KURSK (Russia) - As time ticks down to the Final Four, we're checking out the title credentials of each club and next up are 2017 winners, Dynamo Kursk.

Breanna Stewart

We have waited so long to see Stewart play in her first campaign in the competition and she has been just as brilliant as everyone had hoped. The leading scorer in the tournament and having also won Regular Season MVP and Best  Frontcourt Player in the recent fan vote, there could be even more to come from Stewart. Has she even hit absolute top gear? Maybe not and if one player is capable of putting a team on their back and carrying them to the title, it is the reigning WNBA, WNBA Play-Offs and FIBA Women's Basketball Word Cup MVP.

Lucas Mondelo and delivering in crunch time

Dynamo Kursk have had so many tight games this season - more than anyone else in the tournament. Digging out results and showing a consistent ability to deliver in crunch time is a good habit as long as you generally win. So, whether it is the Semi-Final and/or the Final and the game is close heading down the stretch, Kursk will be in their comfort zone - knowing they can, and feeling they will be able to get it done. Credit is due to playcaller Lucas Mondelo and supporters seemed to recognize his importance in those end of game situations, since he was voted Best Coach of the Regular Season in the fan vote.

They have already beaten favorites UMMC

Sure, it was in the Russian Premier League, but they have still beaten UMMC Ekaterinburg in recent memory and mentally, that is a big positive. 

Making up for a timid 2018 showing

Dynamo Kursk will be ready to recapture the title they lost to their arch rivals last year when they were a pale shadow of themselves. By his own admission at the time, Coach Mondelo said his team were not at their best. They arrived as reigning champions in Sopron during 2018 without Epiphanny Prince in their line-up and things were just not right. They didn't perform to their potential and so, that should give many of them an added motivation to do themselves justice this time around. We are confident in 2019 they will bring their 'A-Game'.

FIBA