Will Wisla Can-Pack benefit from their off-season roster revolution?
KRAKOW (EuroLeague Women ) – There have been some major changes at many EuroLeague Women clubs, but perhaps not as dramatic as in Krakow where Wisla Can-Pack have had turned a completely new page.
History: One of the most well-known and respected clubs in the tournament, Wisla are about to embark on their 14th straight EuroLeague Women season. While they have not been able to truly challenge for silverware, they did make Final Four in 2010. Prior to that, they played many seasons in the Ronchetti Cup as well.
Major arrivals: Krzysztof Szewczyk, Giedre Labuckiene, Cheyenne Parker, Leonor Rodriguez, Maurita Reid, Jelena Antic, Sonja Greinacher, Dominika Owczarzak
Major departures: Jose Hernandez, Ewelina Kobryn, Claudia Pop, Ben Hind Abdelkader, Ziomara Morrison, Sandra Ygueravide, Agnieszka Szott-Hejmej, Meighan Simmons, Vanessa Gidden
Players to watch: There is no doubt that a big onus will be on the powerful Cheyenne Parker to fill the void that was vacated by Polish national team legend Ewelina Kobryn.
Her abilities in the paint will need to be demonstrated, while in the backcourt and on the wings, the shooting percentages of Spaniard Leo Rodriguez could potentially define just how much of a struggle it might be for the EuroLeague Women regulars. She can't afford to blow hot and cold, it needs to be more of the former as Wisla don't exactly look like a team packed full of scorers at this level. That is why the other main player to watch in the shape of Maurita Reid, must really tear it up this season.
💪🇵🇱😁 pic.twitter.com/gA1jJz8wjR
— Leo Rodriguez (@Leonorspain) August 20, 2017
Flashback: Wisla made the Final Four in 2010 when Coach Hernandez returned to his native Spain to lead the White Star club in Valencia. Even if they fell to a couple of big losses, it was a proud time for the team and its fans.
Outlook: With the veteran Spanish play-caller Jose Hernandez having arguably kept Wisla punching above their natural weight in recent years, his successor Krzysztof Szewczyk might have an even more difficult task ahead. On paper at least, Wisla look to have less quality and depth than many of their rivals. Even if this does not guarantee a struggle, there is little doubt they look to be 1-2 top drawer players short of maintaining any realistic push for the post-season.
The backcourt looks like it has a worrying lack of options, but they have proven the doubters wrong in the past. But maybe it is time for the supporting cast such as forwards Sonja Greinacher and Giedre Labuckiene, as well as homegrown Polish guard duo Magdalena Zietara and Dominika Owczarzak.
FIBA
