MUNICH (Germany) - The last eight remaining teams are about to engage in what is shaping up to be a thrilling Quarter-Finals phase as the race for EuroCup Women silverware intensifies. As in the previous rounds, the ties will be played across two legs with the highest-seeded team - as per the Regular Season ranking - earning home advantage for the second leg.
The Quarter-Finals will be played on February 20 and 27 and the full schedule is available, here.
Sopron Basket vs BLMA
Three years ago, the clubs met in the Quarter-Finals of EuroLeague Women and now they meet again at this stage in EuroCup Women. While holding impressive and identical 9-1 season records, playing the second game on the road might not bother Sopron, since they're yet to taste defeat on their travels. Meanwhile, BLMA have strength in their nice mix of experience and youth. French duo Romane Bernies and Nell Angloma being the perfect example. Key matchup: Zala Friskovec (Sopron Basket) vs Jasmine Bailey (BLMA) Stats don't lie: Sopron Basket will need to stand up and be counted against a physically imposing opponent who are big and athletic. BLMA average a phenomenal 40.6 points in the paint compared to 27.6 for their rivals, while also scoring exactly twice as many fast-break points at 14.6 compared to 7.3.
Spar Girona vs LDLC ASVEL Feminin
This might prove to be the tie of the round. Both teams have amazing individual talent, scoring power and a great team ethic. Girona are 8-2 this season and former champions ASVEL are 8-1 (plus a tied game). Finely balanced on paper, ASVEL might be favorites after beating Galatasaray in the last round and because Dominique Malonga looks unstoppable. But Girona do have players in amazing form in Chloe Bibby, Klara Lundquist and Borislava Hristova. Key matchup: Chloe Bibby (Spar Girona) vs Dominique Malonga (LDLC ASVEL Feminin) Stats don't lie: Both of these high-performing teams are so well matched in just about every statistical category, but there's one standout difference. ASVEL are flying when it comes to fast break points at 21.6 per game compared to 11.7 for Girona who who will need their transition defense fine-tuned to nullify the threat.
Besiktas JK vs Villeneuve d'Ascq LM
Last year's finalists Besiktas come into this phase having only just squeezed through after a surprise first loss of the season which almost cost them. They are 9-1 compared to 3-1 for Villeneuve who parachuted in from EuroLeague Women and advanced to this stage after a triple overtime game for the ages against Movistar Estudiantes. Both teams have a good mix of experience and youth and there really is little to chose between them. Key matchup: Holly Winterburn (Besiktas JK) vs Carla Leite (Villeneuve d'Ascq LM) Stats don't lie: There is a bit more pressure on the starting five of Besiktas to get the job done, since they only average 14.7 points per game in bench scoring - compared to a significantly more productive 24.5 for Villeneuve.
BDS Dinamo Sassari vs BAXI Ferrol
It's incredible this is a battle of clubs coming via the Qualifiers, with both now one step away from the Semi-Finals. Spanish side Ferrol are likely to be favorites with their awesome 10-1 record so far and can rely on last month's MVP Angela Maitix who has been on fire. But Italian outfit Sassari can't be discounted even with an 8-4 record as they have a scoring machine in Sparkle Taylor and have already sunk two other Spanish clubs on their journey. Key matchup: Sparkle Taylor (BDS Dinamo Sassari) vs Angela Mataix (BAXI Ferrol)
Stats don't lie: Sassari are going to have to box-out for their lives, since Ferrol are crazy good on the offensive glass and average a mammoth 15.1 per game.
FIBA