ZARAGOZA (Spain) - The first games to be played at the inaugural Final Six in Zaragoza will see four clubs going to work in an attempt to secure the two precious Semi-Final tickets still on offer.
Taking place on Wednesday, April 9, the two Quarter-Final matchups will see Italian club Beretta Famila Schio facing Czech giants ZVVZ USK Praha, prior to Turkish hopefuls CIMSA CBK Mersin locking horns with French outfit Tango Bourges Basket.
The prize of making it past the Quarter-Finals will be to join Fenerbahce Opet and Valencia Basket Club in the penultimate phase on Friday. Both clubs have already made it after their respective Semi-Final Play-Ins success.
Beretta Famila Schio vs ZVVZ USK Praha - 17:30 (CET)
What a duel for the first ever game at the Final Six - not least because we have two top class playcallers on the sidelines. Georgios Dikaioulakos of Schio is in the race for Coach of the Year, while the legendary Natalia Hejkova is a five-time champion and FIBA Hall of Famer who's announced she is retiring at the end of the current campaign.
Schio have a great balance with the free-scoring Kitija Laksa often bringing the noise offensively and a classy one-two punch in the frontcourt with Janelle Salaun and Dorka Juhasz. Meanwhile Praha will be looking for inspiration from the likes of winger Valeriane Ayayi, in-form center Brionna Jones and recently returned captain, Teja Oblak.
Game History: Both clubs met in last year's Quarter-Finals which was played as a best-of-three series, with Praha coming out on top 2-1. The Czech side also outlasted Schio at this stage back in 2016, although the Italian club can take pride in having pipped their rivals in a dramatic Third Place Game two seasons ago at the Final Four.
Star player: French national team star Valeriane Ayayi really has done it all for Praha this season and is producing some of the best basketball of her career in the competition. Her inside-outside game could be a difference-maker. Key matchup: Dorka Juhasz and Brionna Jones is going to be intriguing in the high and low post. With Hungarian center Juhasz on board, Schio have a genuine matchup option in terms of her size and talent to potentially live with the high-performing Jones. The American has been her usually dominant self across the campaign, leading Praha in efficiency, points and rebounds with a near double-double campaign. Can Juhasz slow her down? X-Factor: There is virtually nothing in the head-to-head when it comes to numbers, with the exception of Praha scoring double digits per game in fast break points with 12.1 compared to 7.6. These teams are matched so closely in just about every way. On paper at least, it looks like it could go down to the wire. That means whoever is keeping their composure and delivering in the clutch moment is likely to get it done.
CIMSA CBK Mersin vs Tango Bourges Basket 20.30 (CET)
There will be so much familiarity and a lot to love when these two clubs go up against each other. Not only did they meet in the First Round of the current season, there are major stars in the Mersin lineup who were once standout ballers at Bourges - step forward Illiana Rupert, Marine Johannes and Marine Fauthoux!
With those stellar names already listed, as well as the likes of Yvonne Anderson, Bridget Carleton and Karlie Sameulson, Mersin are favorites. But Bourges have shown they can push their opponents close. With Pauline Astier directing traffic and Amy Okonkwo, Kariata Diaby and Artemis Spanou in the paint, they could spring a surprise.
Game History: Mersin beat Bourges twice in the First Round but only by four points at home. The teams also met at the Quarter-Finals stage in the 2022-23 season, with Mersin taking a 2-1 series win which came en-route to making the EuroLeague Women title game for the very first time.
Star player: Iliana Rupert is a top three candidate for the MVP award having been named among the finalists and it underlines her incredible season. Her efficiency of 21.6 is third-best in the competition and she could have a big say against her former club. Key matchup: Will it be Anderson or Astier that brings their 'A-Game' in this one? The veteran class of Anderson in the backcourt is a great platform for Mersin to launch from and she brings so much know-how, including having been crowned a champion last season with Fenerbahce. But Astier also makes Bourges tick in a big way. When she is at her best, so is her team. X-Factor: It has to be Marine Johannes. A baller for the big occasion, the guard will love this kind of stage and an opportunity to shine against her ex-employers. A momentum-shifter and built for the clutch, if she gets hot it could see her extinguish the hopes of Bourges.
FIBA