FLORENCE, Ala. (June 2, 2025) – UNA Women's Basketball Assistant Coach Sandra Abston will be making her international coaching debut this summer, with Abston set to join the coaching staff for the U18 Swedish Women's Basketball National Team.
After completing her first season with the Lions in 2024-25, Abston adds another first to her resume in the opportunity to coach for her national team. Abston joins the staff as her and the U18 Swedish National Team prep for the 2025 European Championships. The team also preps for the Nordic Championship Tournament, also scheduled for this summer.
The opportunity provides a full-circle moment for Abston, who, herself, played for the Swedish U18 National Team. She competed in U18 2009 European Championship, playing in eight games while helping lead her team to a bronze-medal finish at the tournament. Sweden defeated the Czech Republic, 67-54, to claim the third-place finish.
"It's very exciting to have the opportunity to coach the U18 national team," says Abston. "It's a homecoming for me since I played for the U18 national team myself, so to be able to coach the team now is the greatest honor. I look forward to what the championships has to offer, but I'm super excited and grateful to have the chance to coach at the international level in front of my people."
Abston also had stints with the U16 and U20 national, eventually leading to a call up to the senior team.
"It is the ultimate compliment to be asked to represent your country and help coach the next generation," said UNA Women's Basketball Head Coach Candi Whitaker. "Sandra is very deserving and will do a great job. I could not be more excited for this opportunity for her!"
Abston looks to help lead the U18 Swedish national team to a successful summer at the Nordic Championships from June 13-19 in Sweden. The European Championships concludes the summer, set to be played in Lithunia from July 4-15.
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