Will Galatasaray make a splash on their return to the competition?
ISTANBUL (EuroLeague Women ) – After a rare absence from EuroLeague Women last year, we cast our eye over the new-look Galatasaray as the Turkish juggernauts start revving their engines in anticipation of driving back alongside the Continent's elite.
History: Still the only Turkish team to have won the competition, Galatasaray have regularly appeared in the tournament, albeit with varying degrees of success. However, all they ever need to refer to is that memorable and historical night in 2014.
Major arrivals: Alexandria Quigley, Jelena Dubljevic, Olivia Epoupa, Gintare Petronyte, Chatilla Van Grinsven.
Major departures: Moriah Jefferson (injury), Kristine Vitola, Astou Traore, Maryia Papova, Ashley Paris.
Players to watch: All eyes will inevitably be on Quigley after her controversial move across the city from Fenerbahce and she will add a much-needed scoring touch.
📍 Alexandria "Allie" Quigley Galatasaray'da!
— Galatasaray Basket (@GSBasketbol) August 29, 2017
📍 Galatasaray signs one-time @WNBA All-Star Allie Quigley!
➡️ https://t.co/XcvBj7rkAS pic.twitter.com/k9qzKSvkle
It should be a great backcourt combination with fellow new arrival Olivia Epoupa and club leader, Isil Alben, who is back on board to provide continuity. Perhaps the greatest onus will be on Jelena Dubljevic in her second stint with the giants. She needs to stay healthy and find form because if she catches fire, she can really get Galatasaray rolling, alongside Gintare Petronyte who will drop an anchor in the post.
Flashback: The scene of the greatest night in the club's history came at the DIVS Arena in Ekaterinburg when they lifted the coveted silverware for the very first time.
Outlook: Head coach Marina Maljkovic has demanded her players stick to the same principles that guided the club through a tricky season last year when player budgets were down and they had to fight for pride in EuroCup Women.
They went for a change of personnel and so there are a lot of new faces who must engage in this respect with the playcaller, although she has stated that she has picked the incoming players. She also has the legendary Nevriye Yilmaz alongside her, which will inspire the younger players as well.
Galatasaray have a nice core rotation on paper and they could be a real handful and expected to progress past the Regular Season. But, there is a depth issue – or at least in comparison to some other Final Four hopefuls and EuroLeague Women big-hitters.
FIBA
