EuroLeague Women Review: Week 9

MUNICH (EuroLeague Women) - Our women's basketball specialist Paul Nilsen gives us his take on all the EuroLeague Women action from Week 9 of the Regular Season.

HAVE ESBVA-LM IGNITED THEIR SEASON?

It was all about breathing some much-needed fire for Fred Dusart and his players as he demanded a reaction to their complete offensive suffocation at Bourges during Week 8.  

His team delivered with that fabulous 83-71 victory at home to Nadezhda, fuelled by an energetic display that was matched off the court and had the Palacium bouncing with joy.

Dusart said it was the clubs' best result historically and I assume he means in the competition and outside of their famous EuroCup Women title a couple of years ago.

I am not sure if such a statement is 'over-baking the cake' slightly, but after the debacle at Le Prado, I can understand the sentiment.

The question is whether the players can use this result as a launch-pad, because the coach was quite correct when he explained how ESBVA-LM are a very complicated and tricky opponent when they play like this. But without consistency, such nights will be the exception rather than the norm and that remains the real goal - delivering on a regular basis.

HOW FAR IS THE REACH OF BLMA?

On a great night for French basketball in the competition, I couldn't decide whether BLMA beating Fenerbahce 58-56 was a big surprise or not. After all,  head coach Valery Demory and his team were 5-3 heading into this game.

Their success against Fenerbahce was terrific and it came after beating Schio on their home floor too. Indeed aside from a horror show when they entertained Dynamo Kursk, could BLMA be showing signs that they are a team potentially punching its way to the Final Four?

After all, they have been winning silverware in France in recent times, have huge experience and are a true 'team' that is not overly reliant on one or two star players. More importantly, they are in a great position to make the post-season and now I am looking for them to push the likes of ZVVZ USK Prague for third place in the group. That may be overly ambitious on my part - but you have to aim high - right?

THE WEEKLY GONGS

Team Performance of the Week: It is so close to call between Hatay beating Avenida - along with those home wins for both BLMA and ESBVA-LM. I have to go with the latter. To produce a performance like that against Nadezhda after losing so badly at Bourges in their previous game showed great resolve and application from Coach Dusart and his players. Great job.

Individual Performance of the Week: It has to be Elodie Godin of BLMA to go up against her former Les Bleus team-mate Sandrine Gruda and come up with 15 points (from six-of-seven shooting), six rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Unsung Hero of the Week: Step forward young Alexia Chartereau of Tango Bourges Basket. While Clarissa Dos Santos wrote the headline in the 65-59 success at CCC Polkowice - what about the 10 points and zero turnovers in 18 minutes from the teenager? A very valuable contribution!

NUMBER CRUNCHING

- Two great veteran playmakers Laia Palau and Nilay Kartaltepe reached double digits in assists during a game for the second time this season with ZVVZ USK Prague and Mersin respectively.

- The 29 assists by UMMC at Sopron was the second highest by any team this season.

- Angel McCoughtry became the fifth players this season to grab six steals in a game when she completed the feat for Dynamo Kursk in Mersin. No player has snapped up seven - yet!

FOOTNOTES

- After their torrid opening to the season which was in stark contrast to the lively start of Avenida, it seems incredible that Hatay are now just one victory behind their Spanish rivals after beating them 68-64 in Antakya. Evidence of how quickly the EuroLeague Women tide can turn - in both directions!

- It's Avenida at home to ESBVA-LM during Week 10 and for the reasons above and earlier in my review, what a game that is going to be for both teams in the race to make the top four of the group!

You can follow Paul @basketmedia365

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