Game of the Week: Who will make history - Valencia or Virtus?

VALENCIA (Spain) - A slice of history awaits Valencia Basket Club or Virtus Segafredo Bologna in the opening Game of the Week of the new campaign as the Regular Season rookies look for a first-ever win.

After eyeing up the 2021-22 campaign, Valencia fell short in last season's Qualifiers, so will be hoping the extended wait will be worthwhile. A similarly ambitious Virtus are ready to spoil the Spanish fiesta and make the most of an under-cooked Valencia having to cope so far with big-hitters like Alba Torrens, Cristina Ouvina and Bec Allen out injured.

You can watch the live broadcast of the game between Valencia and Virtus on the  EuroLeague Women YouTube channel on Wednesday, October 26 at 20:00 CET.

Form guide: Valencia have had a mixed start to the domestic season after losing to fellow EuroLeague Women sides Spar Girona and Perfumerias Avenida, but winning two other games to move to 2-2. Meanwhile Virtus are 4-1 in the Italian League, only suffering a narrow loss to archrivals Beretta Famila Schio.

Last meeting: This is a EuroLeague Women game without a history as both teams meet for the first time in the competition.

Will Queralt Casas be the difference for Valencia?

Key matchup: Queralt Casas always brings the energy for Valencia and she will need to not only lead the way in this respect, but may also be tasked with trying to slow down Kitija Laksa. Both are pivotal on the wings and the defense of Casas will be vital. Meanwhile Laksa was a constant factor for Schio last year and the Latvian is capable of taking games away from opponents in a hurry with her outside shooting.

X-factor: The three-point shooting could be the real key to this game, since Bologna are not shy in letting it fly and have sunk an eye-catching 40 percent from downtown so far this season. Meanwhile Valencia have only allowed their opponents to score 23.1 percent of their long-range attempts since the new campaign tipped off.

Wednesday, October 26

Group A
ZVVZ USK Praha v Atomeromu KSC Szekszard - 19:00 CET
BC Polkowice v Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding - 19:00 CET
Tango Bourges Basket v Olympiacos S.F.P - 20:00 CET

Group B
Basket Landes v Spar Girona - 19:30 CET
Perfumerias Avenida v CBK Mersin Yenisehir Bld - 20:30 CET

Thursday, October 27

Group B
Beretta Famila Schio v DVTK Hun-Therm - 19:30 CET
Kangoeroes Mechelen v Sopron Basket - 20:30 CET

FIBA