Eight players to watch in the EuroCup Women Qualifiers

MUNICH (EuroCup Women) - The EuroCup Women Qualifiers are about to tip off and there are plenty of players to add to your watch-list as the curtain is raised on a brand new season.

Here is just a few of the names we will be looking out for during coming weeks, as a number of clubs go into battle in pursuit of a precious Regular Season slot.

Marie Ruzickova - Orman Genclik

It will feel a little strange to see the Slovak Republic center not wearing the Reyer Venezia uniform this season, since she has played for the Italian club for the last four campaigns. She made the Final of EuroCup Women last year, with Venezia falling at the last hurdle to Galatasaray. Ruzickova is now playing in Turkey with the ambitious Orman Genclik, and her experience and proven capabilities in this competition gives them a very nice anchor in the paint.

Emma Cannon - Arka Gdynia 

After playing in both EuroLeague and EuroCup Women last season for Nadezhda, the forward has made the switch from Russia to Poland in a bid to spearhead Gdynia's challenge. Her strength and scoring potential will be important, with Cannon having also played previously for TSV 1880 Wasserburg and Chevakata. 

Valeriya Berezhynska - Lointek Gernika Bizkaia

The classy and experienced Ukraine national team forward has played impressively for the past three years with French side Flammes Carolo Basket and has jumped over the border into Spain - swapping Charleville for Gernika. Last year was their first in the competition and was challenging, so they will be hoping the arrival of Berezhynska will help them firstly reach the Regular Season again, then improve on last season's efforts. 

 Elena Tsineke - Niki Lefkada 

It's great to see a new club entering EuroCup Women and despite some challenges, the Greek islanders are looking to make a splash on their debut. Not least, one of the brightest prospects in the Greek women's game. There is a real buzz around Tsinke, who has been outstanding at youth level for her country and now tipped to become a senior regular in these next few years. She can score and is an all-rounder so we can't wait to see how she does in her first EuroCup Women season.

Bec Allen - Arka Gdynia

Fresh from making the Final of the recent FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Tenerife with the Opals, Allen has been in excellent form and could be a real difference-maker for Gdynia. Especially since their tie with Ormanspor looks like it might be the most competitive of the Qualifiers. The Polish side will need her forward skills and for the Australian to show why she is a WNBA player. 

 Liege Panthers - Eva Hambursin

As Liege Panthers dip their toes in EuroCup Women waters, our eyes will be on the exciting shooting and playmaking skills of Hambursin who stood out for Belgium at the FIBA U18 Women's European Championship in Udine this past summer. She was one of the players who was an unsung hero of the event and helped her team punch a ticket to the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2019 in Thailand. Can she show it at this level in her first EuroCup Women season? We can't wait to find out. 

Britney Jones - Namur

Having stepped out in EuroLeague Women last year at Castors Braine, the guard is remaining in Belgium at Namur and will be returning to EuroCup Women. Jones will be hoping she can turn on the offensive tap like in 2015-16 when she erupted for more than 17 points per game with Chevakata. 

Kahleah Copper - Orman Genclik

Prolific in EuroCup Women last season, our last pick to watch was the tournament's leading scorer in 2017-18 and the only player to amass more than 20 points per game. She will be the main thrust of the Orman Genclik offense and having starred for Gdynia, she will now be the main threat to her ex-employers.

FIBA