What awaits in the Round of 16?

MUNICH (Germany) - As the Round of 16 swings into action, it feels like the business end of EuroCup Women is coming rapidly into focus.

Here's our look at some of the things to look out for as we dip into this next phase of the competition.

It’s Temi-Time again

 
There have been plenty of impactful player moves within the competition during these past few weeks and none more so than that of FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 All-Star Five member Temi Fagbenle. She started the campaign with Botas SK but is linking up with her Great Britain colleague Karlie Samuelson at Perfumerias Avenida. The Spanish side were a frontrunner before they signed the center, so this gives them what looks to be an incredible boost in their quest to take the title back to Pabellon Wurzburg.

A welcome relief from domestic duties?

Some of the clubs involved at this stage have saved their best basketball of the season for the competition and will continue to welcome the distraction from domestic struggles. Curiously, Hatay (5-8), Carolo Basket (4-7) and WBC Enisey (5-6) are all fourth from bottom of their respective leagues in Turkey, France and Russia respectively. 

All eyes on this one?

 
There are some super match-ups to look forward to, but Orman Genclik against Olympiacos looks like it could be the tie to watch. Both look capable of a tilt at the title and while Orman were looking like the much stronger outfit with players such as Arike Ogunbowale, Jo Leedham and Courtney Paris, the way that Olympiacos took down Aluinvent Miskolc shows they have great momentum. Especially with winger Jacki Gemelos still looking unstoppable and rolling back the years with some classic displays, while Jessica Thomas is heating up too. 

Teamwork makes the dream work​

While the competition is stacked with some incredible individual talent, it is noticeable that those teams who have also shared the bell well have landed in the Round of 16. Indeed the top six teams from the assists leaderboard in MBA Moscow (25.5), Orman Genclik (24.2), Carolo Basket (23.8), Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje (23), Valencia Basket (21.5) and CCC Polkowice (21) are all looking to take another step towards the EuroCup Women podium.

Still only one former champion involved

Yes, there is still only a solitary former EuroCup Women winner involved in the shape of Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje. Although when the EuroLeague Women teams parachute into the tournament further down the line, this number could change if the tournament welcomes Nadezhda (the current champions), Bourges Basket, Dynamo Kursk or Famila Schio.

 FIBA