Elena Buenavida Named to Spain’s World Cup Squad, Ending 21-Year Wait for Tenerife Player

Elena Buenavida has reached a major milestone in her basketball career. Head coach Miguel Méndez has confirmed that the Tenerife-born player will be part of the 12-member Spanish squad competing in the World Cup in Berlin, which begins this Friday, August 4. This selection follows her impressive season with Valencia Basket and her role in winning a silver medal at the recent Eurobasket, cementing her status as a vital part of the national team’s future.

For Canarian sports, Buenavida’s inclusion marks a significant generational shift. She becomes only the fourth player from Tenerife to compete in a World Cup. The island’s history in the tournament began with Myriam Henningsen in 1994, followed by Nieves Anula in 1998. Notably, the 1998 tournament was held at the Max-Schmeling-Halle—the same venue where Buenavida will make her debut against Germany, closing a symbolic 28-year circle.

The list of Tenerife’s World Cup representatives also includes Lidia Mirchandani, who played in the 2002 tournament in China. Her appearance marked the last time a player from the island competed on this stage, ending a drought that has lasted over two decades.

At just 22, Buenavida’s rise is a testament to her hard work and development through the youth ranks. Her selection is a reward for her strong performance during the team's preparation matches and signals that she is now a mainstay of the senior squad. As she prepares for her debut in Berlin, there is a clear sense that this will be the first of many appearances for her on the world stage.