It’s matchup heaven in Game 1 of the Quarter-Finals

MUNICH (EuroLeague Women) – It's the all-important first games of the EuroLeague Women Quarter-Finals and we look at four of Wednesday's biggest and most mouth-watering matchups.

Brittney Griner vs Amanda Zahui

Two of the front-runners for Regular Season MVP, this is going to be an epic clash under the hoop between two imposing and towering stars of the competition. Griner will use her size as always for UMMC to cause havoc on the block and clean up those offensive put-backs. Meanwhile Zahui may use her extended shooting range to take Griner out of her comfort zone and try to drop some scores from range for Prague. Both players are also heavyweights Stateside in the WNBA, so know each other's game well. Whoever comes out on top in this crunch first meeting is likely to be pivotal.

Aleksandra Crvendakic vs Ana Dabovic

This all-Serbian duel between these Olympic teammates could be on the of the most fascinating and enjoyable, since it is arguably taking place in what looks the most finely poised tie in these Quarter-Finals. Additionally, both players are so versatile, it is likely they may only guard each other for fleeting moments – but those exchanges could be key. The former Women's EuroBasket MVP Dabovic has explosive scoring ability and has made an impact at Fenerbahce on her overdue return to the competition. Crvandakic is one of the best young players in the tournament and a leader ahead of her time with Sopron. She has also received the boost of a WNBA contract and she can get some advice from Dabovic who won that title with the Los Angeles Sparks.

Maria Vadeeva vs Isabelle Yacoubou

The veteran experience and red-hot form of Isabelle Yacoubou will be priceless as Famila Schio chase the upset against the reigning champions. The center comes into Game 1 having helped her side secure the Italian Cup with an MVP performance. While she will relish battling it out with former national team colleague Helena Ciak, it will be the battle in the post against Maria Vadeeva which could be explosive. That physical battle looks to be hugely important, with teenage sensation Vadeeva having watched and learned from Yacoubou at Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje.

Kayla McBride vs Valeriane Ayayi

Both players have posted their best-ever campaigns in the competition, with McBride on fire all year for Yakin Dogu Universitesi and finishing as the leading Regular Season scorer. While it looks like a Yakin Dogu win on paper, a surprise from Bourges may well be initiated by their own wing star, with their best work this year largely derived from the play of Ayayi. The French star is showing she can be a real threat at the elite level and these two also bring a connection from San Antonio in the WNBA.

FIBA​