The Serbian connection dominates our top 10 talking points

MUNICH (EuroLeague Women) - A strong Serbian influence dominates the top 10 talking points from EuroLeague Women Week 8.

1. Serbia guard Nevena Jovanovic posts the best shooting performance of the entire season

It's been something of a slow burner at her new club and was overshadowed by the excellent Johanne Gomis, but injuries have given her the increased scope to show her quality. A no-brainer for Individual Performance of the Week with that simply staggering 11-of-12 shooting effort and 28 points for ESBVA-LM at CCC Polkowice.

2. Serbian ace Aleksandra Crvendakic causes agony for her former national team coach

The forward was excellent for Sopron with that 20 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists as the Hungarian side almost blew a 20-point lead at Galatasaray. The Sopron side also contain other Serbian talent in Jelena Milovanovic and Tina Jovanovic which made it worse for Galatasaray play-caller, Marina Maljkovic who took Serbia to Olympic bronze last year and that FIBA EuroBasket Women title in 2015.

3. Team Performance of the Week goes to Yakin Dogu Universitesi

They are now 7-1 and had to really show some guts having blown a 16-point lead at Schio. They eventually rode out 72-65 winners and yes they are stacked, but they are also showing they are the real deal and can win when the going gets tough.

4. Where was Nadezhda head coach, Maros Kovacik?

The play-caller was absent as Nadezhda dropped to 1-7 after yet another close loss- this time going down 66-64 at home to Fenerbahce.

5. Where has the real Bourges been all season?

Ever since half-time of their previous game against Sopron [losing by 10 and also 1-5] they have been scintillating! The form of Valeriane Ayayi has been instrumental in this, while in the 86-72 success against ZVVZ USK Praha, Cristina Ouvina posted her best game. Perhaps inspired by lining up against fellow Spanish guards, Marta Xargay and Leticia Romero?

6. Serbian magic again as Ana Dabovic delivers for the highlights reel

The Fenerbahce star served up this beauty to show she is a creator, as well as a scoring talent!

7. 'Captain Fantastic' Steinberga first to hit the 30 points mark

Even if it wasn't enough to carry Castors Braine to a shock win against Dynamo Kursk as they fell 72-60, Latvian standout Anete Steinberga was superb and posted the highest score of the EuroLeague Women season so far. 

8. Sandrine Gruda being back in EuroLeague Women 

She didn't have her best shooting night against Schio, but her presence for Yakin Dogu only highlighted their strength in depth. Gruda is world-class and will improve with every game to push her new side towards the coveted trophy!

9. The new way for coaches and clubs to reveal their starting fives on social media

We absolutely love it - can we make it compulsory for all clubs?

10. Kristi Toliver re-signing for UMMC Ekaterinburg

The former Slovak Republic national team playmaker brings her WNBA class back to Ekaterinburg where she has been for the last three seasons. It opens up questions about the fitness and form of Diana Taurasi, who has been struggling and did not play against Wisla.

All our talking points are selected by our women's basketball specialist Paul Nilsen. You can follow him @basketmedia365

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