Is it time for UMMC to take back their crown?
EKATERINBURG (EuroLeague Women ) – Losing their cherished title on their home floor last season was painful for UMMC Ekaterinburg, but after recovering with the Russian Championship they may be ready to hit back and recapture their EuroLeague Women crown.
History: UMMC are one of this competition's great clubs and they can evidence that with three titles, including two recent triumphs during the last four years. They are also now into double digits for Final Four appearances.
Major arrivals: Lara Sanders, Elena Beglova, Raisa Musina.
Major departures: Kristi Toliver, Mariia Cherepanova, Sancho Lyttle.
Players to watch: Take your pick, but the arrival of the naturalized Turkey national team standout Sanders is interesting as it arguably gives UMMC more of a do-it-all kind of center to call upon, as opposed to the more limited (albeit very talented and impactful) game of the towering Brittney Griner. With Belgian ace Emma Meesseman, the type of player on the rise in her career and able to combine with either of her frontcourt colleagues, she might end up being the key.
But there is just no looking past the two biggest stars of the women's game in Alba Torrens and Diana Taurasi. The former was perhaps not as effective as UMMC needed last season, but responding with the FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 MVP accolade, now looks set for a return to form.
Meanwhile Taurasi may be about to play her last season in the competition. Time will tell, but if one of the true greats does hang up her shoes, the 2018 season will be bookmarked forever. She remains an incredible player and permanent threat on the hardwood, her feisty attitude always setting the tone alongside her astonishing play.
The all in, all the time attitude, behavior and drive. That's the only way I know how to be. pic.twitter.com/G91NMyysak
— Diana Taurasi (@DianaTaurasi) December 12, 2016
Flashback: The maiden EuroLeague Women title for UMMC came way back in 2003 when they came out on top against USC Valenciennes Olympic 80-82. although they almost squandered a big lead. It was Elena Baranova who got them through, with a 7-of-8 shooting effort for 19 points. Although unfortunately for Ekaterinburg, they would subsequently endure an entire decade without a title.
Outlook: With a locker room where you could choke from the amount of star dust, the UMMC roster is as deep and as talented as usual. They have added some smart players with the experience of both Beglova and Sanders, alongside the unlimited potential of Musina. With a strong Russian core including the likes of Evgeniya Beliakova, Natalia Vieru and the evergreen Olga Arteshina, they will not struggle for know-how. Much will also depend this season on the form of Slovenian point guard Nika Baric who continues to evolve.
The big question is whether this current group can deal with the pressure and deliver in the biggest moments when they almost inevitably get back to the Final Four. Having a stack of talent has not been much of a guarantee down the years for UMMC, with most observers feeling they have fallen short of the anticipated silverware return. But, when you are always the team to beat and you have a target on your back, it always seems to prove an extra barrier for the heavyweights to have to overcome.
FIBA
