MUNICH (Germany) - The EuroLeague Women Quarter-Finals are ready to take center stage and as the race to reach the Final Four enters its most crucial phase, we have been doing some number crunching.

7 different nations represented

For the first time in 12 years, there are seven different nations represented in this season's Quarter-Finals. These are Russia (UMMC and Dynamo Kursk), Czech Republic (ZVVZ USK Praha), Turkey (Fenerbahce), France (Bourges Basket), Hungary (Sopron Basket), Latvia (TTT Riga), and Poland (CCC Polkowice). This shows the diversity of the competition and how teams in so many different domestic leagues have had an opportunity to make a deep run and get within touching distance of the Final Four. The last time this happened was during the 2007 campaign, when we had Russia (Sparta&K and CSKA), Czech Republic (Brno), Hungary (Sopron), Turkey (Fenerbahce), Spain (Ros Casares), France (Bourges), and Lithuania (TEO Vilnius).

8 clubs ready to make a mark

While the Russian powerhouse duo of reigning champions UMMC Ekaterinburg and Dynamo Kursk are red-hot favorites to advance to the Final Four, even they will be taking nothing for granted against TTT Riga and CCC Polkowice. UMMC will be aware that TTT Riga have had their best ever season and are highly dangerous - plus UMMC lost to Kursk last Saturday in the Russian Premier League which will have given them renewed focus. Meanwhile CCC Polkowice are the Polish champions, have lots of veterans, great defense and WNBA winners. Lucas Mondelo will need to have his team primed and ready. The other two Quarter-Final matchups between ZVVZ USK Praha and Fenerbahce, plus Sopron Basket and Bourges look so well balanced, it is almost impossible to predict - and, that is exactly something our 'Expert Panel' was asked to do!

9 EuroLeague Women coaching titles

There are four playcallers in this year's Quarter-Finals who know what it takes to land the coveted EuroLeague Women title. These are Roberto Iniguez of Sopron Basket (Ros Casares - 2012), Miguel Mendez of UMMC (UMMC - 2018), Lucas Mondelo of Dynamo Kursk (Dynamo Kursk - 2017, Perfumerias Avenida - 2011). Last but not least is the silverware magnet Natalia Hejkova of ZVVZ USK Praha, who has won more in this competition than everyone else put together with five titles (ZVVZ USK Praha - 2015, Sparta&K M.R Vidnoje - 2008, Sparta&K M.R Vidnoje - 2007, Ruzomberok - 2000, Ruzomberok - 1999)

10 FIBA Women's EuroBasket champions

There is always something a little special about the EuroLeague Women post-season during a FIBA Women's EuroBasket year as we get ready to be treated by the biggest stars in two of our most prestigious competitions. The level of quality in this year's Quarter-Finals can be illustrated by the fact there will be no fewer than 10 FIBA Women's EuroBasket winners stepping out. These are Evgeniia Beliakova, Alba Torrens (UMMC), Tatiana Vidmer, Lucas Mondelo, Sonja Petrovic, Anna Cruz, Marta Xargay (Dynamo Kursk), Queralt Casas (Sopron Basket), Cristina Ouvina (Bourges Basket), and Leticia Romero (ZVVZ USK Praha).

2 domestic Cup winners

 
Sopron Basket and Fenerbahce will be heading into their respective Quarter-Final ties on a high and with added confidence after they landed domestic silverware over the weekend. Sopron Basket landed the Hungarian Cup, while Fenerbahce triumphed in the Turkish Cup.

You can watch all Quarter-Final games live and for free on YouTube.com/FIBA and also follow updates via our Blog.

FIBA