MUNICH (Germany) – As we head into what promises to be another exhilarating and absorbing season of EuroCup Women, we check out some of the key things to watch out for in 2019-20.

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 Medalists

There will be a string of players in the competition who all stood on the podium at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 in Belgrade. These include gold medal winners such as Silvia Dominguez, Laura Gil (pictured), Andrea Vilaro, Queralt Casas, Tamara Abalde Diaz and Maria Pina of Spain. Plus Bria Hartley, Endene Miyem and Sara Chevaugeon of France, with Nikolina Milic and Dragana Stankovic of Serbia also stepping out. 

It's truly Euro-wide

There  is no other competition with quite as much diversity across the continent. It is something that is facilitated by a massive 40 clubs in the Regular Season, who are split into two different Conferences and it will mean up to 16 different nations having their basketball flag flown in the tournament.

Expect The Unexpected

This competition has an amazing record of returning different winners. Six different clubs have been crowned champions during the past six editions, with nine different winners during the last 10 years. That makes it a near impossible tournament to predict, adding even more excitement into the mix as we head into the new campaign.

Sister Acts

There will be a number of siblings competing  this season, which will add an extra dimension to proceedings. We have two sets of sisters from Belgium alone, with Kim Mestdagh ready to suit up for Carolo Basket and Hanne Mestdagh with Namur. Future Belgian Cats Billie and Beckey Massey will continue to play alongside each other for Basket Hema SKW. However, perhaps the most anticipated sister act is going to be WNBA duo Katie-Lou Samuelson who will  play her first ever season overseas at Carolo Basket, while sister Karlie will also make her EuroCup Women debut wearing the famous vest of Perfumerias Avenida.

First-Timers

 
One of the most famous aspects of EuroCup Women is that each new season we traditionally get to welcome new clubs to the competition every year and 2019-20 is no different. The likes of Herner TC, Roche Vendee, KBF Prishtina, Valencia, Cadi La Seu and Voo Liege Panthers will all make their respective debuts.

Double Injection of EuroLeague Women Quality

There will be a double-dose of additional quality administered since those losing clubs in the EuroLeague Women Qualifiers will join the Regular Season of EuroCup Women. As if the tournament wasn't fierce enough already, this competition will welcome Botas SK or Arka Gdynia, Olympiacos or BLMA and DVTK Miskolc or Reyer Venezia. Then, as we head towards the business end of the competition, four EuroLeague Women teams will parachute in for the EuroCup Women Quarter-Finals.

Go-Time Again For The Young Guns

EuroCup Women will retain its status as the competition where the vast majority of rising stars first cut their teeth at the top level and the competition continues to play a significant and valuable role in the evolution of many talented young players. Somewhere near the top of this year's list is the sensational Hungarian teenager Reka Dombai who has made the switch to Uni Gyor and will debut in the competition.

Extraordinary Performances

You can take the money to the bank with this one! Over the years, we have seen some sensational numbers from so many players and you can expect the same jaw-dropping production again. Last season Alexis Prince of Tarbes and Sami Whitcomb of BLMA both had 40+ point games, with the latter also draining 10 triples in the process. Dora Medgyessy of DVTK had a 17-assist and 16-assist game, Dragana Stankovic of Artego Bydgoszcz had a rare 7 blocks in one of her outings, while Stephanie Mavunga posted one of the most monumental double-doubles in recent history with 23 points and  a 13 of 14 shooting display in the same contest for Enisey Krasnoyarsk.

Two-Legged Drama - It's Never Over Until It's Over!

Once the Regular Season is in the books, we can enjoy the spectacle of two-legged ties during the knockout phases and including the Final itself. What has been amazing over the years is the number of times that a EuroCup Women tie looks done and dusted, with teams holding huge leads of even 20+ but then succumbing in the return game. It changes the mentality and is a fascinating dynamic that always throws up surprises and drama. Last year for example,  it was Spar CityLift Girona involved in so many incredible games including a particularly memorable thriller with KSC Szekszard. 

Several Former Champions

This is the 18th edition of the competition and several former winners will participate this season, including Galatasaray (2018), Ramla (2011) and Sparta&K M.R Vidnoje (2006) – while the likes of Nadezhda (2019), Bourges Basket (2016), Dynamo Kursk (2012), Famila Schio (2008) could also drop in via EuroLeague Women.

FIBA