MUNICH (Germany) - Making the Regular Season is the prize on offer for just four of the 12 clubs that are preparing to take to the court for the EuroLeague Women Qualifiers.
Our expert panel has been compiling the Power Rankings and trying to work out who might be in line to step to the First Round, and which teams will fall short and make the switch to EuroCup Women.
With a lot of early season unknowns, including team chemistry and preparedness, it's a tough assignment.
But, taking into account roster information and of course the all important draw and new format, here's how it's looking - even if it might be wise to expect the unexpected.
1. Umana Reyer Venezia
Path 4
Final: vs Flammes Carolo Basket or KP Brno
The Italian club have reason to be highly confident that they will return to the Regular Season. They will surely be favorites whether they face Flammes Carolo Basket or KP Brno in the Path 4 Final.
They have a nice mix of returnees and new signings, with strength and depth across the backcourt and frontcourt. Look out for the guard combo of young Italian playmaker Matilde Villa and the free-scoring Ivana Dojkic, while Italian center Lorela Cubaj will provide a physical presence under the basket.
2. Spar Girona
Path 3
Final: vs Panathinaikos A.C or Emlak Konut
After last year's historic run to the Semi-Finalists, Roberto Iniguez and Girona will want to make a splash again - even if they have to navigate the Qualifiers first. After her heroics in taking Spain to bronze at the recent Worlds in Berlin, all eyes will be on Spanish rising star and standout Iyana Martin who has switched from rivals Avenida.
Other newcomers are experienced duo Queralt Casas and Tilbe Senyurek, with powerhouse Adut Bulgak also likely to be influential. But Girona must hit top gear since Panathinaikos or Emlak Konut could be a tough Final matchup.
3. Zabiny Brno
Path 2
Semi-Final: vs KKZ Crvena Zvezda Final: vs DVTK HUNTHERM
Are Zabiny a dark horse, or has placing them as high as third blown that theory and brought them into the light? They have what looks like a tricky Semi-Final first with Crvena Zvezda and then a possible Final with DVTK in wait.
The reason for this high ranking is a really impressive backcourt and wings with returnees Shay Colley and Eliska Joklova, as well as new arrival Robbi Ryan. Meanwhile, Paula Ginzo is an anchor in the paint and was at DVTK last season. With other Czech stars filling the gaps, they could maybe be in line to surprise some people if the click.
4. Sopron Basket
Path 1
Final: vs Kibirkstis-TOKS or Enea AZS Politechnika Poznan
This might be viewed as a generous ranking by some and indeed, Sopron will have to hit a high gear to be sure they make it. If Kibirkstis punch a Final ticket as expected, that could be a difficult tie for the Hungarians. The highly rated David Gaspar has a nice mix of youth and experience to call upon, as well as a mix of returnees and additions.
Slovenia star Zala Friskovec is back with her scoring touch, while the frontcourt is reshaped with Nneka Ezeigbo and Serbian forward Masa Jankovic. Kennedy Todd-Williams joins after big things in EuroCup Women last season.
5. Emlak Konut
Path 3
Semi-Final: vs Panathinaikos A.C Final: vs Spar Girona
Emlak Konut look like they mean business this season with some eye-catching additions that can make a noise. A scoring presence has been brought with Reka Lelik and Lindsay Allen, while Stephanie Mavunga is a walking double-double and Pallas Kunaiyi and Elisa Penna add further muscle and threat under the basket.
With almost all their Turkish contingent back too, they could be dangerous. They will simply be ruing the fact they have been placed in a brutal Qualifiers Path 3 against tough opposition in both Panathinaikos A.C. and Spar Girona.
6. Kibirkstis-TOKS
Path 1
Semi-Final: vs Enea AZS Politechnika Poznan Final: vs Sopron Basket
The Lithuanian club will be excited for the possibilities that Path 1 presents, with what they will feel on paper at least, are winnable ties with Poznan and Sopron. The Lithuanian core has great veterans and strength with Giedre Labuckiene and Daugile Use, while Gabija Galvanauskaite is a super young talent ready to produce even more.
Zoe Wadoux has re-signed which gives more continuity and another big reason to be excited is the arrival of Nausia Woolfolk, Anna Makurat and Niyah Becker. The offensive firepower of Woolfolk could fire them to the First Round.
7. Panathinaikos A.C
Path 3
Semi-Final: vs Emlak Konut Final: vs Spar Girona
Making a deep run last season in EuroCup Women, Panathinaikos are now dreaming of EuroLeague Women and their bid will be led by a deep frontcourt. The outstanding Sedona Prince has put up eye-popping numbers before, while Ioanna Chatzileonti is capable of game-winning shows and new signing Khadijiah Cave is an elite performer.
With Sara Bejedi joining, that will add some quality and the question will be whether the backcourt has enough compared to the frontcourt. But the biggest issue is that they have potentially two super tough fixtures in waiting.
8. DVTK HUNTHERM
Path 2
Final: vs Zabiny Brno or KKZ Crvena Zvezda
It's great for DVTK HUNTHERM that they are already in the Final and have just one tie to navigate, but even with this positive, will they have the quality the need to advance? Compared to recent seasons there are fewer stars and it is probably going to have to be teamwork and their great home support that helps them ease through.
But do they have any quality difference-makers of ballers for the clutch moments? Maybe not and that is why they might miss out, but the energy and defense will be there. Nina Aho, Veronika Kanyasi and Julia Boros should shine.
9. Flammes Carolo Basket
Path 4
Semi-Final: vs KP Brno Final: vs Umana Reyer Venezia
This feels like a potential mistake having Carolo Basket so low, not least because they have almost double digit returnees. That should provide often underrated continuity and also cohesion and chemistry. Tiffany Clarke, Isabelle Strunc, Coline Franchelin, Maia Hirsch and Vaciana Gomis will all be leading contributors again this season.
Throw into the mix Czech national team baller Julie Pospisilova and it looks good. But with the availability of the influential Noemie Brochant uncertain and most importantly, facing Reyer in the Final, it looks a difficult challenge.
10. KKZ Crvena Zvezda
Path 2
Semi-Final: vs Zabiny Brno Final: vs DVTK HUNTHERM
Falling short last year in the Qualifiers despite having some leading European lights, it will be difficult again this time and especially after waving goodbye to their top seven contributors last season. Although Artemis Spanou, Savannah Wilkinson, Sofia da Silva and Lauren Scherf have all arrived to bolster the frontcourt lineup.
It's foolish to completely back against a Marina Maljkovic coached team and they could still get it done - with neither Zabiny Brno or DVTK holding any fears. But they're maybe missing 1-2 more quality and experienced ballers.
11. ENEA AZS Politechnika Poznan
Path 1
Semi-Final: vs Kibirkstis-TOKS Final: vs Sopron Basket
Arguably the most difficult club to rank since they don't have a lot of depth on paper, but they do have a brilliant three pronged attack. Lithuanian national team star Laura Miskiniene is back and there is potentially huge production in the backcourt and frontcourt respectively with the addition of Feyonda Fiztgerald and Gmrice Davis.
Both Kibirkstis-TOKS and Sopron Basket are clubs that Poznan can beat and they may well do, but they have a lot of their eggs in the basket of this leading trio and across two ties, it might be too much. They do have a shot, though.
12. KP Brno
Path 4
Semi-Final: vs Flammes Carolo Basket Final: vs Umana Reyer Venezia
The huge positive for KP Brno is that continuity has been achieved with the vast majority of last season's roster back on board. However, they have not been able to return their two main contributors and that places a big onus on incoming rookie duo Charlotte O’Keefe and Sara Puckett to produce from the first jump-ball.
Unfortunately for the Czech side they have arguably the toughest pathway, firstly facing Carolo Basket of France and then what is looking like a stacked Reyer team that'll be big favorites to advance as their top ranking suggests.
DISCLAIMER: The Power Rankings are put together by our expert panel. They are entirely subjective and are in no way a true and accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.
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