By Cindy Garcia-Bennett, PA Sport

Ros Casares have undergone a drastic makeover in the summer but their aims remain unchanged.

The Spanish club wants to dominate in Spain, and as they go into the EuroLeague Women for the fifth straight season, they crave a place in the Final Four.

Is it an impossible task, considering the departures of key trio Amaya Valdemoro, Rosi Sanchez and Suzy Batkovic?

Not according to coach Israel Sanchis, or the 1,600 season-ticket holders who will support the team throughout the 2005-06 campaign.

"Our ambition is to reach the Final Four," Sanchis said to PA Sport.

"Each year that we have competed in this tournament we have taken a small step forward and this season will be no exception."

Casares narrowly missed that target last season. They beat European giants Bourges in the group stages and then defeated defending champions Valenciennes in the last 16, only to concede defeat against Russia's all-conquering Samara.

"We did well last season," said Sanchis, who took over the reins of the team in the team's third EuroLeague game following the dismissal of German coach Olaf Lange.

		Ros Casares are excited about the addition of Adrijana Knezevic

"The difference is that we now know that this team will have continuity, that the players we have now will not be leaving by the end of this campaign."

The Mediterranean outfit have had a busy summer in the transfer market after being forced to replace eight players from last season's roster.

Among the newcomers are French star Nicole Antibe, Brazilian ace Alessandra Santos and promising young Russian center Olga Podkovalnikova.

Only Spanish internationals Elisa Aguilar and Noemi Jordana are back from the team that finished runners-up in the Liga Femenina.

One player the fans will truly be anxious to support will be another member of Spain's bronze-medal winning team at the EuroBasket Women, Ana .

She is back home in her home city of Casares after an NCAA adventure with George Washington.

The Spanish forward will hope to fill the void left by the high-scoring, energetic Valdemoro, the most recognisable face in Spanish basketball in recent times.

Valdemoro has left for big-spenders Samara.

Expectations are also high regarding Serbo-Montenegrin 18-year-old Adrijana Knezevic.

She should provide plenty of offence, having averaged 18 points a game at previous club Novi Sad in Serbia & Montenegro.

"We face a season of trying to adapt to many changes," Sanchis said.

"But I think we have the most balanced team in many years.

"Of course, no coach is ever fully satisfied but I have to say that we have a good mix of youth and experience.

"But it's the group as a whole that will be the strength of this team.

"I want every player to be able to assume an important role in any given game.

"Naturally, the most veteran players will take command but I want the responsibility to be shared as much as possible on the court."

Ros Casares lost just one of their six friendlies in the pre-season but Sanchis feels his team is a little behind schedule with a heavyweight showdown against Mizo Pecs set for October 27.

"The pre-season has been very short due to the EuroBasket," said Sanchis.

"Of course this affects every team, but when you have so many new players it makes the task more difficult.

"The domestic league begins this weekend and we are not at the level that I would like the team to be in but with a lot of daily work, we will be ready for the clash against Pecs."

Sanchis knows the game against the Hungarian side will be a battle.

"Pecs have a lot of experience in the competition and the fact that they have reached the Final Four in recent years says it all," he said.

"We are in one of the most difficult groups, with defending champions Samara and with teams like Dexia Namur and USO Mondeville who have good players."

But if there's something Casares want to avoid it is another repeat of last season's campaign when they failed to win a trophy.

"In the domestic league and the Copa de la Reina, we are determined to win," said Sanchis.

"But we know it's going to be very difficult, the level of the Liga Femenina has increased a lot in the past two years."