MUNICH (Germany) - The EuroCup Women Semi-Finals are about to drop and there are two mouth-watering ties to look forward to as the last four teams in the competition continue to dream of landing the coveted silverware. As in previous knocout rounds, the Semi-Finals will be played across two legs with the highest-seeded team - as per the Regular Season ranking - earning home advantage for the second leg.
The games will be played on Thursday, February 26 and Wednesday, March 4 with the full schedule available, here.
Athinaikos Qualco vs Villeneuve d'Ascq LM
Hopes were high at the start of the season that Athinaikos had assembled the kind of star studded roster that could make a big impression in this competition. Now, after a sensational turnaround against Perfumerias Avenida in the Quarter-Finals, they're within touching distance of realizing that ambition.
Meanwhile, Villeneuve had to work hard to see off Movistar Estudiantes and are looking to continue the defense of their cherished title by making consecutive Finals. That would also open up the possibility of becoming only the second team in tournament history to retain their crown.
It's why this looks such a beautifully balanced matchup between two former champions.
Key matchup: Holly Winterburn (Athinaikos Qualco) vs Alexis Peterson (Villeneuve d'Ascq LM)
'X-Factor': Peterson is about as important as it gets as a player and leader for any team. She makes the French side tick, is the absolute heartbeat and how Athinaikos target her defensively will be key. They have multiple options in respect of who takes on that pivotal task. To be successful and make the Final, it feels like they need to shut down the German national team playmaker in a big way. Stats don't lie: There is barely anything between these teams in just about every single statistical category and that also underlines how this tie is likely to be on a real knife edge throughout. However, Villeneuve are absolutely clinical when it comes to punishing errors. They score an eye-popping 20.8 points per game from turnovers compared to 12.6 by their opponents. That translates for Athinaikos as needing to take extra care of the ball.
BLMA vs CIMSA CBK Mersin
It's never boring in Mersin and after living up to top billing in the Quarter-Finals edition of the Power Rankings by sweeping past Panathinaikos A.C, they've still turned to Ekrem Memnun to replace George Dikaioulakos at the helm. They have the quality to go all the way and should be favorites - especially with the home leg second.
BLMA are searching for their second Final appearance, having made the title game in 2019. They have a young team with some brilliant French rising stars and will be eager to not only get the home win, but also take a decent advantage on the long trip to Mersin for the return game.
Key matchup: Nell Angloma (BLMA) vs Laura Juskaite (CIMSA CBK Mersin)
'X-Factor': Kennedy Burke has been so good in this competition for Mersin and has the kind of do-it-all game that has dragged her team through tough situations. If she continues to be the difference-maker it looks like the still unbeaten Turkish side is going to advance. However, if she has a rare off night, who will step up and fill the void? Stats don't lie: Mersin are brutal when it comes to executing in transition and average 22.5 fast break points. Although possibly still without the injured and dynamic Julie Vanloo, that is an average that might prove difficult to sustain. BLMA are another French side that love to capitalize on mistakes and they will turn to punishing turnovers as a source of joy - currently averaging 22.8 per outing compared to 13.5 for Mersin.
FIBA