Bulldogs to play preseason tour in Europe

FRESNO, Calif. – After four years in the making, the Fresno State women's basketball team will head to Europe for its foreign tour where it will play three games in three different countries during its 11-day trip from Aug. 4-14. The tour will give the team a mix of both basketball and the cultural experience of visiting other countries.

The trip comes at an opportune time for the Bulldogs as they return nearly all of their minutes from a season ago. Fresno State will make stops in Como (Italy), Geneva (Switzerland) and Paris (France). The team will also venture to nearby cities and play its three games in Sarrano (Italy), Bernex (Switzerland) and Franconville (France).

As allotted by the NCAA, the Bulldogs were allowed 10 practices throughout the month leading up to departing on Aug. 4. The practices have given the 'Dogs ample time to prepare for its three games against the Serbia All-Stars, Lion de Carouge and Paris All-Stars.

"The games allow us to see our schemes early," White said. "We have everybody back so we don't see that there would be too much teaching or changing right now but it does help us to see how those incoming kids will play with the team. It does help us see what the future brings us in starting our season this year."

The Bulldogs will spend their first day in the air as they travel 18 hours across nine time zones before arriving in Milan on Aug. 5. After spending a few hours touring the Piazza del Duomo, the team will head north to Como. After playing its first game of the tour the following day against Serbia All-Stars, the 'Dogs will take a boat trip on Lake Como to Bellagio.

On Aug. 8, the Bulldogs will depart Como for Geneva where players will participate in a scavenger hunt in the city during the evening. The 'Dogs will travel to Saléve Mountain the following morning before playing their second game of the trip against Lion de Carouge during that night. A boat trip to Yvoire, France and a ferry ride across to Nyon, Switzerland will conclude the three-day stay.

Fresno State will board a train to Paris on Aug. 11. Once there, the team will go on a bike tour throughout the city. The Bulldogs will visit the Louvre Museum the next morning before playing its final game of the tour during the evening against Paris All-Stars. The game will be followed by a trip to see the night lights at the Eiffel Tower. The 'Dogs will return to the French landmark the next day for a tour before ending their time in Champs-Elyéss.

The Bulldogs will return to the United States on Aug. 14.

"I think this time more than last time, it's about seeing other people have that experience," White said of her experience in 2014 compared to this year's foreign tour. "It's so unique to see our players grow right then and there. I think that will be very visible."

European Players
Four Fresno State players have hailed Europe, which includes the recent addition of Lydia Friberg (Sweden). All four have come from different countries—Denmark, France, Norway and Sweden. The Bulldogs' first European player was Yannick Souvré. The French national team player came to Fresno State from Tournefeuille in 1989. She held the program's single-game scoring record (36) for nearly 30 years until it was broken this year.

European Trip Itinerary
Saturday, Aug. 4 - Depart United States
Sunday, Aug. 5 – Arrive in Milan, Italy; tour Duomo Cathedral and Royal Palace
Monday, Aug. 6 - Game 1 vs. Serbia All-Stars
Tuesday, Aug. 7 – Boat trip to Bellagio
Wednesday, Aug. 8 – Depart Milan for Geneva, Switzerland; team scavenger hunt
Thursday, Aug. 9 – Visit Saléve Mountain; Game 2 vs. Lion de Carouge
Friday, Aug. 10 – Sightseeing in Yvoire, France and Nyon, Switzerland
Saturday, Aug. 11 – Depart Geneva for Paris, France; bike tour of Paris
Sunday, Aug. 12 – Visit the Louvre Museum; Game 3 vs. Paris All-Stars
Monday, Aug. 13 – Tour the Eiffel Tower; visit Champs-Elysée
Tuesday, Aug. 14 – Depart Paris for United States

"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.

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Bulldogs to play preseason tour in Europe

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