MUNICH (Germany) - The 2024-25 EuroCup Women season is about to tip-off, with multiple clubs from across the continent ready to step onto the floor for the all-important Qualifiers. Here's a quick-fire guide to everything you need to know.
When do the Qualifiers start?
There are five spots available for the EuroCup Women Regular Season, with all 10 of the competing clubs in the Qualifiers eager to jump to the main phase of the competition.
The Qualifiers draw produced five exciting ties, with these matchups played on a home and away basis. The first meetings will take place on September 18 and 19, with the return games a week later on either Wednesday or Thursday, September 25 and 26. The full Qualifiers schedule is available, HERE.
What are the Qualifiers pairings and who might shine?
BDS Dinamo Sassari (ITA) vs PAS Giannina (GRE)
There was success for Dinamo Sassari who played in EuroCup Women last year and made the post-season. This time around they will have to work just to make it to the Regular Season.
They have handed the reins to captain Debora Carangelo to oversee the show and fellow guards Sparkle Taylor and Shaylee Gonzalez will be vital - with Croatian ace Ana-Marija Begic bringing added quality and experience in the frontcourt. That makes PAS Giannina the underdogs in this tie - but don't rule them out springing a surprise. Especially after a trio of new signings in the shape of import ballers Janika Griffith-Wallace, Jillian Archer and Kernal Desiray.
Bodrum Basketbol (TUR) vs GiroLive Panthers Osnabruck (GER)
Bodrum are the new kids on the block - not only in EuroCup Women, but at the elite level in Türkiye having previously been in the second tier. Now they have success in their sights after impressing by bringing in Serbian captain and veteran center Tina Krajisnik, Lithuanian star Laura Juskaite and Turkish baller Melis Gulcan. German club Osnabruck will play with a lot of energy and could be a surprise package. Oceane Monpierre checks in having played last year in the tournament for Angers, while Emily Lytle brings more firepower, with the retention of Brianna Rollerson also important.
BAXI Ferrol (ESP) vs O.ME.P.S. Battipaglia (ITA)
Spanish club Baxi Ferrol are looking to add to the long list of Spanish teams to have played in the Regular Season. They should be favorites after recruiting a new-look team that includes American trio Jori Davis, Mimi Collins and Moira Joiner - as well as Irish standout Claire Melia and exciting Spanish teenager, Noa Morro.
Battipaglia also have an interesting lineup, from the freshly recruited Marie Benson who brings some forward muscle, to first-time pro Unique Drake and hugely exciting 16-year-old Italian baller Francesca Baldassarre.
Universitatea Cluj (ROU) vs Iraklis Thessaloniki (GRE)
There's a sense of deja vu for Universitatea Cluj who faced a Greek side in last year's Qualifiers and were only just squeezed out against Eleftheria Moschatou. This time around they will be hoping for a very different outcome.
Iraklis Thessaloniki are ambitious and looking to write a new slice of history. They are keen to demonstrate this by getting through this Qualifiers tie and have leaned towards rookie talent in Alecia Westbrook and Kennedy Dickie who will work alongside their Greek core.
UFAB 49 (FRA) vs TFSE-MTK (HUN)
French side Angers have had a summer clearout and will field an almost completely new roster in these Qualifiers, having played during the 2023-24 Regular Season. New arrivals Ameryst Alston and Emmanuelle Tuhane will be two of the leading leading figures with playcaller Aurelie Bonnan still in situ.
Ashten Pretchel and Lauren Manis will likely be the power that drives TFSE-MTK with the Budapest-based club looking to take new steps by reaching the main phase of the competition. Franka Toth, Fanni Szabo and Janka Gyongyosi will fly the flag from a homegrown Hungarian perspective.
Where can I follow the games?
Fans will be able to follow all of the games in the Qualifiers via the official website with selected games to be streamed live on the FIBA YouTube channel.
Don't forget to follow EuroCup Women on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date and join in on the action using #EuroCupWomen. FIBA