EuroLeague Women Power Rankings, Volume 4

MUNICH (Germany) - With only a couple of games remaining of the EuroLeague Women Regular Season, it's time to check in with the a brand new volume of the Power Rankings.

Taking into account results and performances against expectations, the last scheduled games, as well as the third volume, here's how things are looking at the business end of the campaign.

1. Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding (-)

Season Record: 10-2

Find us someone that doesn't have Fenerbahce as the red-hot favorites. On a 10-game winning streak, Breanna Stewart now slotted in, Emma Meesseman on fire as the January MVP, plus Courtney Vandersloot ready to pull the strings, it would surely be a shock if they do not land a first title. Then again, remember how almost  everyone thought that was the case when they made the Final last season? However, with the so-called 'Head of the Snake' in situ aka 'Sloot' the last piece of the puzzle has been firmly inserted. 

2. Valencia Basket Club (+7) 

Season Record: 8-4

Could the last edition of the Power Rankings have been more wrong by saying consecutive games on the road would be a big problem? Valencia racked up four wins in a row on their travels and have now made history as first time Quarter-Finalists. They even sealed the deal without the injured Alba Torrens and this showed impressive resilience on top of the grit showed away from their home court. A great support, hugely ambitious and with decisive contributions from the likes of Marie Guelich, Lauren Cox, Queralt Casas and many others, this is a Valencia team that can dream big - not just during these next weeks, but beyond. 

3. ZVVZ USK Praha  (-)

Season Record: 8-4

It's been more of a bumpy ride for Praha than some had expected. Leaving them in third place in the rankings is generous after a worrying injury to Spanish wing Maria Conde. But, with Valeriane Vukosavljevic in great form, there is reason to be optimistic they can secure another Final Four ticket. It has been the same formula from past seasons. Two immense performers in Alyssa Thomas and Brionna Jones, plus a great backcourt leader in Teja Oblak as a core. But this is all countered by their very delicate and short rotation. It really could go either way if Conde is out.

The reigning champions have continued to rely heavily on veteran Jelena Brooks in their first season defending the title

4. Sopron Basket   (+1) 

Season Record: 8-4

What a difference a week makes! Having bounced back from what looked like a certain home loss to Spar Girona, the reigning champs headed to an Avenida side short on confidence and form, but were well beaten. That cost them the chance of booking a Quarter-Finals ticket with two games to spare. Yet overall, Sopron look almost guaranteed to be either 9-5 or 10-4 with Landes at home next. The big concern is the lack of backcourt production which feeds into less than 68 points per game. But, the defense is normally smart enough to cope with that pressure of being low scorers. With Jelena Brooks and Ezi Magbegor in the frontcourt, it's a solid foundation. 

5. CBK Mersin Yenisehir Bld (+3) 

Season Record: 8-4

Losing one of the best players in the world like Jonquel Jones might have sunk this ship, but instead it has stayed on course and the Final Four remains a potential destination. They have a new leader in Roberto Iniguez, their third playcaller of the season after he took over from the short-lived tenure of Ekrem Memnun. His previous relationship with the likes of Tiffany Hayes will be important and it's no coincidence another former player of his in DeWanna Bonner has now found top gear. There's no big reason they can't push for silverware - although they did have to dodge a major bullet at DVTK recently.

6. Beretta Famila Schio  (+1) 

Season Record: 8-4

An elusive Final Four place could be incoming for Schio. They will be a handful for any opponent in the Quarter-Finals. Nobody has beaten them on their own floor and that 6-0 record has been their launching pad for a good current position. Nobody has been spectacular on the roster, but Astou Ndour, Marina Mabrey, Jasmine Keys and Rhyne Howard have been the most consistent and regular contributors. Good in most stats categories as a team, important experience from Gio Sottana and Kim Mestdagh and well coached, this reflects their rock solid position in the rankings. But have they got that stardust needed to make the Final Four?

As a team, Bourges may need to step up their three-point shooting efforts if they want to reach the Final Four

7. Tango Bourges Basket   (-1)

Season Record: 7-5

Bourges have had so many exciting games and been in the scramble for the Quarter-Finals throughout. They're still in contention for what will be the last spot in Group A, with their contest against BC Polkowice looking like a possible decider. They have not shot the ball well collectively from downtown which continues to be an issue, but the plus points are plentiful. It includes their defense, team ethic, the leadership of Yvonne Anderson and Sarah Michel, the ongoing emergence of Pauline Astier and the solid backbone provided by frontcourt trio Anete Steinberga, Kayla Alexander and Elodie Godin. Will they do it?

8. Perfumerias Avenida  (-6)

Season Record: 7-5

It looked bleak when Avenida lost a bunch of consecutive game, including in overtime at lowly Basket Landes. With head coach Roberto Iniguez heading off to  Mersin, last year's Final Four participants looked in trouble. Their superb early season form and the feel good factor had evaporated. But the bleeding has stopped. A fabulous win against Sopron means the post-season is doable. So yes, a fall of six places because the wheels almost came off, but having since won two in a row, it feels like they're back on track. If Mariella Fasoula keeps playing well and Bridget Carleton can find her range again, it will be an exciting last two games versus DVTK and Girona.

9. Spar Girona  (+2) 

Season Record: 7-5

That's right, you can feel upset at not being above Avenida in this ranking if you are a Girona fan, since you are above them in the standings. However, two very tricky last games along with a fragile roster when it comes to offensive production is a concern. Brittney Sykes being added was a big boost, especially with losing Laura Cornelius. It's going to be an emotional finish and anything is possible right now. Ex head coach Roberto Iniguez will arrive back at the club with Mersin and Girona then head to arch rivals Avenida for the last game. Wow. Exciting times.

It's turning into a season of two halves for BC Polkowice

10. BC Polkowice   (-6)

Season Record: 7-5

The gas is maybe running out for the club that made absolutely everyone sit up and take notice in an outstanding first half of the season. Without a lot of depth and fuel in the tank, it's been more of a struggle of late with four losses in five games. Such backwards momentum is tough to stop. Losing experienced players like Sasa Cado to injury has hurt an already short rotation and Steph Mavunga also missed the last game. All is not lost because they might just go and beat Bourges in that crunch game and they did play better against Valencia - especially Artemis Spanou.

11. DVTK Hun-Therm  (+2)

Season Record: 6-6

If you want the true measure of just how well DVTK Hun-Therm have done in their first season, it almost feels like a disappointment they only have a .500 record. The biggest high came recently when they beat reigning champions and domestic rivals Sopron Basket in overtime. The fans have made it a great atmosphere every time, with both Cheridene Green and especially Arella Guirantes phenomenal A welcome addition to the competition, the season highlights will be well worth watching after so many close games.

12. Virtus Segafredo Bologna   (-2)

Season Record: 4-8

Reality has continued to bite Virtus throughout the season and after some high profile signings such as Iliana Rupert and Kitija Laksa, plus the continuation of Cecilia Zandalasini and Ivana Dojkic, few thought they would lose two out of every three games. It's a huge under performance and while there are some mitigating factors, the team has not delivered against expectation. It's too late to make the Quarter-Finals with some good late form and this terrific club with big ambitions have a lot of thinking and planning to do if they want to be more competitive in the future.

Ruth Hebard has been a consistent performer for Atomeromu KSC Szekszard this season

13. Atomeromu KSC Szekszard  (-1)

Season Record: 3-9

Things have unravelled in the second half of the season for Szekszard. Since they claimed a wonderful win against Virtus Segafredo Bologna in mid-December, it's been a six game losing skid - including going down in a big way to the previously winless Olympiacos SFP. They have not rebounded well enough and only Ruth Hebard has maintained consistent levels of performance. But is the glass half full or half empty? Cast your minds back to last season when they had a nightmare 0-14 rookie campaign and that might provide an answer. Yes, trebling their win tally is progress, but one more win from their last two outings would add even more satisfaction. 

14. Kangoeroes Mechelen   (-) 

Season Record: 2-10

A lot of pre-season doom merchants had Kangoeroes not getting a single win. Now they have  two after a nice victory on the road at fellow strugglers Basket Landes. Arvid Diels and his players have had a at least four more very close games which shows their competitiveness. Lisa Berkani is always fun to watch, Morgan Bertsch has been a rock and the experience of Ziomara Morrison has been important too. Their rookie campaign has been difficult as expected but they look to be emerging with a lot of credit - even more if they can squeeze out a third triumph during the last two weeks.

15. Basket Landes   (-) 

Season Record: 2-10

Cut and paste from the last edition of the Power Rankings. Underdogs who are now struggling to punch their weight and victims of their previous success. Light on numbers and the kind of quality most other teams have, Landes have continued to struggle and a fantastic win against Avenida was balanced out by the disappointment of that Mechelen defeat. Marine Fauthoux has showed she is a class act, but 61.3 points per game is just not enough as a team and a lack of scoring options has made it tough. 

16. Olympiacos SFP  (-)

Season Record: 1-11

Probably the less said the better in what has been a tough season for the Greek side. That pain is now almost over and at least they do have a victory to their name and have not repeated the winless campaign posted by KSC Szekszard last year. Nobody wants it endure that. It's also been been a cut and paste from Volume 2, with Megan Gustafson head and shoulders above everyone else and sometimes others contributing - but mostly not. 

Disclaimer: The power rankings are entirely subjective and is in no way a true, accurate ranking systems. All comments are purely those of the author.