Beat The Expert: Six in a row for DVTK or will Valencia end the Cinderella story?
MUNICH (Germany) - EuroLeague Women action is back after the international window and one of the big talking points is whether underdogs DVTK HUN-Therm can continue their unbeaten streak?
MUNICH (Germany) - EuroLeague Women action is back after the international window and one of the big talking points is whether the darlings of the campaign DVTK HUN-Therm can continue their remarkable unbeaten streak?
They host Valencia Basket Club in our Game of the Week and with seven other fixtures to be enjoyed on Wednesday night, there's an exciting feast of basketball lying in wait.
We also get to press the play button on our 'Beat the Expert' game, with all fans having the chance to cast their votes, while host and presenter Giulia Zecchini steps in as our weekly guest.
Game of the Week: DVTK HUN-Therm vs Valencia Basket Club
It's been a real fairytale ride for the Miskolc-based DVTK HUN-Therm. Having enjoyed a memorable rookie season in 2022-23 and having since navigated their way through the Qualifiers for the current campaign, they are sat on a staggering 5-0 flawless start. Their team ethic, discipline and defense has shone through, but after the recent pause in action, can they pick up where they left off and extend their remarkable unbeaten run?
Meanwhile, Valencia Basket Club have had an up and down season. Opening up with a loss they won three games in a row before recording what was arguably their worst display so far as they were soundly beaten last time out against Spanish rivals Casademont Zaragoza.
You can watch the live broadcast of the game between DVTK HUN-Therm and Valencia Basket Club with commentary on the EuroLeague Women YouTube channel on Wednesday, November 22 at 18:00 CET.
Key matchup: Reka Lelik and Queralt Casas were crowned as MVPs for their respective nations during the recent FIBA Women's EuroBasket Qualifiiers. That illustrates how both are in great form and could be vital for their teams in this crunch meeting.
Lelik was super for Hungary with all-action performances and that mirrors how she has done the business for DVTK all season long. Top scorer and efficient in other areas, she makes the team tick in many ways. Similarly, Casas turned up the dial in a Spanish vest and Valencia need her to stay in a high gear so they can get back to winning ways. Her defense on Lelik if she is given the task of guarding her could be vital.
Predictions: The Expert vs Giulia Zecchini
Each week our resident EuroLeague Women expert Paul Nilsen faces a different guest challenger in our prediction game. Fans also have the chance to show their prediction skills in the voting below. The first five weeks of action have seen our expert managing to just about stay out in front in the race.
Our guest for Week 6 is Giulia Zecchini, a host and broadcaster who has worked on EuroLeague Women and other projects including the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. Giulia is also the co-founder of Sneaker Sisterhood, a female community focused on empowering women in the fashion scene.
Do you have what it takes?
Predict the winners of this week's games below!
Season predictions so far:
The Expert: 34/40 (85.0%)
The Guest: 30/40 (75.0%)
The Fans: 31/40 (77.5%)
Number of the Week: 8.8
There is no denying that reigning champions Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding are favorites to retain their title because of the quality and depth of their squad. However, the Istanbul giants have also done an incredible job in looking after the ball and are playing so tight. They have only spilled the ball 8.8 times per game and that is almost 4 less turnovers than anyone else - a very impressive stat in a competition as intense and fierce as this.
Question of the Week: Can the return of Marine Johannes save ASVEL's season?
After missing the first give games of the campaign and with LDLC ASVEL Feminin still winless, is the long-awaited return of Marine Johannes going to spark the French side into life? Will she do the business to get that overdue first win on the board and more widely, is it too late or can ASVEL still make a late run to the Quarter-Finals?
Let us know what you think in the poll below!
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