EuroLeague Women - Regular Season Week 7 Review

MUNICH (EuroLeague Women) - Women's basketball specialist Paul Nilsen reflects on the latest round of the 2015-16 EuroLeague Women season.

Magical Macchi still centre stage
A few weeks ago in Manchester, the trademark rain of this northern UK city was pummelling the roof of the Arena as Italy cut down Great Britain in the EuroBasket Women 2017 Qualifiers.

Each time the hosts thought they were about to take a step forward and potentially get a grip of the game, they were choked off by the unflappable quality of Italian veteran Laura Macchi, who hit some huge momentum-shifting shots. Now 36 years old, her age is sometimes what defines her in some people's eyes - perhaps as it does any player in the so-called 'twilight' of a career. Only when I look at Macchi, the first thing I think about is who is guarding her and whether that will make much difference.

A consistent and class act for so many years at the elite level and a bonafide star of this illustrious competition, her influence is far from waning. When she hit the first massive triple in overtime against Villeneuve d'Ascq, you sensed it was part one of a timely intervention for her team as Schio looked down the barrel of another hard-fought loss. And, true to both form and tradition, Macchi underlined her status as one of the great EuroLeague Women performers when seconds later, she calmly dropped another massive three-pointer which turned the tide in her team's favour.

She shot 63 percent and racked up 18 points - it was deja vu for me and I could almost hear the sound of rain on that Manchester roof. Most notably of all, Macchi was a colossus at both ends of the floor against Villeneuve and that is something so often overlooked. She offered 7 defensive rebounds, 4 precious steals and 2 block shots to reiterate just what an all-round quality player she really is. It's a pleasure to see her in any game and as much as she made it a miserable night for me in Manchester, you just have to tip your hat in admiration.

You can't keep greatness down
From one veteran to another, and the irrepressible Diana Taurasi. I remarked to a colleague in the middle of the UMMC Ekaterinburg-ZVVZ USK Prague game when Taurasi was looking a little off-colour that I was expecting her to still determine the result. Either her or Sonja Petrovic - another great player who was struggling for the visitors.

As it was, I did indeed call it as Taurasi plunged a knife through Prague's hearts with the clutch three-pointer. Although I take a little credit for prediction, since continuing the weather theme, that was like me sticking my head out of the door in England and saying it could rain. It probably will. Just like when Taurasi doesn't appear to be at her sparkling best, she will probably still come and bite you. You simply can't keep greatness down.

Walking out of the DIVS Arena on to the wintry streets of Ekaterinburg, fans will have rightly been talking about that shot. Where I was sat, I had to chuckle to myself that Taurasi had 19 points, 6 assists and sunk the decisive basket against the defending EuroLeague Women champions - yet overall, I had her down as having had an arguably mediocre game - or at least for her. But that is the standard we hold her too and she wouldn't have it any other way.

It also shows in oversized neon lights just how much of a genius she is, since if this performance is labelled as ordinary, you quickly remember how unstoppable she is when she goes off in a game. What a player and what a legend!

Weekly gongs
Team performance of the week: I confess I was absolutely torn. I am tempted to hand the award to Wisla Can-Pack for their outstanding efforts in turning around their season with a third straight win this week when they beat Agu Spor. However, I am going to give it to Beretta Famila Schio. They lost an indescribably physical and intense choker against Fenrbahce last week, then lost to domestic rivals Passalacqua Ragusa at the weekend and almost came unstuck at Villeneuve d'Ascq, but helped by Macchi - they showed great heart and character to dig out a precious overtime success.
Individual performance of the week: This award can be shared inside the Good Angels Kosice locker room between Shenise Johnson, Anna Jurcenkova and Zuzana Zirkova who all amassed fine double-doubles. It may not have been the most high-profile game and Uniqa Sopron are struggling, but that should not detract from the 21 points and 15 boards of Johnson, 15 points (seven-of-eight shooting) and 12 rebounds of Jurcenkova and 14 points and 10 assists of Zirkova which were all seriously impressive.
Unsung hero: Behind the headline makers Dewanna Bonner and Kayla McBride, there was a very efficient 11 points (five-of-seven from the field), three steals and three rebounds for Elena Beglova as Nadezhda eased past Castors Braine.
Rising star: This is a bit of a belated shoutout to 1997-born Virag Weninger of Uniqa Sopron who has scored in each of the last three games for her team from an impressive five-of-six attempts. She also hasn't turned the ball over once in 32 minutes of game time.

Crunching the numbers
- Despite her status as a point guard, Laia Palau grabbed a superb 12 defensive rebounds for ZVVZ USK Prague against UMMC and that was matched by Shenise Johnson of Good Angels Kosice this week. Crystal Langhorne of Kosice is the only other player this season to have achieved this feat - three times!
- Dynamo Kursk handed out more assists than any other team in a game this season when they set a new high tide mark of 27 against Perfumerias Avenida - beating their own record. They now complete the entire podium of the game-high assists chart.
- Beretta Famila Schio became only the third team this season to pull down 50 rebounds in a single game when they hit the landmark figure against Villeneuve d'Ascq.
- ZVVZ USK Prague made all 11 of their free throws against UMMC which is the highest perfect record from the line this season.

Footnotes
Fenerbahce clawed their way to a narrow win against Galatasaray in the Istanbul derby game which was low on points scored and perhaps also thrills, but still made for utterly compelling viewing. I thought Galatasaray stopped moving the ball in the final four minutes and perhaps went one-on-one too much - albeit against a very intense Fenerbahce defence. I can't wait for the return game already - the 10 February if you are asking and that is the final game day of the regular season!

Go to fibaeurope.com/euroleaguewomen for full coverage of the EuroLeague Women.

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