MUNICH (Germany) - We're heading down the stretch of what has proved an exciting EuroLeague Women Second Round, with Final Six now coming closer into focus.
So, there's no better time to drop a new edition of the Power Rankings and see where everyone now stands.
Our expert panel have taken into account performances and results so far, as well as any injuries and roster moves - as well as comparing where each club was in Volume 3.
1. Fenerbahce Opet (+1)
Season record: 8-0 (1st in Group F) Heading into the winter break, Fenerbahce were unbeaten but it felt like they were spread a little thin quality-wise - or at least in comparison to previous seasons. With Emma Meesseman still showing her class and Gabby Williams heating up, there was no great concerns, but a timely boost looked needed. Showing they are not taking the defense of their crown lightly, they added more star power with the addition of Nyara Sabally. That was followed by a crushing home win over Valencia Basket Club. Now they really, really do look like champions in waiting again!
2. CIMSA CBK Mersin (-1)
Season record: 10-0 (1st in Group E)
Well it wouldn't be a season in Mersin without a coaching change. Unbeaten with eight wins in the competition, Victor Lapena departed. Although it hasn't stopped them rolling to a perfect and impressive 10 victories which has to be applauded. The loss of Marine Johannes to injury was a blow earlier in the campaign and the injury scare to the in-form Natasha Howard is a concern. But with Yvonne Anderson pulling the strings, Iliana Rupert on fire and Bridget Carleton on board, they still look like contenders - just not quite as much as their arch rivals from Istanbul.
3. Valencia Basket Club (-)
Season record: 6-2 (2nd in Group F)
It's been a mixed bag! The upsides are a nice 6-2 record, helped by a pulsating overtime win against Casademont Zaragoza which has proven massively important. They then swooped for Zaragoza's big fan favorite last season, Leonie Fiebich, which looks a super move. But their 36-point capitulation at Fenerbahce was farcical considering the quality of players they had on the floor. There is a lot of work to do and this next blockbuster game in Zaragoza might just truly show how capable they are of pushing for the title this season. What a roller-coaster it's becoming!
4. Beretta Famila Schio (+1)
Season record: 7-3 (2nd in Group E)
Still rolling strong and showing a lot of resilience, Schio are emerging as a dark horse that is riding into the light. Vibes of a couple of seasons ago when they made the last four. The difference-maker might just be their recent win at home to Bourges when they came back from the dead to take victory. Dorka Juhasz has come into form and this is huge as it gives them a very effective frontcourt with the underrated Jasmine Keys and the mobility and class of Janelle Salaun. If Ivana Dojkic can turn up the noise in the backcourt, then great things could happen.
5. Casademont Zaragoza (+3)
Season record: 5-3 (3rd in Group F)
Defense, Mariona Ortiz and El Castillo. That's the story of these past weeks for Zaragoza. Their ability to slow team's down and blunt their opponents' firepower has been extraordinary. Not least holding Reyer to less than 40 points in a critical road victory. While a big team effort, the composure, leadership and know how of playmaker Ortiz has been incredible. And, what about their own castle in Zaragoza - their fortress? Anything is possible with the backing of their tremendous fans and their home record shows this. A deserved jump up the rankings!
6. ZVVZ USK Praha (-2)
Season record: 4-5 (4th in Group F)
It's been a tough month or so for Praha who fall in the rankings after finding themselves holding an unwanted losing record. That downbeat fact is compounded by the loss of Maria Conde to injury - a blow at any time, but especially since she had been having arguably her best ever season in the competition. The rays of sunshine poking through the clouds is that they have at least confirmed their Play-Ins spot and will welcome the imminent return of the influential Teja Oblak. Natalia Hejkova needs a spark for her team - but where will it come from?
7. Tango Bourges Basket (-1)
Season record: 6-4 (3rd in Group E)
This ranking will probably feel the most harsh out of them all, since Bourges are well placed and have that 6-4 win record. However, they could and absolutely should now be 7-3 and locked for the Play-Ins. But they blew a glorious opportunity by collapsing in the last quarter at Schio when they had a huge lead. Those things can bite you at the elite level. But their most recent victory against rivals Landes was most welcome and impressive. Amy Okonwko continues to be one of the ballers of the season and they still have a great shot at making Final Six. Let's see!
8. Basket Landes (-1)
Season record: 5-5 (4th in Group E)
The new calendar year has seen a change in form for Basket Landes who had been coasting towards a glorious season at 5-2. But with three straight losses, the wheels are coming off. Not that this means the end of their journey - especially if they can halt the slump by beating Zabiny Brno. As had been anticipated, and is the case most seasons for the underdogs, scoring power is an issue - a big issue. Only Luisa Geiselsoder is posting a double-digit scoring return. It puts the defense under big pressure and sometimes even great D isn't quite enough.
9. Perfumerias Avenida (-)
Season record: 4-6 (5th in Group E)
It's cut and paste from the last time for Avenida, who are so up and down from game to game and even within games themselves. The backcourt still looks light offensively and after some roster changes, it might take time to settle down. Doing decent domestically, the step up in class in this competition is too much. We're loving the leadership of Laura Gil and impact of young gun Iyana Martin Carrion, but too many other players are below par.
10. Zabiny Brno (+1)
Season record: 3-7 (6th in Group E)
Perhaps fortunate to have moved up a place, but they did claim a home win against Basket Landes and were not far away from a victory at Avenida either. The one-two-three punch of Steph Kostowicz, Elissa Cunane and Eliska Hamzova continues to be a positive and effective thing, it's just the supporting cast have not been able to step up as needed. Their chances of making the Play-Ins are slim to say the least, but they've not completely evaporated.
11. Umana Reyer Venezia (-1)
Season record: 3-6 (5th in Group F)
It's been a painful few weeks and culminated in being held to less than 40 points by Zaragoza who locked Reyer down and swallowed the key. That kind of offensive struggle really does underline how so many of their leading lights have faded and are not able to consistently come up with the goods. There's mitigation in being in a really difficult Group F, but 39 points against Zaragoza at home? It's enough to justify them falling to 11th spot. Not good.
*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.
FIBA