7 Alba Torrens Salom (UMMC Ekaterinburg) (photo: Andrey Petukhov)
21/03/2017
Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide
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Magical match-ups await at EuroLeague Women Final Four - Part 1

NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide) - When the tickets for this year's edition of EuroLeague Women Final Four were taken, I was instantly mesmerized by the match-up possibilities.

Starting with the playmakers in the Dynamo Kursk and ZVVZ USK Prague battle, there's a sweet Spanish clash between two of the best European backcourt players in Anna Cruz and Laia Palau. Two national team colleagues and two stellar veteran guards.

Palau knows what it is like to win the title on more than one occasion after lifting the silverware with Ros Casares and ZVVZ USK Prague. She is a legend as the only player to have handed out 1,000 assists in the competition. And, while she doesn’t have bundles of dynamism or mobility, is there really a smarter player in the women’s European game?

Meanwhile Cruz played in the Final with Rivas Ecopolis in the first ever Final Eight. She was so popular at the Spanish club, fans campaigned to get a local street named after her! She also pulled the strings for Nadezhda last year, when they made history by making the Final for the first time. Another very interesting dimension is that Cruz can slide over to the two-guard spot and that would mean matching up against yet another Rio team-mate in Marta Xargay.

However, it is more likely that Xargay's impeccable defensive capabilities will be employed to slow down Dynamo Kursk’s do-it-all backcourt force in Epiphanny Prince and that is also a fascinating tussle to look forward to.

The wing duel will could be the best of Final Four as the in-form Angel McCoughtry will probably end up trying to outdo Serbian ace Sonja Petrovic. Both are so different in their approach and style, yet hugely successful, top class and priceless to their respective teams.

McCoughtry has never won EuroLeague Women and has been the heart and soul of Dynamo Kursk's flawless season so far. She was close to unplayable in the decisive Quarter-Final at Tango Bourges Basket. It was a power-packed display of athleticism and focus, which brutally dismantled her opponents.

The subtler and yet just as impressive Petrovic has become my favorite player in a big way. She doesn't feel the need to always be the leading light and is capable of taking a backseat for the team. But, when it is required, she can also put Prague on her back and carry them through tough times. Taller and arguably with a more flexible shooting range, can Petrovic guard the more explosive and quicker McCoughtry if she needs to?

In the second Semi-Final between UMMC Ekaterinburg and Fenerbahce, Kristi Toliver is likely to be the one to try and stifle Birsel Vardarli Demirmen. The former won the title last year with UMMC and will share playmaking duties with Slovenian Nika Baric, who was also on the team who conquered Istanbul.

Vardarli Demirmen is enjoying something of a renaissance for Fenerbahce with a sensational six assists per game. But, the issue is that she could get worn down, with UMMC able to rely on two top level performers at point guard and rotate much more – whereas Vadarli Demirmen usually plays almost 30 minutes per game. Still, the Turkish guard is also a power at the defensive end.

In the shooting guard duel, the irrepressible and legendary Diana Taurasi will go for yet another title and match-up in the Semi-Finals with Allie Quigley looks massive. If you're talking about firepower, these two bring it like few other players.

Taurasi is obviously a legend and clutch maestro, who has won a stack of titles. Quigley is a potential MVP and game-winner in her own right as she showed in the deciding Quarter-Finals against Avenida, when she erupted and reminded everyone of her three-point threat.

Last but not least, what about this?

Candace Parker against Alba Torrens. Essentially, a power forward against a swingman. Yet both could feasibly occupy the small forward position and that is just an all-out jaw-dropping showdown. Torrens is electric in the open floor, can ghost to the hoop at any opportunity and is so used to making plays in crunch time.

Parker has been utilized on the wing as part of Fenerbahce's big line-up. And so far, it has been relatively successful. She will have the size advantage on Torrens and it is a wonderful puzzle for both players and coaches on who can get the edge. Parker will also go up against the club where she spent some seven seasons of her career and won the title.

The playing of Parker in this position highlights this growing trend of more forwards retreating from the paint and showing their flexibility. More on this another time!

Next week, I will delve into the frontcourts and looks at the benches, but surely nothing is going to beat this year’s potential three-spot line up of McCoughtry, Petrovic, Torrens and Parker!

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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Paul Nilsen

Paul Nilsen

As a women's basketball specialist for FIBA and FIBA Europe, Paul Nilsen eats, sleeps and breathes women’s hoops and is incredibly passionate about promoting the women’s game - especially at youth level. In Women’s Basketball Worldwide, Paul scours the globe for the very latest from his beloved women’s basketball family.