ISTANBUL (Türkiye) - The battle to be crowned SuperCup Women 2024 champions is not just an all-Turkish clash, but also a massive Istanbul derby rivalry as Fenerbahce and Besiktas JK get ready to fight for the first piece of silverware this season.
Both clubs will participate in the 13th edition of the competition at the TBF Basketball Development Center. Consecutive EuroLeague Women champions Fenerbahce are looking like red-hot favorites to beat Besiktas, who came close to winning EuroCup Women 2024, but had to ultimately settle for being runners-up. At the 2023 edition of SuperCup Women, it was Fenerbahce who claimed the crown for the first time and also became the inaugural Turkish winners in the process.
The live broadcast of the game will be available to watch live and for free on the EuroLeague Women YouTube channel, with tip-off scheduled for 18:00 CET on Wednesday, October 2.
Live stats and play-by-play will be available and you can also let us know who you think will be champions by casting your vote in the fan poll below.
Fenerbahce
Last year it was Napheesa Collier who showed out for Fenerbahce as they overran LDLC ASVEL Feminin 109-52 to take that maiden SuperCup triumph on the first step to another memorable season that culminated in success at Final Four.
The forward is not back on board for 2024-25 and indeed the Fenerbahce roster has been re-shaped for the new campaign. However, Emma Meesseman will still be the centerpiece and for this game, watch out for her Belgian Cats' teammate and new arrival Julie Allemand making a splash.
Marieme Badiane and Nikolina Milic are two other important returnees alongside Meesseman and Fenerbahce tipped off their domestic season with a dominant 81-56 win against Botas. And, that was before the arrival of the fabulous French forward Gabby Williams and veteran Tina Charles who should also feature.
Besiktas JK
It's been a tough start to the season for Besiktas who were well beaten by Basket Landes in both legs of their EuroLeague Women Qualifiers tie recently. This means they will once again compete in the EuroCup Women Regular Season.
Still missing some key ballers who they need to get onto the floor soon, they were also defeated by fellow EuroCup Women side Bodrum Basketbol in their opening Turkish League game last weekend.
They will look to their strong backcourt options of Dana Evans, Holly Winterburn, Nika Muhl and Mihaela Lazic to fire them to glory - or at the very least, keep them in contention. Meanwhile Khaalia Hillsman will lead the way under the basket.
Key Matchup
Emma Meesseman is most likely to be the one that carries Fenerbahce to back to back SuperCup Women titles. The Belgian will be ready to do what is needed for her team and trying to stop her will be Khaalia Hillsman.
This is a tough assignment in the paint for the Besiktas standout, but she did put up some huge numbers in the Qualifiers against Landes so is at least in great form.
SuperCup Women History
*In 2015, the EuroCup Women champions and runners-up took on the EuroLeague Women champions and runners-up in a four-team tournament, with ZVVZ USK Praha and UMMC Ekaterinburg meeting in the Final.
Who will be crowned SuperCup Women 2024 champions?
FIBA