NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide) – With the biggest talent in the game heading to EuroLeague Women Final Four in Sopron, it's not a surprise some essential players are overshadowed.

While the list of headline acts is particularly long, including the likes of Brittney Griner, Maya Moore, Alba Torrens, Angel McCoughtry, Sonja Petrovic, Nnemkadi Ogwumike, Courtney Vandersloot, Kayla McBride, Ann Wauters, Sandrine Gruda, Jelena Milovanovic, Aleksandra Crvendakic and Yvonne Turner, we should not forget about the supporting cast.

So, here are my unsung heroes who I feel deserve some of the spotlight and will help underpin their team's efforts.

Elin Eldebrink – Yakin Dogu Universitesi

She may be a seasoned international veteran with Sweden, but on a star-laden Yakin Dogu Universitesi roster that has the best playmaker in the tournament to lead the way, gaining recognition is not so easy. Yet within the locker room, I am sure the experience and composure of Eldebrink is very highly appreciated. As the plaudits are rightly lauded onto Courtney Vandersloot, Kayla McBride is also lighting it up alongside her, Eldebrink has used her defensive skills and no-nonsense approach to quietly go about her business and do a terrific job. Shooting 46 percent and handing out 3.1 assists per game is evidence of this, but it is the 26 minutes per game that really speaks volumes about her value to this new heavyweight of the competition.

Tina Jovanovic – Sopron Basket

To my own shame, I can count on one hand the amount of times I have probably mentioned or referenced the Serbian for her role in what has been a standout campaign for Sopron Basket. That is not good enough and hopefully flagging up her accomplishments here will make amends in some way. This is actually a rookie EuroLeague Women season for Jovanovic and to emerge with such highly efficient numbers and contributions is a big credit to her. She has gone up against a stack of top-rated opponents in the paint and shot 54 percent, as well as snapping up 6 boards per game. She was quiet in the Quarter-Finals, but you can't overlook her importance, especially as she was one of the main architects of Sopron's nice start which sparked the momentum for this brilliant campaign.

Natalia Zhedik – Dynamo Kursk

After a slow start to the season, Zhedik has become a real gem off the bench for Lucas Mondelo for when his starters are not firing. Now an experienced hand, the shooting guard has become an often overlooked member of the champions' rotation, averaging 19 minutes per game and currently shooting 47% from downtown. So, don't be surprised if she steps in and hits a big go-ahead triple for the holders at Final Four. Especially as she has been quieter of late and is probably due a critical cameo contribution.

Danielle Page – Sopron Basket

You can call her 'Miss Selfless' because if the team needs it, then Page delivers it. Her late season arrival in Sopron largely went under the radar and yet if you watch any of their last six games when she was present, you will see her solidifying impact. Sopron have only lost once since she joined and that was the narrow 55-60 loss to Fenerbahce in the first Quarter-Finals match-up. Averaging 20 minutes per game, she does so much work off the ball – things that never will show up in the efficiency statistics. Critically, she lets the scorers take over and is relentless in helping to get them open, but when an opportunity has come her way, she has smartly knocked it down – as 67 percent from the field will testify.

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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