The EuroLeague Women Final Four watch-list
NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide) - With the climax of the 2016-17 EuroLeague Women season now only a few days away, my watch-list for The Final Four in Ekaterinburg is almost complete.
Here is a selection of some of the things I will be looking out for:
- Candace Parker going to Fenerbahce has been huge news in the last month and perhaps it has been overlooked that she will be returning with her new team to a place where she spent an incredible chunk of her career. Seven Russian winters no less, so it will be amazing to watch her play against her ex-employers. Imagine the story if she breaks the hearts of the hosts and especially all those fans that used to worship her!
On to the final four! @FBBasketbol @EuroLeagueWomen pic.twitter.com/v2DOXVuLdZ
— Candace Parker (@Candace_Parker) March 16, 2017
- On the topic of Parker, how will new Fenerbahce coach Firat Okul handle that all-important frontcourt rotation? As I have noted previously, Jantel Lavender, Sandrine Gruda and Candace Parker are class acts, but will the latter continue to play the three spot? Looking at the options, I think she will have to.
- Diana Taurasi - the legend. I might miss some of the action because I always find it a captivating experience to be courtside when she is around and it is hard to look away from her. Not just because of her skills, but trying to determine her mood, the interaction with team-mates, her opponents and of course, the match officials. I will be back in the presence of greatness and you have to enjoy the veteran while you still can! It is no wonder she was voted onto The Final Four starting five!
- Taurasi might have her hands full though, because I am adamant that Fenerbahce's prospects lie predominantly on the shoulders of Alexandria Quigley. Can she shoot the ball well for the Turkish giants? If she does, they could be in business.
- Brittney Griner must be due a dunk at The Final Four - surely? Can I order one in advance?
- Am I going to get a sense of déjà vu? Three years ago, UMMC Ekaterinburg were the reigning champions. They were defending their title on their home floor and lost to a Turkish club in the Semi-Finals at the DIVS Arena. Galatasaray went on to life their first-ever title - something Fenerbahce are still searching for. I stroke my sizeable chin in anticipation of this intriguing prospect!
- Laia Palau! She is actually at the top of my list! EuroLeague Women will wave goodbye to arguably its best-ever playmaker as the Spanish golden oldie calls it a day. As the only player in the history of the competition to have handed out 1,000 assists, I hope it is a fitting swansong. Her duel with national team-mate Anna Cruz will be just so sweet to watch and one for the women’s basketball connoisseurs!
- Dynamo Kursk could barely have a better play-caller in this situation in Lucas Mondelo as they look to make history. I say that because he really does have a track record of winning silverware during his first season with teams or in tournaments. Can he really continue his 'Midas Touch' and bring a maiden title to Kursk? And here’s the thing, it was absolutely astonishing nobody picked him up when he left the WCBA in China. I was pushing his case and asking the question. Even if he doesn’t pull it off, Kursk were smart to get him and their 16-0 record demonstrates this.
- Maria Vadeeva of Dynamo Kursk is playing her first Final Four. She is a phenomenon of course and one of my big faves. To win a first title as a teenager and in her own country would be amazing.
I am looking forward to see if that seemingly unflappable temperament is in evidence and I have got to get a close-up of that steely stare she gives her defenders and the occasional match official. Great player - and have there been many better teenagers played at the event in the modern era? Let me know!
- Angel McCoughtry intrigues me just about more than any other player out there. She is unstoppable when she is on her game and will be the main cog in the Dynamo Kursk wheel. She has never lifted the title and I wonder if this could be her year.
Mondelo seems to have really found such a nice balance for her in this team – ensuring she puts her foot on the gas when needed, but also apply some brakes too. I felt she never quite managed that previously when at Fenerbahce.
- Natalia Hejkova is a legend. Prague’s veteran coach has never lost a Final in EuroLeague Women which is astonishing. Someone told me that Prague reaching the Final for a second time in three years or winning the title was ‘a fairytale too far’ but you can’t back against her resume and experience. I will be fascinated to see what she comes up with in terms of a strategy to slow down Kursk [remember these teams met twice in the Regular Season].
- Written in large letters and then also circled in thick pen are the words, 'Expect the unexpected'. That's because the last three editions of The Final Four have been crazy when it comes to unpredictable outcomes. Yes, UMMC won it last year, but only after an extraordinary Final which saw Nadezhda almost win their first title. A year before that, ZVVZ USK Prague did what most thought was impossible and I would argue Galatasaray in 2014 was even more of an accomplishment. Even 2012 which fits into the last five years saw the fairytale of Rivas Ecopolis making the Final.
I have absolutely no idea what headlines I will be writing at the weekend or what my next A to Z of The Final Four column will contain and it's that unpredictability of the women’s game which is just one of the reasons I am still in love with it.
Paul Nilsen
FIBA
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