Avenida drama, Mendez for Lange and class of Kursk headline top 10 talking points
MUNICH (EuroLeague Women) – A dramatic finish in Salamanca, a coaching change at UMMC and scorching play from Dynamo Kursk headline this week's top 10 EuroLeague Women talking points.
1. Avenida snatching victory from the jaws of defeat
Drama as @Fenerbahce lose in the last seconds as @LauraNicholls1 gets the winning bucket for @CBAvenida in a 65-64 win. The Blue Tide erupts! #EuroLeagueWomen #scenes pic.twitter.com/RXI4IJesSJ
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) January 17, 2018
It was already one of the games of the Regular Season even before the ending, which was thrilling for the neutral. From the drama of the offensive foul on Fenerbahce when they looked to have the game wrapped up, to the miss by Laura Nicholls and then her put-back, to Birsel Vardarli Demirmen almost dropping a buzzer-beater for Fenerbahce. An amazing game and great advert.
2. Olaf Lange leaving UMMC
breaking: Olaf Lange is no longer the coach of @BC_UMMC - yet to find out if this impacts on his role with @russiabasket as well! #EuroLeagueWomen #EuroBasketWomen pic.twitter.com/nB8DAbYV5c
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) January 17, 2018
It was more the timing of this decision that was a surprise, rather than the fact he did not see out the season. Of course family reasons have been cited, but with only a couple of titles returned in comparison to a mind-blowing financial outlay on the team, he was always under pressure. UMMC losing three Regular Season games for the first time in five years has not helped.
3. Miguel Mendez replacing Lange at UMMC
Felicidades! @miguelmmendez the new coach of @BC_UMMC - all good things come to those who wait. Have always liked this coach - welcome back to @EuroLeagueWomen - great to have you back in the competition! 💪💪💪 pic.twitter.com/C19drYuhXz
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) January 19, 2018
The former Schio and Rivas playcaller looks to be a smart appointment and on the face of it, he should do well. Although the pressure will be intense, he will not have much sympathy from anybody with the stellar lineup he has at his disposal - one that should also have Maya Moore in it next week!
4. Dynamo Kursk and that astonishing first quarter
Was that the best offensive quarter in #EuroLeagueWomen history 🤔?@KurskBasket went 15-of-17 from the field and finished it with 3⃣6⃣ points 🔥!@HelenaCiak @Piphdagreat10 @angel_35 @nnemkadi30 pic.twitter.com/xlQoIHmCSD
— EuroLeague Women (@EuroLeagueWomen) January 18, 2018
The opening quarter which the champions produced against Bourges Basket was jaw-dropping. This was against a club on a five-game winning streak and I really don't think I can remember a better and more slick team display during a period [against good opponents].
4. Sopron Basket making the Play-Offs
All smiles for @WBSopron as the 🇭🇺 side posted their best #EuroLeagueWomen season in years to confirm their place in the Quarter-Finals 🙌!
— EuroLeague Women (@EuroLeagueWomen) January 18, 2018
👉 https://t.co/u8yhJfavX2 pic.twitter.com/eJtfQvo49K
The appointment of Roberto Iniguez was always likely to lean towards success and even if Group A is less demanding than Group B, the 8-4 record of Sopron is very impressive. This is their best season since they made the Final Four all those years ago with a young Jelena Milovanovic on the team. It's just a shame she has that broken hand and can't enjoy this run now! It was nice to see Coach Iniguez dedicated the win to her!
5. Avenida posting the Team Performance of the Week
That is a HUGE lean back 3⃣ off the dribble from @MariaAsurmendi for @CBAvenida - love it 🔥🔥🔥🔥 #EuroLeagueWomen pic.twitter.com/XPno5kEfM5
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) January 17, 2018
It is important to note that it was not just about the thrilling ending. The significance of the result was huge. Avenida had lost three in a row and looked like another would drop them to 5-7. They were against a great opponent and a favorite to make the Final Four in the shape of high-flying Fenerbahce, so full credit for digging out that win!
6. The race for the Play-Offs and EuroCup Women Quarter-Finals intensifies
Things have been in danger of getting complicated and it might actually be next week [the penultimate week] when most things are decided. Just about every team still has something to play for which is terrific and teams who lost last week really did feel some pain.
7. Will Dabovic and Powers eventually shine together?
Great players in their own right and perhaps it is just coincidence, but it seems like either one is outstanding - or the other. But, very rarely do they both shine on the same night. Dabovic was hot against Avenida with 24 points and almost won them the game with some big input down the stretch. It is not something for Fener to worry about as they are doing great overall, but has become noticeable.
8. The magic of Pabellon Wurzburg and the best sixth man in EuroLeague Women?
Gracias afición,gracias equipo,noche mágica la de ayer!!! Sin descanso nos vamos a Zaragoza,otro bonito reto nos espera;la copa!!!#juntos #avenida #basketfem #torneounico 🏀🏀
— Maria Asurmendi (@MariaAsurmendi) January 18, 2018
📷 Fotones by @AlexAvenida pic.twitter.com/SvbZCdeeKi
It's perhaps not surprising Avenida had a poor run on the road recently, because they enjoy the home comforts more than any other team - who wouldn't with the 'Blue Tide' behind them? Avenida's fans make most game nights special with their numbers and the noise they make. Wednesday was another very special occasion and the surprise eruption at the end meant an unexpected mini-fiesta for the locals! They have got to be the best sixth man around?
9. Marija Rezan posting the Individual Performance of the Week
With everything else happening, it perhaps went off the radar just how important Prague's 72-59 win at ESBVA-LM actually was in a complicated Group A. It was built on the display of the Croatia ace who had a very nice 20-point and 15-rebound double-double.
10. Fate sealing those reunions
Laia Palau rolls back the years for @BourgesBasket - The legend has still got some serious game 🙌🙌🙌 #EuroLeagueWomen pic.twitter.com/QV5A3m9jI4
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) January 17, 2018
It is always the way that fate throws up many reunions and of course we had Laia Palau in her first road game back in EuroLeague Women facing Lucas Mondelo at Kursk who had just recalled her to the Spanish national team! Next week we will have Miguel Mendez of UMMC in his first game back in EuroLeague Women - and where is it? Only at his ex-employers, Famila Schio!
All of our talking points are selected by our women's basketball specialist Paul Nilsen. You can follow him @basketmedia365
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