MUNICH (Germany) - As the curtain prepares to be raised on another EuroCup Women Regular Season, it's time to check out the 48 teams starting the race and the groups they've all been pitched into.
Who are the favorites, the underdogs, what is the key match-up and who are the players most likely to shine? We've got it all covered for you in our preview.
Group A
AEL Limassol (CYP), Levhartice Chomutov (CZE), InvestInTheWest Enea Gorzow (POL), LDLC ASVEL Feminin (FRA)
The favorite: LDLC ASVEL Feminin (FRA) Key matchup: Levhartice Chomutov (CZE) vs InvestInTheWest Enea Gorzow (POL) The underdog: AEL Limassol (CYP) The star: Dominique Malonga (LDLC ASVEL Feminin) - One of the best young players in the world, her athleticism and wing span alone is sensational. She also just won silver with France at the Paris 2024 Olympics - aged just 18.
Group B
UFAB 49 (FRA), Hozono Global Jairis (ESP), Panathinaikos (GRE), Polski Cukier AZS UMCS Lublin (POL)
The favorite: Hozono Global Jairis (ESP) Key matchup: UFAB 49 (FRA) vs AZS UMCS Lublin (POL) The underdog: Panathinaikos (GRE) The star: Morgan Bertsch (Hozono Global Jairis) - A classy performer, Bertsch is a baller who can carry the load for her team. She will likely come up with some huge performances to catapult Jairis in the direction of top spot.
Group C
AEO Proteas Voulas (GRE), IDK Euskotren (ESP), Crvena Zvezda (SRB), ACS Sepsi-Sic (ROM)
The favorite: IDK Euskotren (ESP) Key matchup: Crvena Zvezda (SRB) vs ACS Sepsi-Sic (ROM) The underdog: AEO Proteas Voulas (GRE) The star: Maddison Williams (Crvena Zvezda) - If the Serbian club are to make it out of the group, then surely it will be the versatile Williams that gets it done. Often efficient and smart in her play, her outputwill be vital.
Group D
Neptunas Amberton (LTU), Caledonia Gladiators (GBR), BCF Elfic Fribourg (SUI), BLMA (FRA)
The favorite: BLMA (FRA) Key matchup: Caledonia Gladiators (GBR) vs BCF Elfic Fribourg (SUI) The underdog: Neptunas Amberton (LTU) The star: Romane Bernies (BLMA) - Fresh from helping France take a famous silver medal at Paris 2024, the experienced guard will be leading BLMA once again and showing her leadership and playmaking skills.
Group E
Bodrum Basketbol (TUR), Charnay Basket (FRA), Piestanskae Cajky (SVK), Sopron Basket (HUN)
The favorite: Bodrum Basketbol (TUR) Key matchup: Charnay Basket (FRA) vs Sopron Basket (HUN) The underdog: Piestanskae Cajky (SVK) The star: Yueru Li (Bodrum Basketbol) - A global star from her work with China and also making the Final of the competition last season with Besiktas, her additon is huge for Bodrum. She will rack up the double-doubles.
Group F
Peli-Karhut (FIN), Rutronik Stars Keltern (IOC), Castors Braine (BEL), CSM Constanta (ROM)
The favorite: CSM Constanta (ROM) Key matchup: Rutronik Stars Keltern (GER) vs Castors Braine (BEL) The underdog: Peli-Karhut (FIN) The star: Nina Dedic (CSM Constanta) - The Croatian was outstanding in the recent EuroLeague Women Qualifiers and if she maintains that level, she could be huge for the ambitious Romanian club.
Group G
TARR KSC Szekszard (HUN), AEL Limassol (CYP), Tarbes Gespe Bigorre (FRA), Movistar Estudiantes (ESP)
The favorite: TARR KSC Szekszard (HUN) Key matchup: Tarbes Gespe Bigorre (FRA) vs Movistar Estudiantes (ESP) The underdog: AEL Limassol (CYP) The star: Frieda Buhner (Movistar Estudiantes) - A rising star more than an established one, the German forward was exceptional this past summer at U20 level and was catapulted into the senior team for Paris 2024 where she shone brightly off the bench.
Group H
Alba Berlin (GER), Kibirkstis Vilnius (LTU), Elitzur Ramla (ISR), VBW Gdynia (POL)
The favorite: Elitzur Ramla (ISR) Key matchup: VBW Gdynia (POL) vs Kibirkstis Vilnius (LTU) The underdog: Alba Berlin (GER) The star: Jennie Simms (Elitzur Ramla) - The do-it-all baller who has played for the Israel national team has put up some phenomenal numbers in EuroCup Women previously, including a triple-double. Simms could propel Ramla to pole position.
Group I
BDS Dinamo Sassari (ITA), MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec (POL), Kangoeroes Mechelen (BEL), TTT-Riga (LAT)
The favorite: BDS Dinamo Sassari (ITA) Key matchup: MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec (POL) vs TTT-Riga (LAT) The underdog: Kangoeroes Mechelen (BEL) The star: Debora Carangelo (BDS Dinamo Sassari)- A brilliant leader and captain, watch out for the Italian guard being one of the assists chart leaders again this season in the competition.
Group J
Sportiva/AzorisHotels (POR), KP TANY Brno (CZE), Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring (TUR), BAXI Ferrol (ESP)
The favorite: Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring (TUR) Key matchup: KP TANY Brno (CZE) vs BAXI Ferrol (ESP) The underdog: Sportiva/AzorisHotels (POR) The star: Julie Vanloo (Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring) - The Belgian guard is one of the leading ballers in Europe and will continue to impress with the Istanbul juggernauts. Vanloo will contribute in a big way in through her scoring and creativity - especially when teaming up alongside Cecilia Zandalasini.
Group K
GEAS Basket (ITA), SL Benfica (POR), Basket Namur Capitale (BEL), Besiktas JK (TUR)
The favorite: Besiktas JK (TUR) Key matchup: GEAS Basket (ITA) vs Basket Namur Capitale (BEL) The underdog: SL Benfica (POR) The star: Temi Fagbenle (Besiktas JK) - The British frontcourt ace will be the focal point of a Besiktas JK team who are one of the frontrunners and Fagbenle will likely put up some big numbers in the paint, having won the competition last season with London Lions.
Group L
BC Yerevan Foxes (ARM), La Molisana Campobasso (ITA), NKA Universitas PEAC (HUN), Spar Girona (ESP)
The favorite: Spar Girona (ESP) Key matchup: La Molisana Campobasso (ITA) vs NKA Universitas PEAC (HUN) The underdog: BC Yerevan Foxes (ARM) The star: Borislava Hristova (Spar Girona) - The Bulgarian is a scoring machine and has proved it in EuroLeague Women. In a relatively balanced group, Hristova could provide the firepower to propel Girona to top spot.
FIBA