Game of the Week: Will Avenida and UMMC serve up another blockbuster?

SALAMANCA (Spain) - A titanic battle is set for Tuesday night as 2021 EuroLeague Women Finalists Perfumerias Avenida and UMMC Ekaterinburg lock horns at the top of Group A.

Having served up a treat in their first meeting earlier in the season in what was their first clash since the 2021 Final of the competition, there is plenty on the line, even if both clubs are safely into the Quarter-Finals.

UMMC Ekaterinburg touch down in Salamanca with a perfect 12-0 record and still on course for a flawless Regullar Season campaign, but will be aware that they have lost at Pabellon Wurzburg previously in recent memory.

Avenida meanwhile were far from their best last week as they scraped at overtime victory at the still winless KSC Szekszard, but always look a different proposition on their home floor. 

he live broadcast of the game between Perfumerias Avenida and UMMC Ekaterinburg will be freely available on the EuroLeague Women YouTube channel, as well as on Facebook, at 20:30 CET on Tuesday, February 1.

Form guide: Avenida are second in Group A with a 10-2 record, having gone undefeated on their own court all season. In Liga Femenina they are 14-1 and proudly sit top of the standings. UMMC Ekaterinburg have not lost all season in EuroLeague Women and the Russian Premier League.

Last meeting: It was an absolute shootout earlier in the campaign when UMMC outlasted Avenida 110-102, thanks mainly to Jonquel Jones who came up with 27 points and 10 boards. Kahleah Copper also erupted in defeat with a mammoth 34 points.

Emese Hof will need to stand up strong in the paint for Avenida

Key matchup: Emese Hof of Avenida will likely be tasked as the player with primary responsibility for slowing down a combination of Jonquel Jones and Brittney Griner. That is tough, especially after Jones was unstoppable in the first clash on Russian soil.

X-factor:  Defensive pressure from Avenida was impressive in the last game against UMMC and it resulted in the reigning champions spilling the ball no fewer than 20 times. While very difficult to replicate, something similar would be hugely advantageous and, combined with a ferociously vocal home crowd, Avenida could turn up the heat. Will UMMC deal with it or slip to a first EuroLeague Women loss? Remember, their only defeat all season came in Spain when they went down to Valencia BC in the SuperCup Women Final.

Tuesday, February 1

Group A
 Umana Reyer Venezia v ZVVZ USK Praha - 20:30 CET

Wednesday, February 2

Group B
Dynamo Kursk v Fenerbahce Safiport  - 16:00 CET
VBW Arka Gdynia v Spar Girona - 18:00 CET
Galatasaray v Beretta Famila Schio 18:00 CET
Basket Landes v Sopron Basket - 19:30 CET

 

FIBA