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Angola | Group A
Olympic Games history: 2012 marks Angola's first appearance in the field.
Place at 2010 FIBA World Championship: Did not compete
How they got here: 2011 FIBA Africa champions
Key player: Nassecela Mauricio | Rising star: Felizarda da Conceição Jorge | Legend: Nassecela Mauricio
Statistical leaders: Sonia Guadalupe 11 ppg, Felizarda Jorge 9.3 ppg; Nassecela Mauricio 5 rpg; Catarina Camufal 1.9 apg [from 2011 FIBA Africa tournament]
Preliminary round schedule: vs. Turkey (July 28), vs. U.S. (July 30), vs. China (Aug. 1), vs. Croatia (Aug. 3), vs. Czech Republic (Aug. 5)
Details:
LUANDA (Olympics) - The people of Angola simply love their basketball and this is why a nation was left distraught when the men's team failed to live up to their top billing the FIBA Africa Championship last summer and consequently missed out gold and also automatic qualification for London.
Having lived in the shadow of the men for so long, the Angolan women's team couldn't have chosen a more perfect moment to help ease the pain of a heartbroken nation.
The ‘Gingas' shocked everyone by finishing top of the podium at the FIBA Africa Championship to capture their first title and in the process, book their spot at the Olympic Games - previously a tournament only graced by the men.