Power Rankings: Will new kid on the block LDLC Asvel Feminin live up to their billing?

14/10/2019

News

to read

Power Rankings: Will new kid on the block LDLC Asvel Feminin live up to their billing?

MUNICH (Germany) - The first round of the EuroLeague Women Regular Season has arrived and it's time to tip-off our power rankings for the new 2019-20 season.

We will be updating our rankings every couple of weeks and this is how we start as we head into Week 1. Let us know if you agree using #EuroLeagueWomen across social media channels.

RANK	CLUB	MOVE
16			Castors Braine - Oh dear. The sense of déjà vu will be overpowering as they were in last spot for most of 2018-19. We have at least tried to make it look better by starting with 16 at the top of the list for this new campaign so there is not the ‘scroll of doom’ down towards the bottom. Castors have re-loaded with Egle Siksniute, Chantelle Handy, Kourtney Treffers and Shaqwedia Wallace, while Celeste Trahan-Davis remains in situ. But they have to do a lot to prove our lack of faith is wrong.
15			Reyer Venezia - The lucky charms must have been hanging all around the Venezia locker rooms after their heart-stopping overtime win in the Qualifiers against DVTK. While credit is due for a super comeback they had looked dead and buried. Anete Steinberga continues to kill it and as we wipe away the tears of her not featuring at the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2019 for Latvia, but also ask who else will now step up for Venezia? Elisa Penna is a possibility and for sure, they must all sharpen their game for a first Regular Season in a decade. They also need to get Gintare Petronyte healthy.
14			Arka Gdynia - Like probably just about everyone else, we thought that Botas SK would see off Arka Gdynia in the Qualifiers and especially as their leading light Bec Allen was on Opals’ duty for the first leg. But, they punched their ticket to make us all sit up and take notice. Belarusian forward Maryia Papova is in beast mode right now, Allen is back and shining, while head coach Gundars Vetra has 'teamwork' tattooed on his forehead. Well, not really, but you wouldn’t blame him if he did - or at least on his arm. Teamwork is the heart of this Gdynia side - so far at least.
13			Gelecek Koleji Cukurova - This could be a big test for the rookies. They head into the Regular Season sucking up a Turkish League loss to Hatay and questions being asked about who on the roster has consistently delivered in EuroLeague Women? on their roster? Romanian veteran Gabriela Marginean is the best answer and outside of that, Nia Coffey and Kayla Alexander will really have to bring it. Not least because while Cukurova have some exciting young Turkish talents- will Goksen Fitik and Ilayda Guner be ready at this level yet?
12			TTT Riga - Even for Martins Zibarts, repeating last year's amazing run to the post-season looks tough because any club would struggle to recover from losing their three most efficient players (Shay Peddy, Kristine Vitola and Ivey Slaughter). While the likes of Linnae Harper and Kitija Laksa excite, they are still relatively unproven in the competition. Binta Drammeh could be an 'X-Factor' and last year's exploits showed what is possible with team work and nice coaching. Sure, they will have to be respected, but maybe following up on 2018-19 will be beyond them.
11			Sopron Basket - It looks like Sopron will suffer in similar fashion to TTT Riga as they have also had leading performers of their team depart in Yvonne Turner, Amanda Zahui and Candice Dupree. Throw in the fact Roberto Iniguez also put down the coaching reigns and it's a new chapter. They are likely to dominate domestically, but will need the returning Jelena Brooks who missed out on 2018-19 while on maternity leave to be on top form. Can Briann January carry what looks to be a big load on her shoulders?
10			BLMA - Perhaps we are actually being harsh on BLMA after smashing past Olympiacos in the Qualifiers and taking a major French League scalp by beating Lyon. Stephanie Mavunga who is hotter than hot right now, while Sami Whitcomb is a WNBA Champion and can shoot the lights out. Diandra Tchatchouang and Gabby Wiliams add further class, but maybe we are just too traumatized and worried about the last time they were in this tournament. Their results could make your eyes water they were so bad.. We're being cautious this time and you can't blame us for that?
9			Bourges Basket - It's easy to worry about Bourges in some ways this season after losing their marquee player in Marine Johannes. Replacing her with Ana Dabovic could be a masterstroke as she is a game-winner too. One thing is for sure, Bourges look truly solid with a steely feel now that they have signed Elin Eldebrink and Isabelle Yacoubou in particular. It also feels like the season when EuroLeague Women Young Player of the Year Alexia Chartereau becomes a bonafide leader.
8			Spar Citylift Girona - It looks like the Catalan side has wrestled away the mantle of the number one team in Spain from arch rivals Perfumerias Avenida after their Spanish Championship and SuperCup successes. They also made arguably the biggest signing of the summer with the arrival of Sonja Petrovic. They might be even higher in our list had the Serbian ace not needed some surgery which will delay her start. Girona feels like a club on the rise and this will be a fascinating first season. Play-caller Eric Suris is deservedly enhancing his reputation and we also get to see a living EuroLeague Women legend in Laia Palau back in the tournament too!
7			Famila Schio - While losing Allie Quigley was a blow, the capture of Diamond DeShields could be seriously huge. Having her scoring punch, along with a premier performer like Sandrine Gruda who has re-signed, gives Schio the chance to make up for last season when they had that disastrous start. Coach Pierre Vincent will know good things could happen if they don't stutter on the start line like last time. They can also start with confidence after lifting the Italian SuperCup.
6			Nadezhda - The Russian club went back to the future with George Dikeoulakos.and are likely to be tough to beat in Orenburg. They have many players who delivered last season’s historic EuroCup Women success, not least Erica Wheeler and Laura Nicholls. With the arrival of Yvonne Turner, they have one of the most dynamic and productive guards of recent seasons. On paper, there is plenty to be excited about despite their SuperCup Women loss and defeat at home to Kursk in the Russian League. Finishing outside of the Top 8 in EuroLeague Women would be a surprise?
5			Dynamo Kursk - Losing Breanna Stewart was always going to be rough. But getting a class act like DeWanna Bonner back on Russian soil was vital and being able to sign Roberto Iniguez to replace Lucas Mondelo was also a priceless move. That reunion and partnership has delivered in the past. With Nika Baric and especially Astou Ndour as another two marquee signings to go with a core that includes class players like Marta Xargay and Epiphanny Prince, they should be a Final Four contender as usual.
4			Fenerbahce - Coach Lapena showed his abilities at Nadezhda, but this is very different. He is in the pressure-cooker of a true giant. Plus, Fenerbahce have missed the last two Final Fours so the heat is on. He has a huge headache to solve. How does he find the shots for volume shooters and scorers Cecilia Zandalasini and Alina Iagupova – plus the rest of the roster? If he gets it right, it could be epic and maybe with compatriot Anna Cruz now in town, Final Four might be on the agenda again. The Turkish SuperCup got safely stored in the Trophy cabinet last week too.
3			ZVVZ USK Praha - We hear you. We hear you. Praha have got absent players to start the season, since the WNBA Finals have affected their preparation and also injuries have taken a toll. But, with virtually no new faces outside of Cristina Ouvina and Brionna Jones, the chemistry is already in place and when everyone is back, it will be slick like a hand going into a glove. They also have a FIBA Hall of Famer at the helm too. Hats off to Head Coach Natalia Hejkova and even if they stumble early, surely you can bank on them to be in the mix during season crunch time?
2			LDLC Asvel Feminin - Have we over-egged this cake? Maybe, since there is no track record in the competition – yet. But we can’t be alone in feeling that the momentum is with the French newbies in every way. That dream backcourt with Julie Allemand and Marine Johannes and just seeing Tony Parker taking such an interest in driving this project forward makes you have confidence they are Final Four material. Of course, that is with us conveniently ignoring their LFB loss to BLMA this past weekend.
1			UMMC Ekaterinburg - The reigning champions have already won more silverware with a fourth successive SuperCup Women title. They have the same fine coach, mostly the same stellar players, two great additions in Allie Quigley and Jonquel Jones – plus Alba Torrens to return from injury to give them a lift heading into 2020. Nobody looks like they can get near them on paper this year – or in our rankings!