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EuroLeague Round 1 October 11th

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October 11, 2017

All games in the opening round were played on Wednesday.

Group A:

Sopron started their campaign well with a 72-55 win over Galatasaray in Hungary.  Sonja Petrovic provided some early added punch to defending champions Dynamo Kursk as they beat Antonia Delaere and Castors Braine 84-68 in Russia.  USK Praha prevailed over Bourges 64-61 in the Czech Republic.  It took a strong second half in Villeneuve for the other French team in the group to win as they beat Polkowice 65-60.

Sopron vs. Galatasaray 72-55 SOPR Crvendakic 17/8r Turner 15 Jovanovic 11/12r Milovanovic 11/6r Langhorne 10/6r Salvadores 6/6r GALA Dubljevic 15/7r Epoupa 13/6r Quigley 10 Van Grinsven 0

Dynamo Kursk vs. Castors Braine 84-68 KURS Petrovic 26 Ciak 11 McCoughtry 8/8r Prince 3 Cruz 2/6a CAST Delaere 20 Malashenko 12 Steinberga 8/10r Trahan-Davis 7/6r Jones 0

ZVVZ USK Praha vs. Bourges 64-61 ZVVZ Xargay 19/6r/7a Zahui B 15/9r Hanusova 13 Romero 4 BOUR Chartereau 13 Ayayi 10 Ouvina 10 Plouffe 7 Tchatchouang 7 Sharp 3

ESBVA-LM vs. CCC Polkowice 65-60 ESBV Gomis 13 Leedham 11/9r Verin 0 CCC Clark 18/11r Holmes 18 Spanou 3/8r Dikaioulakou 2

Group B:

The day started with a first look at a full strength UMMC side as they beat Wisla 79-68 in Russia despite the best efforts of Maurita Reid.  The storyline that emerged before the games played out in Istanbul.  Nadezhda only ended up dressing eight players, only handing time to seven of them as they put up a credible fight against Fenerbahce before losing 67-61.  Jolene Anderson was a late arrival after sorting out the paperwork as she nearly led Schio to a win, but Kayla McBride and Yakin Dogu University held on 67-64.  Avenida completely stifled Lattes 64-34 in Spain.

UMMC Ekaterinburg vs. Wisla Can-Pack 79-68 UMMC Griner 18 Meesseman 12 Torrens 10/6r Sanders 10/6r Baric 7/6a Taurasi 7 Belyakova 6 WIS Reid 24 Rodriguez 15 Parker 12 Greinacher 7 Antic 0

Fenerbahce vs. Nadezhda 67-61 FENE Verameyenka 12/12r Plum 11 Vaughn 11 Dabovic 11 Cora 10 Canitez 4 NADE Maiga 13/8r Ygueravide 13 Cherepanova 11

Yakin Dogu Universitesi vs. Famila Schio 67-64 YDUB McBride 20/6r Vandersloot 16/7a Wauters 10 Cakir 7 Hollingsworth 6/16r Mestdagh 0 SCHI Anderson 18/6r Yacoubou 8/7r Zandalasini 5 Ress 4/6r Masciadri 3 Macchi 0

Perfumerias Avenida vs. BLMA 64-34 AVEN Elonu 16 Moss 8 Robinson 7/9r De Souza 6/7r Givens 6 Abdi 6 Quevedo 4 BLMA Hurt 14/6r Kobryn 8

SuperCup Recap October 5th

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October 5, 2017

The SuperCup was played on Thursday with the EuroLeague and EuroCup winners from last season squaring off in a single game in Kursk.  Dynamo Kursk had strengthened their team from last year in a bid to repeat while Yakin Dogu Universitesi looked to continue building from their success and to announce themselves as contenders to being among the top teams in Europe.  Each team was missing a player due to the WNBA Finals, but it was a good game throughout as the hosts built their lead in the second half and won 84-73.  Adding Sonja Petrovic to a strong roster could be critical late in the season as she led the way in this game and Angel McCoughtry made her return from resting.

Dynamo Kursk vs. Yakin Dogu Universitesi 84-73 KURS Petrovic 20/10r McCoughtry 18 Prince 14 Ciak 10 Cruz 0 YDUB Hollingsworth 19/6r Vandersloot 18/6r/10a McBride 13 Wauters 12/7r Cakir 3

EuroLeague Qualifiers Game 2 September 29th-October 3rd

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The first series continued on Friday.  Polkowice had a big lead as they headed home and they took care of business with a 76-60 win stretching the final margin to 147-106.  They will play in Group A of the main competition while Piestanske Cajky drops to Group D of EuroCup.  The final team in Group B was decided on Tuesday.  Szekszard had the better start, but BLMA controlled the last three quarters in Lattes with Courtney Hurt leading the way to win 86-71 and overturn the first game deficit and advance 165-151.  The Hungarian side now heads to Group H in EuroCup.

September 29, 2017

CCC Polkowice vs. Piestanske Cajky 76-60 CCC Plaisance 12/6r Sandric 11 Clark 9 Holmes 9 Spanou 7 Dikaioulakou 5/7a PIES Smith 11/8r Slamova 11 Jakubcova 10

CCC Polkowice advances 147-106

October 3, 2017

BLMA vs. KSC Szekszard 86-71 BLMA Hurt 20/9r Bar 18 Kobryn 15 Bankole 14 SZEK McCall 19 Krnjic 12 Oblak 10 Erkic 10

BLMA advances 165-151

EuroLeague Qualifiers Game 1 September 26th

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September 26, 2017

Both qualifying series were actually needed this year as the first games were played on Tuesday.  An exciting game in Hungary went to hosts Szekszard 80-79 as Erica McCall made her overseas debut.  The combination of Giorgia Sottana and Courtney Hurt helped the visitors keep the margin close, which should give them a solid chance in a week’s time when the series moves to Landes.  After Polkowice’s return to the big stage last season, they were taking no chances this year and overwhelmed Piestanske Cajky early behind Theresa Plaisance to leave Slovakia with a 71-46 win and a likely path to qualification after the game at home on Friday.  Ivana Jakubcova made her return to Europe in the loss.

Szekszard vs. BLMA 80-79 SZEK Oblak 19 Krnjic 12/7r Studer 12/6a McCall 11 Erkic 10/6a BLMA Sottana 21 Hurt 20/6r Kobryn 10/7r

Piestanske Cajky vs. CCC Polkowice 46-71 PIES Palenikova 14 Bartakova 10/6r Smith 6/6r Jakubcova 0 Boyd 0 CCC Plaisance 21/7r Clark 13 Spanou 8/6r

EuroLeague and EuroCup 2017-18 Group Draws

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July 4, 2017

After the announcement of the teams last week, the draws were conducted for the upcoming seasons of both EuroLeague and EuroCup.

EuroLeague:

The strength of this season’s competition has been shown by this draw.  Group B should present a large number of big clashes, especially if Lattes Montpellier wins their qualifier, creating a situation where all eight teams will enter the season expecting a top four finish.  The highlight of the draw should be the two games that will be a rematch of the Turkish league finals between EuroLeague finalists Fenerbahce and EuroCup champions Yakin Dogu University.  Fenerbahce will also have to face UMMC Ekaterinburg twice in a rematch of a gripping semifinal encounter.  Besides the two Turkish and two Russian teams, Group B seems likely to include the powerhouses from Poland, France, Italy, and Spain.  Defending champions Dynamo Kursk has a slightly easier draw in Group A, but the rest of the teams will be emboldened to think that they could advance far in the competition.  Two French teams were drawn into this group with Villeneuve and Bourges likely to provide entertainment in their two clashes.  USK Prague is set up to have another good season here and could be set up for a Final Four run.  Castors Braine and Galatasaray are returning to the competition and could not ask for a better chance to make some noise.  Sopron and the qualifier winner will also believe that they can find wins against the other teams.  The competition should start in entertaining fashion when it kicks off in October.

A: Castors Braine (Belgium), USK Prague (Czech Republic), Winner Piestanke Cajky (Slovakia)-Polkowice (Poland), Sopron (Hungary), Galatasaray (Turkey), Villeneuve (France), Bourges (France), Dynamo Kursk (Russia)
B: Wisla (Poland), Fenerbahce (Turkey), Winner Atomeromu (Hungary)-Lattes Montpellier (France), Yakin Dogu University (Turkey), Schio (Italy), Avenida (Spain), Nadezhda Orenburg (Russia), UMMC Ekaterinburg (Russia)

EuroCup:

The field will be complete after the results of four qualifiers, but this tournament is set up to be very competitive once again.  With an increase to five groups in both the east and west, it would have been have been better if the draw could have been arranged to keep teams from the same countries apart, but it has still set up some games that should be watched.  The Group E games between the two Turkish university teams and the clashes in Spain between Gernika and Girona should be good rivalry games.

A: Olympiacos (Greece), TTT Riga (Latvia), Besiktas (Turkey), Gorzow (Poland)
B: Enisey Krasnoyarsk (Russia), Mersin (Turkey), Good Angels Kosice (Slovakia), MBK Ruzomberok (Slovakia)
C: MBA Moscow (Russia), Umea (Sweden), Spartak Moscow (Russia), Bydgoszcz (Poland)
D: Torun (Poland), Hatay (Turkey), Loser Piestanke Cajky (Slovakia)-Polkowice (Poland), Sepsi (Romania)
E: Sleza Wroclaw (Poland), Istanbul University (Turkey), Abdullah Gul University (Turkey), Winner Gdynia (Poland)-Spartak Noginsk (Russia)
F: DVTK (Hungary), Keltern (Germany), Pecs (Hungary), Charleville (France)
G: Landes (France), Gernika (Spain), Girona (Spain), Cegled (Hungary)
H: Loser Atomeromu (Hungary)-Lattes Montpellier (France), GDES Santo Andre (Portugal), Nymburk (Czech Republic), Virtus Ragusa (Italy)
I: Reyer Venezia (Italy), KP Brno (Czech Republic), Wasserburg (Germany), Elfic Fribourg (Switzerland)
J: Nantes (France), Winner Hainaut (France)-Amsterdam Angels), Gyor (Hungary), Namur (Belgium)

EuroLeague and EuroCup 2017-18 Teams Announced (Details Inside)

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June 27, 2017

FIBA announced the participants for EuroLeague and EuroCup for the upcoming season on Tuesday.  As was the case last season, there were more applicants than available spots, meaning that qualifying games will be scheduled.  Teams will find out the groups for each competition next week when the draw is conducted.

EuroLeague:

18 teams applied for the 16 EuroLeague places.  The teams that will definitely be in the competition include the usual trio of Russian teams, defending champions Dynamo Kursk as well as UMMC Ekaterinburg and Nadezhda Orenburg.  Galatasaray’s strong regular season in Turkey gave them the chance to earn back their spot, joining Fenerbahce and domestic and EuroCup winners Yakin Dogu University.  The extra teams mean that only Villeneuve and Bourges qualify directly from France.  6 countries earned an automatic spot with some traditional powers returning as Avenida represents Spain, Schio represents Italy, Sopron represents Hungary, Wisla represents Poland, and ZVVZ USK Prague represents the Czech Republic.  Castors Braine returns to represent Belgium.

The remaining 2 spots have already had their qualifying format determined.  Lattes Montpellier of France will look to increase French representation, but they will have an interesting series against an Atomeromu team that impressed in Hungary.  Polkowice also looks to return, but the Polish team will have to navigate past a real upstart as Piestanske Cajky is the surprise new entry from Slovakia.  Qualifiers will be played in a home and home format with the team mentioned first hosting the second game.  The losing teams will drop down to EuroCup for their regular season.  In the past, some qualifiers have been cancelled due to teams pulling out, so it will remain to be seen whether these high stakes games will be played. [Read more…]

2017 Euroleague Championship Highlights!

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April 17, 2017

On Sunday Russian League’s Dynamo Kursk won their first Euroleague Women’s championship. Kursk capped an undefeated Euroleague season with a win over Turkey’s Fenerbahce. Angel McCoughtry lead the way scoring 20 points against her former team and was named MVP of the Final Four. Nneka Ogwumike finished with a double double of 19 points and 10 rebounds and  Epiphanny Prince filled up the stat sheet with 18 points, seven assists and four steals.

EuroLeague Final April 16th

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Dynamo Kursk celebrate their first Euroleague Championship. Angel McCoughtry was named the Final Four MVP.

April 16, 2017

Sunday’s festivities started with the 3rd place game.  UMMC at least gave the fans one win by controlling the second half to beat USK Praha 68-63 which served as good preparation for a tough domestic league finals series coming soon.  That set the stage for an intriguing final matchup.  Fenerbahce had the momentum from their last game and they started brightly.  Dynamo Kursk then showed why they had won every game in the competition as they fought their way back into a lead, withstanding one final charge to win 77-63.  Angel McCoughtry was the deserved MVP after two big games to get her team the trophy. Nneka Ogwumike played the entire game for the victors after being limited by foul trouble in the semifinal.  The teams now have domestic league titles to focus on before their seasons end.

3rd Place Game:

ZVVZ USK Praha vs. UMMC Ekaterinburg 63-68 ZVVZ Petrovic 19/7r Dupree 16/7r Vaughn 6 Burgrova 5 Xargay 4 UMMC Toliver 18 Meesseman 16/12r Griner 13/6r Baric 7 Taurasi 5 Lyttle 4 Torrens 3 Belyakova 0 Nolan 0

Final:

Dynamo Kursk vs. Fenerbahce 77-63 KURS McCoughtry 20 Ogwumike 19/10r Prince 18/7a Cruz 5 FENE Quigley 19 Parker 18 Lavender 7/9r Gruda 5 Canitez 0

EuroLeague Semifinals April 14th

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April 14, 2017

The Final Four started on Friday in Ekaterinburg.  The hosts were up first against a Fenerbahce team entering the weekend with some changes.  The visitors found their stride in the second half and Jantel Lavender helped them pull the 70-61 upset.  Diana Taurasi was left trying to carry UMMC again as she has had to do an unexpectedly large number of times this season, but it was not enough.

The second game ended up being even better as Dynamo Kursk put its undefeated record on the line against a USK Praha team with a history of grinding out results when they mattered.  The game did not disappoint as it became a war of attrition at the end heading into overtime. Kursk was able to grind out a tough win and secure a final spot with an 87-80 win.   As expected, Angel McCoughtry led her team while Candice Dupree had a monumental effort for USK in the loss as several stars struggled with foul trouble and general ineffectiveness. T

The third place game on Sunday will provide interesting storylines as UMMC and USK Praha have had their share of dramatic finishes between them in recent years. UMMC are in desperate need of some momentum headed into the domestic league finals.  The championship game will be a contrast between the steady results of a great season for Dynamo Kursk and the late season changes that have helped get Fenerbahce to this point.

Fenerbahce vs. UMMC Ekaterinburg 70-61 FENE Lavender 21/10r Quigley 17 Verameyenka 13/6r Gruda 5/7r Parker 4/15r UMMC Taurasi 26 Baric 11 Griner 7/7r Toliver 7 Lyttle 6 Meesseman 2 Nolan 2 Torrens 0

Dynamo Kursk vs. ZVVZ USK Praha 87-80(OT) KURS McCoughtry 28 Vadeeva 18/8r Cruz 9 Prince 6 Ogwumike 5/7r ZVVZ Dupree 39/13r Xargay 16 Petrovic 6 Vaughn 4/7r Steinberga 1

Watch 2017 EuroLeague Women Final Four Live!

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April 14, 2017

The stage is set for the Euroleague Women’s Final Four and you can catch all of the action live…while at work. Four powerhouses made their way to The first of two semi-final games has defending Euroleague champions UMMC Ekaterinburg taking on Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce. Both teams are stacked with WNBA talent as UMMC is home to Phoenix Mercury stars Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner. Also suiting up for the Russian powerhouse are Sancho Lyttle and Kristi Toliver. Fenerbahce is lead by 2016 WNBA champions Candace Parker and Jantel Lavender. Sandrine Gruda and Allie Quigley are also a huge part of Fenerbahce’s success. Follow all the action live here.

The second semi-final game pits another Russian squad Dynamo Kursk against former Euroleague champions USK Praha. Kursk is led by another WNBA champion Nneka Ogwumike along with Atlanta Dream forward Angel McCoughtry and Liberty guard Epiphanny Prince. USK boosts a roster with the likes of Candice Dupree and Kia Vaughn. You can watch the second semi-final game here.