ORENBURG (Russian Premier League/FIBA World Championship for Women) - Sandrine Gruda reiterated why France may not need to be overly concerned about key absences under the basket at the FIBA World Championship for Women, after the Les Bleus star fired UMMC Ekaterinburg to another Russian Premier League Championship success.

The 26-year-old was the MVP of a hard-fought 63-58 triumph in Orenburg as UMMC swept Nadezhda 3-0 in the finals, with Gruda once again demonstrating her qualities.

The center registered a classy 24 points from a superb 10 of 15 floor shooting display and fell just one rebound short of a fine double-double - a feat which was accomplished by team-mate Candace Parker.

Likely to be one of the biggest attractions when the action gets underway in Turkey later this year, the USA's Parker amassed an eye-catching 16 points and 11 rebounds.

And the duo could now line up alongside each other once again in the WNBA for the Los Angeles Sparks - although their camaraderie on both sides of the Atlantic at club level may of course have to be put aside if their respective nations reach the latter stages in Istanbul.

Meanwhile, veteran playmaker Sue Bird reminded everyone that she is still very much on the radar by contributing 10 points and three assists.

There were also medals handed out to other potential stars of the FIBA World Championship for Women in Diana Taurasi and Silvia Dominguez, who are destined to play for the USA and Spain respectively.

The most poignant moment of the night for UMMC came when Russian basketball legend Maria Stepanova raised the trophy above her head, having confirmed she will extend her illustrious career for one more season in Ekaterinburg.

Elsewhere, there was also a lot riding on the third-placed game between Dynamo Kursk and Dynamo Moscow in a repeat of the EuroCup Women Final.

With a potential place in the EuroLeague Women at stake, Dynamo Kursk extracted revenge for their painful loss back in March, as USA guard Seimone Augustus plundered 17 points in a convincing 84-69 victory which completed a memorably one-sided series win.

FIBA