EuroLeague Women Final preview: Nadezhda Orenburg Region v UMMC Ekaterinburg

ISTANBUL (EuroLeague Women Final Four) - We take a look ahead to the 2016 EuroLeague Women Final in Istanbul.

Nadezhda will head into the season-ending showdown as underdogs, but with every reason to believe they can produce a third slice of history.

They have already written two successful chapters, with their first-ever trip to Final Four and now a maiden appearance in the title game - but can they also do the unthinkable and finish on the top of the EuroLeague Women podium?

The competition has certainly delivered a few fairytales in recent years, with the likes of Galatasaray and ZVVZ USK Prague celebrating their first reigns as champions and perhaps another could now be waiting in the pipeline.

Meanwhile UMMC Ekaterinburg are chasing down their third title and head into the contest as favourites - this time hoping they can live up to top billing and add to the silverware they won in 2003 and 2013.

What They Say:
Nadezhda forward, DeWanna Bonner - "I think we match-up a little better with UMMC than we do with Prague, but either way it was always going to be a tough Final for us. We know UMMC a little better and it helps with the scouting, although it will probably just come down to all those small things. I will also get to play against Diana [Taurasi] who is one of my closest friends. We won't be talking too much during the game as we keep it strictly business."

UMMC head coach, Olaf Lange - "Compared to last year, we have a very different team. So, to come and play at that level with the way we did to beat a great team like Prague leaves me very proud of my team and the players. We did a good job defensively and we are really looking forward to Sunday's game."

Key Match-Up
It could be that the outstanding defensive skills of UMMC's veteran forward Sancho Lyttle is utilised to shackle Nadezhda kingpin in the shape of Bonner. That could be a pivotal duel on the hardwood as Lyttle bids to land her fourth EuroLeague Women title with a fourth different club - having won previously with Perfumerias Avenida, Ros Casares and Galatasaray. Bonner will play around 30-35 minutes if all goes to plan and so she will face multiple match-ups as she tries to use her varied scoring and rebounding ability to play a leading role as usual for her team.

Key Stat
While UMMC score almost eight points per game more than their opponents at 74.6 per game, Nadezhda were the only team to win in Ekaterinburg during the Regular Season and did so with their highest offensive number of the season - 84.

Game Notes
- Nadezhda won on the road against UMMC back in January, but they previously slipped up 64-54 in the first meeting earlier in the campaign.

- Diana Taurasi now needs 25 points to hit the fabulous 400 mark for the season as she also chases down the sixth EuroLeague Women title of her career.

- Nadezhda head coach Roberto Iniguez has now reached the Final in each and every one of the four seasons he has been coaching in the competition.

- Anna Cruz is the only Nadezhda player with EuroLeague Women Final minutes to her name.

For full EuroLeague Women coverage click here.

FIBA