EuroCup Women Preview: Group G

MUNICH (EuroCup Women 2017) – We continue our preview of the EuroCup Women 2017 Regular Season by looking into the penultimate pool of teams who are pitched into Group G.

One of the big stories in French basketball this year was the decision of Tango Bourges captain and Les Bleues legend, Celine Dumerc to move to Basket Landes. She arrived at her new home as a EuroCup Women 2016 winner and as expected, has hit the ground running to help Landes start the new LFB season in positive fashion. The presence of such a marquee player with a storied past and skills at both ends of the floor, is also complemented by the fact she is joined by the energetic Spaniard Queralt Casas who was outstanding in EuroCup Women 2016 at Nantes Reze.

It’s proving to be quite a combination and there is also decent talent elsewhere on the court with Swedish star Kalis Loyd looking to be over her injury issues and the incoming Cierra Bravard a key figure under the basket with the ever-improving Marie Milapie. Throw in the added experience of Touty Gandega and Rio Olympian Miranda Ayim who is always a leading contributor; and Landes look as if their sixth straight year in the tournament could be a fruitful one.

If Basket Landes are favourites, then Reyer Venezia might be prepared to challenge that assertion, since they look to be very impressive in terms of continuity and quality, which is manifesting itself in the Italian League.

They made a return to EuroCup Women in 2015-16 after a gap of five years and did well as they made it past the Regular Season with a 4-2 record. Once again it’s Ashleigh Fontenette who will prove to be the main source of offensive joy in the backcourt due to her scoring capabilities and she also handed out more assists than anyone else last year.

Similarly, Marie Ruzickova lays down the anchor in the paint as the leading rebounder which gives the team a great springboard for success at both ends of the floor. The big arrival comes in the shape of forward Ashley Walker, who debuted last season in EuroLeague Women with Beretta Famila Schio. There’s also likely to be ongoing positive contributions from an Italian core including Debora Carangelo and Caterina Dotto in the guard positions.

Swiss national team player Alexia Rol is also back on the roster and adds her scoring threat, while veteran Caroline Turin with her smarts and experience could be a big factor. Add in the strength inside of Bethany Doolittle who came up big in those Qualifiers and Fribourg won’t be pushovers.

The pairing of Ambrosia Anderson and German national team small forward Romy Bar is looking effective, with rising star Alix Duchet currently stepping it up in the backcourt where she will play alongside an experienced hand in Camille Aubert.

FIBA