Game of the Week: Basket Landes out to re-energize campaign, Famila Schio seeking four in a row
MONT DE MARSAN (France) - With three defeats in four games, Basket Landes need to re-ignite their campaign and will face an in-form Beretta Famila Schio in the Game of the Week match-up.
MONT DE MARSAN (France) - With three defeats in four games, Basket Landes need to re-ignite their campaign and will face an in-form Beretta Famila Schio on Thursday, in the Game of the Week match-up.
The reigning French champions head into this clash with the additional motivation of wanting to avenge an opening-day capitulation in Italy. Home advantage and the fan support in Mont de Marsan will be precious for coach Julie Barennes and her team, having already taken wins against VBW Arka Gdynia and Dynamo Kursk on their home floor.
Meanwhile Beretta Famila Schio are on a roll and will be eager to continue their impressive momentum as they chase a fourth consecutive victory. Their recent wins have included eye-catching successes against Istanbul duo Galatasaray and Fenerbahce Safiport, while they also recently bolstered their roster and made a statement of intent with the addition of Diamond DeShields.
The live broadcast of the game between Basket Landes and Beretta Famila Schio will be freely available on the EuroLeague Women YouTube channel, as well as on Facebook, at 19:00 CET on Thursday, December 9.
Form guide: Basket Landes sit in 6th spot in Group B with a 3-4 record, with the bonus of knowing that if they can get a win, they would then have the same record as their rivals, since third-placed Famila Schio head into the contest 4-3. Domestically, Landes are 5-3 in league action, with Schio 9-0 and the only unbeaten side in the Italian top flight.
Last meeting: It was a first day nightmare for Basket Landes as they crashed 96-56 on the road. No fewer than six different Schio players amassed double-digit scoring returns, including Sandrine Gruda who had 13 points and an eye-popping 19 boards.
Marianna Tolo might be tasked with trying to slow down EuroLeague Women MVP for November, Sandrine Gruda
Key matchup: This past week has all been about experienced Schio center Sandrine Gruda after she was named EuroLeague Women MVP for November, prior to moving to second in the list of modern-era EuroLeague Women leading scorers. Taking into account her form, the fact she was so good in the first meeting and that she is back in her native France for this game, all eyes will be on her. It is likely that Marianna Tolo and Regan Magarity will be tasked with slowing her down, and that is going to be compelling viewing.
X-factor: While a big focus might be on the inside threat posed by Gruda, Basket Landes will be acutely aware that they need to have an effective strategy to disrupt Schio on the three-point line. Currently the Italian club are lighting it up and shooting almost 40 percent from long range. How Basket Landes counteracts that and is also able to turn up their own productivity from a modest 28 percent could be key. The other 'X-Factor' will be whether both Sophie Cunningham and Celine Dumerc are able to play for Landes after missing the game against Bourges this past weekend, due to their respective injuries.
Tuesday, December 7
Group A
MBA Moscow V Perfumerias Avenida - 17:00 CET
Wednesday, December 8
Group A
UMMC Ekaterinburg v TTT Riga - 15:00 CET
KSC Szekszard v Umana Reyer - 18:00 CET
ZVVZ USK Praha v BLMA - 18:00 CET
Group B
VBW Arka Gdynia v Dynamo Kursk - 18:00 CET
Thursday, December 9
Group B
Sopron Basket v Spar Girona - 18:00 CET
FIBA