MUNICH (Germany) - The Round of 16 is about to land as the last remaining clubs in the competition continue their exciting pursuit of the coveted EuroCup Women silverware.
So, there's no better time to take a look at this season's first set of Power Rankings and see who the frontrunners are.
Our expert panel have taken into account performances and results so far, as well as the all important Round of 16 draw which is naturally having a huge impact on everyone's ranking.
1. Villeneuve d'Ascq LM
Season record: 2-0 (1-5 in EuroLeague Women)
A shock number one? Maybe. But in past few weeks, they have put their winless start to the EuroLeague Women season behind them. They have a great young player in Carla Leite, big experience with Haley Peters and Kelsey Bone and a favorable tie with Movistar Estudiantes. They will still have to play well and somehow move on from the loss of playcaller Rachid Meziane and then there will be more scrutiny over their depth and number one tag if they advance.
2. Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring
Season record: 7-1
Touted as the favorites by many, facing LDLC ASVEL Feminin in the next phase denies them top spot - for now at least. They must play well to see off the French team who haven't lost - unlike Galatasary. But the recent signing of Yueru Li looks a masterstroke and the center is a walking double-double. With Brianna Fraser and Jisu Park, the frontline is so strong, while Julie Vanloo and Cecilia Zandalasini have the experience and skills to take care of the backcourt.
3. Besiktas JK
Season record: 8-0
Last year's runners-up are still in pursuit of one better this time and it's UFAB 49 standing in the way of the Quarter-Finals. Besiktas should have enough depth and quality to avoid an upset. They have so many game-winners in Temi Fagbenle, Dana Evans and Holly Winterburn. Plus with Elif Bayram playing the best basketball of her career and Tina Krajisnik and Alexis Peterson recently throw into the mix, it's looking really promising in terms of their challenge.
4. DVTK HUNTHERM
Season record: 2-0 (1-5 in EuroLeague Women)
Since escaping a frustrating EuroLeague Women season, opportunity now knocks for DVTK who look capable of having a serious tilt at silverware. BAXI Ferrol will be tricky as they have had an incredible season, but with Kaila Charles, Reka Lelik and Ana Tadic in particular, they will be expected to progress to the last eight of the competition. Certainly the home fans will make sure they make their presence and support felt - just another reason to have them as favorites.
5. BLMA
Season record: 8-0
It's been a perfect season so far and have won many of those games by very healthy margins. Now they contemplate trying to avoid being on the wrong end of not exactly a 'giant-killing' but what would be a shock if they lost to the in-form Rutronik Stars Keltern. With Dulcy Fankam absolutely flying, Nell Angloma a power in the paint, Romane Bernies such a classy veteran and Garance Rabot showing out consistently, they should have enough to take the next step.
6. Spar Girona
Season record: 7-1
It's been tricky to assess Spar Girona since half their games have been against La Molisana Campobasso - as well as two games with the struggling Yerevan Foxes. But they have already beaten Round of 16 opponents Pecs twice this season and Roberto Iniguez will have his team primed for a repeat. They look after the ball so well through veteran guard Sandra Ygueravide, as well as having big talents like Klara Lundquist, Borislava Hristova and Chloe Bibby.
7. Uni Gyor
Season record: 2-0 (0-6 in EuroLeague Women)
The winless EuroLeague Women Regular Season and departure of Bridget Carleton were both disappointing, but Gyor look capable of putting the pieces back together in this competition. They will face domestic competitors Sopron in a mouth-watering tie, no doubt looking to lean on their frontcourt combo of Virag Kiss and Darcee Garbin to lay the foundation to take them through. Meanwhile Reka Dombai and Debora Dubei will be pivotal in the backcourt.
8. BDS Dinamo Sassari
Season record: 6-4 (including Qualifiers)
Having come through the Qualifiers, Sassari will be delighted to be in this phase, but will be eager to keep pushing for more. They will engage with the unbeaten IDK Euskotren which throws an immediate question mark over this ranking, but in Sparkle Taylor they arguably have a baller that can figure out the solutions against the Spanish team's hard-nosed defense. It looks a 50-50 tie, so Ana-Marija Begic and Shaylee Gonzales need to bring their 'A-game' too.
9. Sopron Basket
Season record: 7-1
The trio of Jacinta Monroe, Zala Friskovec and Steph Reid has been behind their strong season, with Sopron having only dropped one game since tipping off. They head into their matchup against arch rivals Uni Gyor looking to continue their good form and if they keep looking after the ball brilliantly, that control and composure could be vital. Especially as Gyor turn it over more than they should. Their opponents are slight favorites, but it won't concern Sopron.
10. BAXI Ferrol
Season record: 9-1 (including Qualifiers)
What an awesome campaign for the Spanish side who came through the Qualifiers. Not only winning 9 of 10 outings, but taking a Stunning success in Istanbul against Galatasaray. Without any high-performing USA imports, it's been an eclectic mix of Europeans getting it done - and doing it brilliantly. Gala Mestres has had a breakout season, Irish star Claire Melia has been superb and despite this ranking, they will be quietly confident of shocking DVTK.
11. UFAB 49
Season record: 8-2 (including Qualifiers)
It's been a a huge team effort for Angers this season, producing some eye-catching results with no massively standout ballers. Despite their record, they will be big underdogs to beat Besiktas in this next phase, but if they keep with the same formula they have had all season, it's not an impossible task. Axelle Merceron and Marine Dursus have been doing a great job for the team, while Ameryst Alston is always capable of leading this team to victory in any game.
12. LDLC ASVEL Feminin
Season record: 7-0 (+1 tie)
Viewed as potential trophy winners, the former champions have seen that optimism diluted dramatically after being paired with Galatasaray. Having to go through the quality and depth of the Turkish giants wil take something special. Although ASVEL at least have some of that in November MVP Dominique Malonga and the teenagers matchup with Yueri Li will be sensational. To move on to the last eight, Julie Wojta and Juste Jocyte will have to ball out too.
13. IDK Euskotren
Season record: 7-0 (+1 tie)
It's been a sensational unbeaten season so far, with a rare draw in the Play-Off Round 1 as close as they have come. They are great at closing out tight games and without massive amounts of scoring power, their defense has been their mojo. As well as the leadership of Delicia Washington in the backcourt, supported by the likes of Beckey Massey, Lola Pendande and Alba Prieto. The Sassari matchup looks like a coin-toss on paper, so don't be surprised if they progress.
14. Movistar Estudinates
Season record: 5-2 (+ 1 tie)
It was a nerve-shredding Play-Off Round 1 as the Spanish club only just squeezed past VBW Arka Gdynia and now they look forward to facing Villeneuve d'Ascq and trying to cause an upset. Their opponents will be favorites having come via EuroLeague Women, but with young German forward Frieda Buhner on fire and showing why she turned heads at Paris 2024, there are reasons to be optimistic. Plus, Alexandra Sharp is also in-form and capable of doing big things.
15. NKA Universitas Pecs
Season record: 4-4
It's been a roller-coaster to say the least and the Hungarian side were almost eliminated after they came close to blowing a 22-point advantage against Olympiacos. But they move on and now face a challenge against a Spar Girona team on the rise. Julie Reisingerova will relish the chance of putting one over on her former team, but Pecs need to help their star center with a lot more consistent support if they want to continue in the competition.
16. Rutronik Stars Keltern
Season record: 6-2
The German club have made history and deserve huge credit for reaching this stage and while ranked 16th, they clearly love to defy expectations so should probably welcome being labelled as underdogs again. Maybe that label is unfair since losing their first two games of their campaign, they are on a six-game winning streak. But they do have a tough task against BLMA. Mina Djordjevic, Quinesha Lockett and Alexandra Wilke will have to continue in top gear.
*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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