Game of the Week: Will Bourges stop the table-topping Polkowice?

BOURGES (France) - Surprise package BC Polkowice will look to extend their flying start to the new EuroLeague Women season when they hit the floor for what will be a big challenge at Tango Bourges Basket. 

The Polish club sit proudly at the top of Group A and if they do manage to pull off a win to make it five wins in six games, would they be considered as genuine Final Four contenders?

It would be an intriguing question if it does arise, since they came into the campaign as underdogs. However, actually getting a win against this Bourges team will be difficult. They are relentless defensively and have the chance to pull level with their rivals on a 4-2 record if they can lock down Polkowice.

You can watch the live broadcast of the game between Tango Bourges Basket and BC Polkowice on the EuroLeague Women YouTube channel on Wednesday, December 14 at 20:00 CET.

Form guide: Tango Bourges Basket are fourth in Group A with a 3-2 record. In the French league they are in fourth spot with a 4-1 record and head into this game off the back of a 72-57 success against Flammes Carolo Basket. BC Polkowice have a 4-1 record and in the Polish league they are in third place with seven wins and two losses.

Last meeting: It's approaching four years since these clubs last faced each other in the competition and it ended up with a 76-65 home win for Bourges. Only Elodie Godin and Sarah Michel are still in situ for the hosts, while only Weronika Gajda played in that game from a Polkowice perspective. The Polish club have only ever beaten Bourges once in their previous six meetings and have never won at Le Prado.

Erica Wheeler is back in the BC Polkowice backcourt after recently signing for the club

Key matchup: The return of Erica Wheeler to the Polkowice backcourt for last week's game and that impressive win against Valencia Basket Club was a very interesting move. Now she is likely to go up against Yvonne Anderson, who arguably produced her best game so far in a Bourges vest with 23 points last week against KSC Szekszard. Although interestingly, when it comes to guards, Bourges have more options, albeit less experienced, with Alix Duchet and rising star Pauline Astier to call upon.

X-factor: The most significant difference between these teams is the three-point shooting accuracy. Bourges have struggled and made just 24.7 percent from downtown so far this season and nobody has made fewer. It's been a case of Polkowice being red hot from long-range and they have sunk 40.6 percent, which is the second best in the competition. Bourges will likely focus on that perimeter defense in this contest!

Wednesday, December 14