Prague (Czech Republic) - One of the all-time great coaches, FIBA Hall of Fame inductee Natalia Hejkova is celebrating her 70th birthday and could receive the timely gift of another EuroLeague Women title.

No matter how you slice it, the numbers of the veteran play-caller in the competition are truly phenomenal.

In celebrating both her landmark birthday and EuroLeague Women accomplishments, here's a deserved homage to the ZVVZ USK Praha coach. 

Five EuroLeague Women titles

That's right, a staggering five EuroLeague Women titles for Hejkova makes her the most successful coach of the modern era when it comes to landing silverware. 

Her last success came with ZVVZ USK Praha in 2015 when they had the extra special feeling of winning EuroLeague Women for the first time and also doing so in front of home fans. They also did it beating massive favorites in Russian juggernauts UMMC Ekaterinburg. 

Prior to this, Hejkova managed to deliver with the legendary Sparta&K M.R Vidnoje in 2007 and then again in 2008 - the first two of four titles in a row that the renowned program would win. She also landed back-to-back silverware in 1999 and 2000 when at the helm of SCP Ruzomberok in her homeland.

Four times four at the Final Four 

If you also include that rare beast which is the Final Eight, there have been a jaw-dropping 16 appearances for Hejkova at the season showpiece. That is mind-blowing when you think how tough and demanding it is for even the absolute elite clubs to grind their way through the Regular Season and Play-Offs to make it to Final Four.

14 consecutive years coaching in the competition

The revered Slovakian has spent the last 14 consecutive seasons coaching EuroLeague Women games, including 12 in a row with ZVVZ USK Praha. And, before these 14 straight campaigns there were many more that of course included those combined four titles with Sparta&K and Ruzomberok. 

One of the most incredible aspects of Hejkova's time coaching in the competition is the list of names she has coached. Here's only a handful of headline names in the shape of Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Lauren Jackson, Tina Thompson, Sonja Vasic, Ann Wauters and Laia Palau. 

FIBA Hall of Fame inductee in 2019

It's not exactly a surprise that Hejkova has deservedly gained her FIBA Hall of Fame honor five years ago. She has also previously spoken about how she was a trailblazer as a female coach on the continent. Now 70-years-old, she is still going strong and could be adding another title her to her already glittering and lengthy resume. 

Hejkova and her ZVVZ USK Praha team will face first-timers Villeneuve d'Ascq LM in Friday's first Semi-Final in Mersin. 

FIBA