The center's test results mean that she does not join the European Championship qualifying bubble in Crete, where the rest of the national team is now preparing for the match.

After a couple of days of fighting against the clock, she has had to throw in the towel.

- Fiba's (International Basketball Federation) rules say that it should have been a week after the positive test before you go into the bubble - even though Amanda has been symptom-free all the time, says national team manager Fredrik Joulamo to SVT Sport. 

Zahui was not available for comment from the media on Wednesday.

Regan Magarity and Kalis Loyd are already missing, it is still a big question mark for Louice Halvarsson who had symptoms but tested negative.

This quartet accounted for 41 of 77 points most recently against Israel (win a year ago by 77-40).

- They are all unhappy because they want to help to take us to the European Championships and it is certainly noticeable to lose four key players.

We assume that those who are in the bubble are the ones who will play.

says Joulamo.

Federation captain Marco Crespi now focuses on those who are in place and Sweden's defense.

The expert believes in Swedish victory anyway

- We have to play the best match we can with the twelve players we have.

But it starts with the defense.

Everyone wants to play at a high pace, but if you do not play defense, there will be no chance of running, says Crespi.

Despite the absence of the big stars, SVT Sports expert Elisabeth Egnell believes in a Swedish victory.

The team has started with two straight victories.

- It will largely be an untested team and it is important to win the return, says Egnell.

CLIP: Zahui played big when New York broke the losing streak (August 26, 2020)

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Amanda Zahui lowered Chicago Sky.

Pictures from the WNBA.

Photo: TT News Agency