth Finals before being knocked out of the quarterfinals by USVO of France.

Leading the way for Sopron this season was 6-3 forward/center Réka Cserny (14.9 ppg., 5.9 rpg., 1.6 apg.), followed by 6-0 forward Andrea Károlyi (15.3 ppg., 3.4 rpg., 2.6 apg.) and 6-5 center Ivana Matovic (14.5 ppg., 4.6 rpg., 1.5 apg.).

Following Monday's game in Sopron, the U.S. squad will travel to Gdynia, Poland, for a pair of contests against Lotos Gdynia on March 8 and 9.

Headed by four-time Olympic team member and Seattle Storm head coach Anne Donovan, the U.S. roster is highlighted by five Olympic gold medalists, including 2000 and 2004 Olympian Katie Smith (Detroit Shock), 2000 Olympian DeLisha Milton-Jones (Washington Mystics), and 2004 Olympic champs Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Swin Cash (Detroit Shock) and Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury).

The USA's first European Tour roster also features eight other USA Basketball and internationally experienced athletes, including 2003 FIBA World Championship for Young Women gold medalist Alana Beard (Washington Mystics), who also captured bronze at the 2001 FIBA Junior World Championship and was named to the five-member All-World Championship Team at both events; 2002 World Championship for Young Women Qualifying Tournament gold medalist Kara Braxton (Detroit Shock); 1998 R. William Jones Cup gold medalist Becky Hammon (New York Liberty); Kara Lawson (Sacramento Monarchs), who won a gold medal at the 2001 World University Games and bronze at the 1998 World Youth Games; 2003 FIBA World Championship for Young Women gold medalist Kristen Mann (Minnesota Lynx); 1995 U.S. Olympic Festival participant Chasity Melvin (Washington Mystics); 2003 FIBA World Championship for Young Women and 2002 World Championship for Young Women Qualifying Tournament gold medalist Nicole Ohlde (Minnesota Lynx); and Nicole Powell (Sacramento Monarchs), who won a silver medal at the 2003 Pan American Games and a bronze medal at the 2001 FIBA Junior World Championship.

Donovan is being assisted on the sidelines in Europe by 2006 USA World Championship assistant and WNBA Connecticut Sun head coach Mike Thibault, the only coach known to have served as a coach for a USA Basketball men's and women's team.