MUNICH (EuroLeague Women) - Our women's basketball specialist Paul Nilsen gives us his take on all the EuroLeague Women action from Week 10 of the Regular Season.

TENTH TIME LUCKY

At the tenth attempt, CCC Polkowice finally delivered that elusive first win and it was celebrated with gusto. You always have to be careful in such situations that you don't over indulge when you are 1-9. 

But winning in Orenburg against a good team coached by the likes of Roberto Iniguez is an accomplishment under any circumstance and so big credit is due to the players and staff of Polkowice.

Ironically, they won the game off the back of a disappointing loss in the Polish League and you had to be impressed with the number of adjustments they made in Orenburg. For the first time, they didn't have a lapse during one of the quarters, or have a five-minute spell when the concentration evaporated. 

There were so many elements of control which head coach Maros Kovacik has instilled. For example, I love the game of rising star Raisa Musina who has to be 'trigger happy' in a Russia youth vest - yet she played 20 minutes and only shot the ball once. But she still fulfilled her role and grabbed seven boards.

It looked and felt like everyone played for each other and were unselfish, that they met the wishes of their coach as well. After nine straight losses when those ingredients were rarely present, perhaps a few celebratory 'selfies' from the locker room was warranted.

MERSIN HIT ROCK BOTTOM

Being critical of any club is a tough assignment when you are a 'women's basketball warrior' who is always trying to promote the game. But, you can't sugar-coat the complete mess that Mersin looked in against ZVVZ USK Prague.

It is bad enough to spoil your rookie season by dropping to 0-10, but to do it via a 96-47 loss [as good as Prague are] and be outplayed in such a humiliating way, is disastrous by any measurement.

It's infuriating Mersin weren't competitive - they have had nine games to make adjustments and get it right. They might not have as much depth as others, but the results show that something is continuing to go terribly wrong for a roster with the likes of Danielle Robinson, Ginatre Petronyte, Aneika Henry, Nevin Nevlin and Nilay Kartaltepe who are all good players with experience.

EuroLeague Women is unforgiving, but Mersin have now hit rock bottom. They are the only team left in the competition who have still not found a single victory and considering the resources they have probably invested, it is not acceptable in any way.

THE WEEKLY GONGS

Team Performance of the Week: I have to give it to CCC Polkowice for finally getting that first win and doing the business against a very good team and one who are always a tough nut to crack in Orenburg.

Individual Performance of the Week: With apologies to Brittney Griner who was super for UMMC, I am giving it to Krisi Givens of Perfumerias Avenida. In a 'must-win' game, she was central to the 79-70 comeback victory against ESBVA-LM with a really smart 16 points.

Unsung Hero of the Week: She was only the fourth scorer on her team, but step forward Marija Rezan for contributing 10 points and 11 rebounds in an efficient 18 minutes for Polkowice.

NUMBER CRUNCHING

- UMMC Ekaterinburg are the first team to hit the century mark this season as they recorded the highest tally of any team with 103 against Hatay.

- UMMC accomplished the feat by handing out 34 assists which was also the highest by any team in a game this season.

- Dynamo Kursk became only the second team to make eight blocks in a game during their clash with BLMA.

FOOTNOTES

- Has there ever been a more brutal first-half by a team in recent memory than the 63-22 UMMC inflicted on Hatay? I don't think so. While the visitors were depleted, it was still awesome stuff.

- With EuroCup Women having reached the Round of 8, my eyes are now being drawn to which EuroLeague Women clubs will parachute into the competition again - especially with just four weeks left of the Regular Season. Remember the 5th and 6th place teams in both Groups will land in the EuroCup Women Quarter-Finals.

You can follow Paul @basketmedia365

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