Can Pierre Vincent get Beretta Famila Schio knocking on the Final Four door?
SCHIO (EuroLeague Women ) – With the experienced Pierre Vincent in situ as the new head coach of Beretta Famila Schio, there is a sense of optimism that the French playcaller might be able to propel Beretta Famila Schio towards a deep run in the competition.
History: Established as the leading club in Italy, Schio are about to enter their 10th straight season in the competition and their 12th in the last 13 years – only missing out when they played in EuroCup Women 2008 and finished top of the pile. In terms of EuroLeague Women, they have consistently made the Play-Offs, but have always struggled to make that last step towards the Final Four. Two of their greatest moments came during 2001 and 2002 when they secured successive Ronchetti Cup silverware.
Major arrivals: Head coach Pierre Vincent, Eva Lisec, Francesca Dotto.
Major departures: Giorgia Sottana, Nuria Martinez, Martina Bestagno.
Players to watch: The new marquee star is Cecilia Zandalasini who has erupted in the past 12 months into something of a bonafide global star via her performances for club and country, as well as making it to the WNBA with Minnesota Lynx. Stopping her when she is feeling it can be a challenge for the opponents of Schio because of her all-around scoring ability and new-found willingness to impose her impressive physicality on games.
On the topic of physical, there are few better and more experienced combos under the basket than returning French pair Isabelle Yacoubou and Endene Miyem. Although the 'X-Factor' game of Jolene Anderson is always a big determining aspect to Schio's success and how she combines court-time with Zandalasini will be interesting.
Flashback: Schio won the EuroCup Women in 2008 with two of their current players in Raffaella Masciadri and Laura Macchi. They comfortably beat BC Moscow across two legs in the Final.
Outlook: The potential to have a great season lies ahead. Schio have what looks to be an exciting and superb balance of youth and experience, with their talent matched by a hard-nosed edge as well. Even if all eyes are on Zandalasini for obvious reasons, as well as the French Connection, you scan down the roster and are struck by a vibrancy at one end from Lisec and Dotto who know the players well already and unrivaled experience of veteran stars like Masciadri and Macchi on the other end.
Coach Vincent’s know-how of psychology in the women’s game as well as his technical expertise and experiences with the men's clubs, could do marvels for the Italians and they will be eyeing up the post-season.
But whisper it quietly, with quality and continuity, some pundits are already cautiously optimistic they might just threaten a Final Four spot if things go well.
FIBA
