EuroLeague Women Power Rankings: Volume 2

MUNICH (Germany) - We're three games into the new EuroLeague Women Regular Season and we've already seen enough to throw a second volume of the all-important Power Rankings into the mix. 

Considering the performances and results so far, as well as measuring this against the respective pre-season expectations of each club, plus taking into account mitigation such as absentees or injuries, here's how things are looking. 

1. Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding  (-)

Season Record: 3-0

Wow - that was a close call last week! The wheels almost came off when Fenerbahce were on the ropes at Casademont Zaragoza. Trailing and looking like they might suffer a surprise defeat, the positive was that champion spirit and grit needed for any title defense as they dug out a precious victory. The other positive has been Kayla McBride who looks unstoppable. Although the loss of Napheesa Collier was laid bare in that last game and they may need to return to her as an option later in the season to take the silverware again.

2. Virtus Segafredo Bologna   (+1) 

Season Record: 3-0

What's not to love right now? Unbeaten and unrecognizable from last season's team, they need just two more wins to match last year. Plenty of ballers have found a high gear, but it feels there's even more to come. Cecilia Zanadalasini is leading with maturity and class, Ivana Dojkic is turning up the offensive heat, Iliana Rupert is looking sharp again, Lauren Cox is a rock, Olbis Andre is in the ascendancy and unsung hero Franceca Pasa has almost 6 assists per game. Final Four material and to follow the feat of arch rivals Schio? Maybe. 

3. Valencia Basket Club (+4) 

Season Record: 2-1

We know, it's a super generous ranking! But there's this exciting sense that Final Four 2024 could have more than one first-timer and maybe we're getting swept up in that. Valencia will be back in the mix having just missed out last season. After their opening day defeat, sunshine has quickly replaced the clouds. Ominously for their rivals, they're winning despite nobody finding a rich vein of form. But they're deep and on any night, someone can hurt you. Mariue Guelich and Queralt Casas have arguably been the picks so far.

4. Cukurova Basketbol Mersin   (-2)

Season Record: 2-1

It's just not been convincing against the pre-season hype. Losing at home in the first game, scraping a win against Basket Landes and almost blowing a 20-point lead in Villeneuve shows they need to improve. But now they have lost Roberto Iniguez, one of the few champions coaches around, it might be even tougher as they look to adapt to a new playcaller at the helm. At least they will have Elizabeth Williams as a beast in the paint and Alina Iagupova does look like she is about to erupt any time soon. So seatbelts on!

5. ZVVZ USK Praha   (-)

Season Record: 2-1

They initially struggled and lost that second game having seen their backcourt leader Teja Oblak sidelined with an injury. However they bounced back in style last week with a huge win in Gyor and that showed they will be a challenger for their usual Final Four ticket. Especially if Ezi Magbegor continues playing so superbly. She's pushed the 'Beast Mode' button early! Another new arrival in Maite Cazorla is showing her value which is even more important with Oblak out, while Valeriane Vukosavljevic is impressing like always.

6. Beretta Famila Schio  (-)

Season Record: 2-1

Had they not lost to DVTK HUN-Therm, they'd be looking good at this juncture, but instead Schio now face a fight to avoid being 2-2 after this week's trip to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce. Scoring has been an issue so far and that is a concern. Arella Guirantes has settled in nicely and along with Julia Reisingerova has shot the ball decent. But the likes of Dorka Juhasz, Giorgia Sottana and Robyn Parks, are all capable of turning the offensive screw moving forwards. A solid but unspectacular start for last year's Final Four first-timers.

7. DVTK HUN-Therm  (+7) 

Season Record: 3-0

The big move upwards for the Miskolc-based club is representative of the fact that they're the headline story so far this season. Having had to come through the Qualifiers and with few stellar names on the roster like many other clubs, they're unbeaten and also playing some great team basketball which is based on defense and discipline. Their supporters are very noisy and this gives them a big lift at home, but beating Schio on the road showed they're not just a 'home team'. Darcee Garbin, Kaila Charles and Reka Lelik are leading the way.

8. KGHM BC Polkowice  (+1) 

Season Record: 2-1

The signing of Brittney Sykes has given Polkowice that extra edge, depth and impetus to push forwards and if they continue to play like they have done in the last couple of games, the Quarter-Finals would not be out of the question. Especially since they will presumably get Steph Mavunga back from injury which will be just as huge. But it's not all about their playmaker Sykes, since Brianna Fraser has done a great job, with Dragana Stankovic, Weronika Gajda and Zala Friskovec all playing positively and showing this team has quality.

9. Perfumerias Avenida  (-1)

Season Record: 2-1

Harsh. Harsh. Harsh. We feel your power rankings pain, Avenida fans. We hold our hands up and say we just couldn't squeeze you into that top eight and one club with a 2-1 record had to be outside of it. Perhaps it was an overreaction to the sight of star center and leading scorer Mariella Fasoula being helped off the court with a worrying injury. The positive news is that the team has shot the ball well, especially from outside and there is every chance of a top eight re-entry. We're also liking the work of Alexis Prince so far.

10. LDLC ASVEL Feminin (-7)

Season Record: 0-3

Yes, they've missed some leaders. But even without Gabby Williams, Marine Johannes and Juste Jocyte, ASVEL have the kind of roster packed with many international players that some clubs would kill for. It is not the 0-3 record alone that sees them tumble so far down, it's the alarming performances. Now they're under massive pressure. They have the quality to turn it around. But it won't just happen. Especially when you're bottom of the rebounding and steals charts. It will take more than the return of two top players.

11. Casademont Zaragoza (+1) 

Season Record: 1-2

They have provided a beautiful bursting breath of fresh air so far in the competition. With a great crowd, and a team led by a star baller on the rise in the form of Germany's Leonie Fiebich, there's lots to admire about the Spanish newcomers. Not least the fact they stormed to a maiden success at the first attempt, then almost claimed the prize scalp of reigning champions Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding last week. Tanaya Atkinson has also caught the eye, while the whole team has shot well and played positively for each other. 

12. Villeneuve d'Ascq (-1)

Season Record: 1-2

They could have been 0-3 had they not pulled off that incredible overtime win against Gyor. On their home floor they always look capable of winning games. Even when down 20 against Cukurova, they came roaring back but just couldn't get it done. Rachid Meziane is a great coach and they have such a baller in Kennedy Burke, but some inaccurate three-point shooting has made life tough. They need veteran Shavonte Zellous to find her range and Kamiah Smalls to re-discover her nice EuroCup Women form of last year. 

13. Basket Landes  (-3)

Season Record: 0-3

Taking domestic silverware by way of the French Cup of Champions seemed to bode well for Landes, but without a win, it is looking like it will be the usual season of relative struggle. Praha and Cukurova on the road was a tough start for sure, but that home loss to Polkowice really hurt. The good news is that the next three games present a chance of success and sparking their campaign into life. Alexis Peterson, Luisa Geiselsoder and Sam Fuehring have showed promise they can lift Landes to winning ways. But the time is now!

14. Serco UNI Gyor   (-1)

Season Record: 0-3

It's been a fascinating start for Gyor to life back at the top table. Without a win, they let a glorious chance of success slip through their fingers at Villeneuve when they lost in overtime. Since then, they have struggled to impose themselves or get into potentially winning positions, despite some sensational performances and numbers from Great Britain center, Kristine Anigwe, while rookie Diamond Miller looks a very nice addition. As a team, too many turnovers have hit them hard and they need a first win for confidence to flow.

15. Polski Cukier AZS UMCS Lublin   (-)

Season Record: 1-2

Based on their 1-2 record alone, it might look wrong that the Regular Season rookies are not higher placed. Certainly congratulations are in order for taking their first win in the competition last week. The fact it was against strugglers ACS Sepsi-SIC and also the fact that Lublin are shooting just 36 percent from the field and scoring a paltry 57 points per game explains why they're not higher up. Still, kudos to Channon Fluker, Elin Gustavsson and Shyla Heal for their encouraging starts and maybe there's even more to come.

16. ACS Sepsi-SIC   (-)

Season Record: 0-3

We hate to say we told you so. It's been a difficult leap from their elation at winning in the Qualifiers and making a first ever Regular Season, to now facing the brutal reality of life as a EuroLeague Women club. Ironically, you could argue that the Romanian champions have maybe had stronger rosters in recent years and their prospects of getting wins look slim. Chelsea Nelson must step up, Morgan Green must meet the challenge and Borislava Hristova will need to shoot the lights out, which is a big ask. It's already proving a tough campaign.

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