Everything you need to know about the EuroCup Women Regular Season

MUNICH (Germany) - The EuroCup Women Regular Season has landed and here is an ultimate guide to the new campaign, with a breakdown of every group and the players to look out for.

The competition continues to be played in two Conferences, based on geographical criteria. There are 48 teams in total competing during the Regular Season, split into 12 groups of four. You can find more on the competition system HERE. Every team that finishes first or second in its respective group will advance to the knockout rounds, as well as the four best third-placed teams.

Conference 1

GROUP A –  OUTLOOK AND KEY DUO FOR EACH TEAM

Kalani Brown can be unstoppable when she gets going for Hatayspor

Hatayspor (TUR) – Kalani Brown is an imposing presence for HataySpor and showed her value in the Qualifiers with a super performance. Bahar Caglar adds big veteran experience from the international level and Hatayspor have a reasonable chance of progressing if they play well.

Panathinaikos AC (GRE) – Retaining Chastity Reed, who averaged almost 20 points per game last season, was vital and she will be a leader again. The arrival of German Emma Stach will be interesting and Panathinaikos will also hope they can do enough to advance behind a Greek core of players.

BC Polkowice (TUR) – Steph Mavunga could be one of the pickups of the off-season as she has done it all in this competition and also in EuroLeague Women. Greek forward Artemis Spanou has switched from rivals Gdynia and, in a highly competitive group, Polkowice could finish top if they play well.

WBC Enisey (RUS) – Belgian guard Julie Vanloo was a high-profile acquisition and will be a force in the backcourt, with forward Anna Pachurina looking to make an impression to force her way into the Russian national team. Enisey will have to shoot the ball well from range to have the best chance of progressing.

GROUP B –  OUTLOOK AND KEY DUO FOR EACH TEAM

Brianna Fraser was outstanding for ACS Sepsi-SIC in the recent EuroLeague Women Qualifiers

Elazig Il Ozel Idare (TUR) – Kolby Morgan had two super games in the Qualifiers for her new club and the guard must bring the noise during the Regular Season. Lindsey Pulliam could be about to make a big impression in her rookie pro season overseas, but a lack of depth compared to last year might see Elazig struggle to make the same kind of deep run.

Prometey (UKR) – Signing an Olympic 2020 gold medal winner in Ariel Atkins is a massive coup for the ambitious Ukrainian side and Nikolina Babic showed her skills during Bosnia and Herzegovina’s history-making showing at the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2021. It would not be a big surprise if they caused a big splash in this tournament.

ACS Sepsi-SIC (ROM) - Even if they didn’t make it out of the EuroLeague Women Qualifiers, Briana Fraser showed what she can bring with a big show. Jovana Pasic adds solid experience and consistency from the wings, although Sepsi got a wake-up call last weekend with a rare Romanian League loss, so they  will have to improve to top this group.

Uni Gyor (Hun) – Aari McDonald was picked as one of the best off-season signings recently and could be a difference-maker in her rookie season. Young Reka Dombai is one of the best of her generation globally and already has EuroCup Women experience to call upon. Uni Gyor could be an awkward team to play against and are potential group winners.

GROUP C –  OUTLOOK AND KEY DUO FOR EACH TEAM

Natasha Mack of Lublin could prove to be one of the most influential players in the competition this season

Pszczolka Polski Cukier AZS UMCS Lublin (POL) – The one-two punch of American duo Natasha Mack and Kamiah Smalls alone could be enough to propel Lublin towards second spot in this group, but they will have to beat domestic rivals Gorzow.

Horizont (BLR) – The legendary and EuroLeague Women All-Time shot block leader Anastasiya Verameyenka is a pivotal figure and forms a tough twin towers format with national team colleague Viktoriya Hasper. Minsk could be underdogs overall, but will still have to be respected with so much veteran know-how.

CBK Mersin Yenisehir Bld (TUR) – Mersin have transformed their roster with a glut of top quality names. British center Temi Fagbenle is a super player and competed with Reyer Venezia in last year’s title game, while playmaker Yvonne Turner has bags of EuroLeague Women experience. They will be expected to finish in pole position in this group.

InvestInTheWest Enea GZ (POL) – Naturalized Bosnia and Herzegovina forward Courtney Hurt can be an anchor and with Ksenia Tikhonenko battling in the paint, Gorzow will be physically strong and tough to beat. It remains to be seen if they will have the depth and bench to fight off Lublin in particular.

GROUP D –  OUTLOOK AND KEY DUO FOR EACH TEAM

The guard play of Nora Wentzel for PEAC caught the eye during the Qualifiers

NKA Universitas PEAC (HUN) – Forward Chelsea Nelson gives strength in the frontcourt, while Hungarian guard Nora Wentzel is playing some of the best basketball of her career in a blistering start to the season. They emerged safely through the Qualifiers and are unbeaten domestically, so they should be able to land some punches in this group.

Nesibe Aydin (TUR) – It’s experience all the way and none more so than former Belarusian leader Katsiaryna Snytsina who is still going strong. The wings are certainly served with talent and experience since Lithuanian Kamile Nacickaite is also a danger and will help the team deal with not having had previous European experiences as a club.

Bellona Kayseri (TUR) – Brooque Williams erupted in the EuroLeague Women Qualifiers and showed her guard skills in a big way. Czech center Renata Brezinova is also a tough player who can get it done at this level. Yet much will also rely on how the Turkish players perform off the bench.

Neve David Ramla (ISR) – Kelsey Mitchell and her scoring ability is huge for Ramla and with the power and poise of Emma Canon in the paint, they have some real quality. In fact, could Ramla be a dark horse in this tournament?

GROUP E –  OUTLOOK AND KEY DUO FOR EACH TEAM

Lithuanian Miskiene-Svaryte is always scoring and grabbing boards for Bydgoszcz

Polskieprzetwory Bydgoszcz (POL) – Lithuanian forward Laura Miskiene-Svaryte is such a handful for any opposing defense. Karina Michalek deserves a shout-out as an unsung hero who has been at the club for much of the last decade or so. However, Bydgoszcz could lack star quality in the clutch.

KKZ Crvena Zvezda (SRB) – Masa Jankovic was the young Serbian center who was handed a surprise place on the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2021 roster and returned with a gold medal. Aleksandra Katanic should make them tick and the Serbian club will likely be big underdogs.

Nadezhda (RUS) – The super-high efficiency of naturalized Montenegro national team star Markeisha Gatling will be an anchor to build around, while Adaora Elonu arrives as a FIBA Women’s AfroBasket champion and has huge EuroLeague Women experience. Nadezhda will be expecting to advance from this group.

Olympiacos SFP (GRE) – The arrival of Kristine Vitola is a statement signing as the Latvian is a tough performer under the basket. Anna Stamolamprou will fly the flag for the homegrown Greek players from the backcourt. If they can score from downtown and spread the load effectively, Olympiacos could be hard to stop.

GROUP F –  OUTLOOK AND KEY DUO FOR EACH TEAM

Dora Medgyessy pulls the strings for DVTK and is a renowned 3x3 baller too

Ludovika-FCSM Csata (HUN) – Reka Lelik can do it all on the wing and her contributions will be essential on a roster that has relatively few headline stars. Forward Stasha Carey can turn up the dial too, but the team concepts are more important for first-timers Csata who have started on fire in the Hungarian League and could cause some damage in this group.

Nika Syktyvkar (RUS) – Raisa Musina is one of Team Russia’s standout stars and she is a centerpiece for Nika, along with the free-scoring Belgian Hind Ben Abdelkader. A first outing in the competition could be exciting if they get off to a good start.

Orman Genclik (TUR) – Teaira McCowan is a stunning addition and she arrives having almost posted a WNBA season double-double. Meanwhile Turkish guard Goksen Fitik is one of the most talented players of her generation but needs to now find some good numbers and consistency. She could be vital and Orman can challenge in this group.

DVTK (HUN) –British forward Cheridene Green has been killing it in the early games, with her scoring and rebounding ability a focus for this team. Experienced playmaker Dora Medgyessy is a 3x3 star who loves to dish up highlights. After the team’s up and down start domestically, they just need to find some consistency.

Conference 2

GROUP G –  OUTLOOK AND KEY DUO FOR EACH TEAM

Maggie Lucas lit it up in the Qualifiers with Banco Sardegna Sassari

Tenerife (ESP) – American winger Kaela Davis is a real ‘X-Factor’ baller who once won the competition with Galatasaray. Hungarian captain Krisztina Raksanyi is not big on numbers but always sets the tone on defense. The biggest issue for Tenerife is consistency – or a lack of it. Something already evident domestically.

BCF Elfic Fribourg (SUI) – Swiss international Marielle Giroud is always a threat and was recently domestic SuperCup MVP and Slovenian guard Aleksandra Kroselj will want to prover herself with one eye on her national team role. Fribourg might be underdogbs, but they have succeeded with that label previously.

Banco di Sardegna Sassari (ITA) – As we witnessed in the Qualifiers, everything revolves around the scoring punch of Maggie Lucas who will again be the marquee player. While Slovenian center Tina Trebec brings important stability under the hoop, do Sassari have enough scorers outside of Lucas to really do well in this group?

Tango Bourges (FRA) – Elin Eldebrink offers leadership, hard-nosed defense and a steady hand at the playmaking spot, with young center Iliana Rupert causing a positive stir with her ability. Bourges have never started the Regular Season as it has always been EuroLeague Women, other than when they parachuted into EuroCup Women and won the title in 2016.

GROUP H –  OUTLOOK AND KEY DUO FOR EACH TEAM

Tima Pouye played with Flammes at the Final Four of the competition last season

Virtus Segafredo Bologna (ITA) – The brilliant Cecilia Zandalasini needs little introduction and her magic on the court already has Bologna as capable of making a deep run. Add the offensive firepower of Croatian ace Ivana Dojkic and the Italian side could be a force to be reckoned with.

Roche Vendee (FRA) – The scoring and rebounding prowess of Chile legend Ziomara Morrison is huge, while Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis can hit from outside in bunches. Those two will pace Roche Vendee who could sneak up on their group rivals and could surprise in what might be more of a balanced group than some expect.

Flammes (FRA) – Guard Tima Pouye is beginning to really impose herself on games and she is one of the first names on the opposition scouting report. The powerful Evelyn Akhator is a Nigerian center who can be unstoppable and Flammes will be expecting to push for top spot as a result.

Lointek Gernika (ESP) – Forward duo Tinara Moore and Paula Ginzo will most likely be key to the prospects of Gernika who have done well in this competition during recent years. However they are in a highly competitive group this time and must hit top gear.

GROUP I –  OUTLOOK AND KEY DUO FOR EACH TEAM

The hard work and warrior-like play of Laura Gil took Valencia to last year's EuroCup Women title

Kangoeroes Basket (BEL) - The outstanding national team rising star Billie Massey will be a focal point, while Ivana Katanic of Serbia has the chance to showcase her backcourt talents. They will really have to fight to progress and the meeting with domestic rivals Namur will be vital.

Basket Namur Capitale (BEL) - Courtney Range showed she can be a premier player with the club in the competition last season, with Marjorie Carpreaux always likely to bring the entertainment at the point guard position. They will need to play well to progress and must get a win against Ensino and dominate Kangoeroes.

Duran Maquinaria Ensino (ESP) – Center Georgina Bahi is an imposing and important physical presence, while young Italian guard Alessandra Orsili has a great chance to showcase her potential in her first season outside of her homeland. They will be underdogs compared to Valencia but will be expected to complete

Valencia BC (ESP) – The reigning champions will rely on the unsung hero warrior work of Laura Gil while German frontcourt standout Marie Guelich also looks a very handy pickup. Anything other than top spot in the group would be an epic shock.

GROUP J –  OUTLOOK AND KEY DUO FOR EACH TEAM

Marine Johannes will show her skills with LDLC ASVEL Feminin again after starring in EuroLeague Women

Movistar Estudiantes (ESP) – It’s an interesting roster for the Madrid-based side with Meli Gretter of the Argentina national team in the playmaking spot, plus Spanish forward Laura Quevedo who will be looking to force her way back into Spanish national team selection. But their poor form early in Liga Feminina looks worrying.

MBK Ruzomberok (SVK) – Teodora Turudic is a highly capable player that will now be looking to push for Serbian national team opportunities, Mart’e Grays is someone who will have to try and dominate for a roster that looks potentially short on top level clutch players and in terms of roster depth.

Liege Panthers (BEL) – American forward Brittany Brewer was on fire in the Qualifiers and crowned Top Performer. She is a walking double-double and Julia Franquin is an exciting Belgian teenager capable of good things. Can Liege really compete for maybe second spot?

LDLC ASVEL Feminin (FRA) – Belgian point guard Julie Allemand and French guard Marine Johannes are two of the biggest names not only in the competition but in the women’s game globally. Yet LDLC’s stacked roster has struggled early in the LFB and that might mean their status of group favorites might be challenged.

GROUP K –  OUTLOOK AND KEY DUO FOR EACH TEAM

Maxuella Lisowa-Mbaka is a great prospect for Belgium and could be a difference-maker for Castors Braine

Zabiny Brno (CZE) – Petra Zaplatova is a momentum-shifter and can put points on the board quickly. The fabulous veteran Slovakian center Anna Jurcenkova offers tons of experience and know-how, but does Brno have enough scoring in their locker as a team?

Rutronik Stars Keltern (GER) – Forward Breanna Richardson will be expected to come up with the big digits in the paint, while LaShann Higgs can light it up from the backcourt. With a smart coach in Christian Hergenrother they will be well prepared and pushing for a top two spot.

London Lions (GBR) – Holly Winterburn caught fire during the Qualifiers and the versatile guard is one of the brightest Great Britain prospects. Jo Leedham-Warner brings incredible experience to the table as a former winner of the competition. Lions have little to fear in this Group and if they play well, the first-timers could make more history.

Castors Braine (BEL) – Aislinn Konig is a tremendous shooter and the Canadian showed out in the competition previously with BCF Elfic Fribourg. Maxuella Lisowa-Mbaka is an exciting young Belgian player with a big future. Castors Braine should be targeting pole position in the group with their EuroLeague Women experience.

GROUP L –  OUTLOOK AND KEY DUO FOR EACH TEAM

Helena Sverrisdottir was incredible for Haukar during the Qualifiers

Haukar (ISL) – Helena Sverrisdottir is a legend in her homeland and beyond, showing her skills in a masterful performance during the Qualifiers when point guard Haiden Palmer also shone brightly. They will be the minnows in the group but relishing trying to spring a surprise.

KP Brno (CZE) – Lebanon national team guard Rebecca Akl will be fun to watch and Michaela Stejskalova has played and scored big for the Czech team and averaged double-digits at the 2012 Olympics so has quality. On paper they lack depth but have opened 3-0 domestically, so who knows?

Tarbes GB (FRA) – Julie Wojta balled out in the Qualifiers and will likely do so again during the season. Look out for teenager Serena Kessler as the guard is a nice prospect and could do well if given the opportunity. Tarbes can expect to advance but is unlikely to be straightforward.

Villeneuve d'Ascq LM (FRA) – Jillian Harmon is the Tall Ferns forward that continues to do good things and she can be relied on hugely. Rising star Janelle Salaun was unstoppable in a French jersey this past summer at youth level. A good start to the LFB season for Villeneuve means they could top this group if the momentum continues.

 FIBA