MUNICH (Germany) - We've hit the halfway point of the EuroLeague Women Regular Season First Round and there's no better time to re-assess the Power Rankings and see where everyone now stands after three outings.
Our expert panel have taken into account performances and results so far, while also comparing where each club was in Volume 1.
1. CBK Mersin (+2)
Season record: 3-0 (1st in Group B)
So far, so good. Flawless, but the best part for head coach Victor Lapena is having multiple different players all coming up with big performances. Marine Johannes, Iliana Rupert and Natasha Howard have delivered the headline shows, but even more importantly, there have been plenty of cameos too. They've shot the ball very well as a team and showed their teeth in a gentle, but still predatory way. The signs are there. They could be the real deal and get it done this year.
2. Fenerbahce Opet (-1)
Season record: 3-0 (1st in Group C)
Oh the relief. Yes, oh the relief. Fenerbahce could and probably should have been beaten at KGHM BC Polkowice with the game out of their control at the end when their opponents missed two outside shots to probably win the contest. The holders don't look like they quite have their usual depth or verve about them in these early stages. They also have to most of their eggs in the Emma Meesseman basket already. Do they still need a star name added to the roster?
3. Valencia Basket Club (-1)
Season record: 2-1 (1st in Group D)
Is your glass is half full or half empty Valencia fans? That pulsating first week comeback win against Praha was sensational, but they crashed back down to earth by losing at Reyer. It's tough to judge their progress. Nadia Fingall has been superb, they have turned the ball over slightly too much as a team and some of their biggest names are still moving through the gears. Do they look more or less like title contenders than they did before the season? Hmmm.
4. ZVVZ USK Praha (-)
Season record: 2-1 (2nd in Group D)
There's no move upwards (yet). They went down on opening day in Valencia and took their medicine. They've since blasted their way to successive wins, the last being a super 20 point success at Reyer which has really shown they are challengers. Maria Conde is playing some of the best basketball of her career on the wings and with Brionna Jones so tough under the hoop, it's going to be so hard to stop them. Next up? Valencia at home! What a game this could be!
5. Beretta Famila Schio (-)
Season record: 2-1 (1st in Group A)
It's going according to power ranking expectation after home wins against Perfumerias Avenida and Basket Landes. Proudly sat top of Group A, there was a setback at DVTK, but overall and considering they have been without Dorka Juhasz, this has been a super start. Janelle Salaun has been sensational and might be in the running to be crowned best signing of any team. Shoutout to Jasmine Keys who's similarly stellar efforts have probably flown under the radar.
6. Perfumerias Avenida (-)
Season record: 2-1 (2nd in Group A)
Anna Montanana knows all about EuroLeague Women and stopped anyone pressing the panic button after the day one collapse in Schio. Two wins later, they look Final Six contenders. They've such a nice mix and depth with veteran Silvia Dominguez, brilliant young gun Iyana Martin, the under-appreciated Andrea Vilaro and Arella Guirantes being a creator first! The main frontcourt rotation of Sika Kone, Laura Gil and Mariella Fasoula means there is lots to like!
7. Umana Reyer Venezia (+1)
Season record: 2-1 (3rd in Group D)
The wheels came off in the last game against Praha when they were outclassed. Yet Reyer can still reflect proudly on having taken Valencia's scalp with that brilliant home win on gameday 2. It suggests they can push for Final Six despite being in probably the most challenging group. There have been really nice contributions from Lorela Cubaj and Awak Kuier in the paint, with Lisa Berkani showing up in the backcourt. So, a work in progress, but still reasons to be positive.
8. Casademont Zaragoza (+1)
Season record: 2-1 (2nd in Group C)
There was a question mark about this roster after a few changes, but they look very competitive and importantly, Zaragoza have a precious road win to their name. You always have to fancy them in front of their passionate fans and with two home games remaining of the three, they are in a strong position to advance. Tanaya Atkinson and Mariona Ortiz have provided important continuity, while Helena Pueyo and Markeisha Gatling have impressed since arriving.
9. Tango Bourges Basket (+2)
Season record: 2-1 (2nd in Group B)
On paper, it didn't look particularly appealing, but the reality is that Tango Bourges Basket look a powerful unit that will take some beating, even if they move to the Second Round which is looking more likely with each week. The twin frontcourt terrors of Kariata Diaby and Amy Okonkwo have been simply outstanding since their summer arrival and that's been vital. Also, guard Pauline Astier knew she had to be more aggressive and influential - and she has been.
10. DVTK HUNTHERM (-3)
Season record: 1-2 (4th in Group A)
A drop of three spots is very harsh when you think they came so, so close to winning their other two games. Both were on a knife edge, but the reality is that at the midway point of this First Round they are last in Group A. It's still salvageable, but there's no more margin for error and they can't just leave it all in the hands of Reka Lelik and Kaila Charles. Nobody else has shown up consistently performance-wise and they really miss the departed Darcee Garbin.
11. Basket Landes (+3)
Season record: 1-2 (3rd in Group A)
As has become customary for Basket Landes in this competition, we get to see a little bit of absolutely everything. In three weeks we have had a vibrant home win against DVTK, a heavy road loss against Aveniva and a valiant effort and close defeat at Schio. They are fighting in an ultra-competitive group and while their teamwork is not in doubt, the difference-maker will probably be whether anyone can produce huge individual displays in these next three games.
12. KGHM BC Polkowice (+3)
Season record: 1-2 (3rd in Group C)
It was such a glorious failure in that amazing game against Fenerbahce Opet when they lost 90-88 but won an army of admirers for their incredible efforts in almost causing an upset. To think they could have had two wins at this halfway point is crazy against expectations. Credit where it's due. Emma Cannon has been a colossus and Alexis Peterson is breathing fire and looks one of the best off-season pickups. They look capable of making the Second Round for sure.
13. Zabiny Brno (+3)
Season record: 1-2 (3rd in Group B)
From bottom spot as the qualifier, Brno don't exactly rocket up the rankings but you have to put some respect on their name right now. They celebrated that landmark opening night when they returned after a decade away with a win and have fought hard in their other two games. With two home fixtures left and a winnable one at Olympiacos, opportunity knocks. And, what about Eliska Hamzova and Elissa Cunane? What a tremendous one-two punch they've produced.
14. Uni Gyor (-1)
Season record: 0-3 (4th in Group D)
Unable to get prize asset Bridget Carleton on the floor yet, as well as coping with injuries, it's been a rough start. Then, when you combine this with the fact they are probably in the most difficult group, the path to EuroCup Women feels like an inevitable one right now. The one positive is that Hungarian guard Reka Dombai has shown her talent, but the frontcourt of Virag Kiss, Darcee Garbin, Cyeha Goree and Weronika Telenga really does need to turn up the dial hard.
15. Villeneuve d'Ascq LM (-5)
Season record: 0-3 (4th in Group C)
It looks like a one-way ticket to EuroCup Women for Rachid Meziane and his team unless something crazy happens in these next weeks. They look short on talent and depth compared to last year when they made that spectacular Cinderella run to the title game. Worryingly it has not just been opening up with three straight defeats, it has also been the manner of the losses too. A lack of firepower is killing them and just 56 points per game is nowhere near enough.
16. Olympiacos (-4)
Season record: 0-3 (4th in Group B)
It's just not happening for Olympiacos. While their latest defeat to CBK Mersin saw them close the gap, it will take something unexpected and brilliant to avoid the EuroCup Women trap door. Scoring remains a big issue and with no bench contributions of any note, the pressure on the starting five is just too much. Merritt Hempe has impressed as expected, but they really now need more than single digit scoring returns from Ivana Raca and Eleanna Christinaki.
*The power rankings are put together by our expert panel. They are entirely subjective and are in no way a true and accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.
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