EuroLeague Women Preview: Wednesday 14 December
ORENBURG (EuroLeague Women) – There are seven games to on Wednesday as we head into Week 6 of EuroLeague Women, which is the last of the current calendar year.
ORENBURG (EuroLeague Women) – There are seven games to enjoy on Wednesday as we head into Week 6 of EuroLeague Women, which is the last of the current calendar year.
The standout game is a repeat of the 2016 Final in Istanbul, as the perfect record of Nadezhda is put to the ultimate test when reigning champions UMMC Ekaterinburg arrive in Orenburg.
While ‘T’ is for Taurasi when it comes to the visitors who look capable of taking it to another level with their prize asset, it's teamwork that has served Nadezhda well this season.
Last year, their stunning and historic run to the title game was built around a phenomenal contribution from the now departed DeWanna Bonner. This season and after a roster overhaul in the summer, their flawless 5-0 record has been registered in a very different way.
A great team spirit and multiple contributions have helped them to continually dig out results - ones such as their last victory on the road at Bourges.
"I'm happy with my team and this year we have a homogeneous roster," acknowledged head coach, Roberto Ingiuez.
"We don't have one big scorer dominating the rest of the team.
"It means that we really have to play together and that is what we did [at Bourges] when we had a difficult game against a tough competitor."
Bourges will have to pull out a big win in Salamanca if they are to recover and avoid a fourth straight defeat, while CCC Polkowice are still searching for a first win as they head to ESBVA-LM. Maros Kovacik was unable to get the Polish side off the mark as he made a return to the competition last week in a home loss to Hatay BSB. But, he isn't too downhearted as he feels his new side are heading in the right direction.
"Nobody is happy if you lose a game, but I am proud of my team because we have improved," said the play-caller.
"If you have a new coach, you need time to bring some changes. We are practicing hard and we're on a good path.
"We just need some time, to be patient and I'm sure it will be good for us in the future," he added.
Meanwhile in Group A, it's another tricky road test for 2015 champions ZVVZ USK Prague as they head to Istanbul to face a Fenerbahce team that will be stinging from their first domestic setback last weekend.
It was Mersin who completed that victory in the Turkish League and that should hand them some much-needed confidence as they head to Krakow to face Wisla Can-Pack, still in pursuit of a belated maiden win in the competition. But they will be without Melissa Coleman who was stretchered off the court in their game against Fenerbahce.
Elsewhere, two Spanish play-callers go up against each other when Miguel Mendez and his Beretta Famila Schio side entertain the unbeaten Lucas Mondelo and Dynamo Kursk. And, after snapping their 28-game losing streak in European club competition, CMB Cargo Uni Gyor will look to follow it up with another positive outcome in a home clash with BLMA.
Group A
Fenerbahce v ZVVZ USK Prague
Uni Gyor v BLMA
Wisla Can-Pack v Mersin
Famila Schio v Dynamo Kursk
Group B
Nadezhda v UMMC Ekaterinburg
ESBVA-LM v CCC Polkowice
Perfumerias Avenida v Tango Bourges
FIBA