MUNICH (Germany) - The last eight teams standing are now getting ready to step out for what is shaping up to be four potentially outstanding EuroCup Women Quarter-Finals ties. As in previous rounds, ties will be played across two legs. The highest-seeded team, as per the Regular Season ranking, earning home advantage for the second leg.
The Quarter-Finals will be played on February 5 and 12 and the full schedule is available, here.
Panathinaikos A.C. vs CIMSA CBK Mersin
There's a big momentum behind Panathinaikos in terms of talk that they could be en-route towards silverware. This has come from the outstanding play of Sedona Prince, Feyonda Fitzgerald and also a fabulous home support, with almost 8,000 fans watching their last game. But they come up against a resurgent, deep and experienced Mersin side who are yet to lose in the competition and critically, will have home advantage in the second meeting. Key matchup: Sedona Prince (Panathinaikos) vs Luisa Geiselsoder (Mersin) Stats don't lie: Mersin will use their deeper rotation to maintain their intensity and offer an overall bigger scoring punch compared to their rivals. Their bench scoring is is a huge 24.3 against 11.9 for Panathinaikos. Meanwhile Mersin are also beasts in transition, sinking 25.5 fast break points per game compared to 11 for their opponents. At least Panathinaikos boast 13.4 second chance poins against 8.4 for Mersin, who must keep them off the glass.
Movistar Estudiantes vs Villeneuve d'Ascq LM
Last season Villeneuve d'Asq LM were crowned champions and beat an unlikely Final opponent in BAXI Ferrol. This time they must be wary of another Spanish surprise package in Movistar Estudiantes who dumped out Olympiacos in the Round of 16. The holders will be favorites, especially led by playmaker Alexis Peterson, but Estudiantes have shown that with Frieda Buhner and Nneka Ezeigbo dropping anchor in the paint, they pose a serious threat. Key matchup: Lisa Berkani (Estudiantes) vs Alexis Peterson (Villeneuve) Stats don't lie: Villeneuve are ruthless in punishing errors and score 23.8 points per game off turnovers, which is many more than the 15.3 in the same category for Estudiantes. In fact, the holders outperform the Spanish side in just about every single category - including bench scoring which is 28.9 points per game against 16.8.
Athiniakos Qualco vs Perfumerias Avenida
With both teams having lost only once this season to date, it underlines why both are frontrunners for the coveted silverware and also why this could be the pick of the ties. Athinaikos have great options and impressed in the last phase with a win double against Sopron. Meanwhile Avenida have fabulous home support, plenty of defensive intensity and a standout leader in Khadijiah Cave who has been so consistent and the centerpiece of their season. Key matchup: Ana Tadic (Athinaikos) vs Khadijiah Cave (Avenida) Stats don't lie: The defensive intensity and ball pressure of Avenida could be a huge factor as they look to disrupt Athinaikos. They average 12.9 steals per game and significantly more than the 7.5 that their opponents harvest. So well matched statistically, the only other major difference of any kind is the great job Athiniakos do on the defensive glass with 29.9 boards compared to 23.4 for Avenida.
LOTTO AZS UMCS Lublin vs BLMA
Both teams will know they have a great chance of progressing in what could be the closest of all the Quarter-Finals on paper at least. Lublin have Robbi Ryan and her ability from long-range to call upon and she will have to be shut down by BLMA. The French side are great in the paint and might look to really hammer the Polish side down low. Physicality will be a factor and success may well be defined on small details. It feels like a real coin-toss tie. Key matchup: Robbi Ryan (Lublin) vs Kyra Lambert (BLMA)
Stats don't lie: Lublin will look to retain their collective hot-hand from long-range as the best three-point shooting team in the competition at 39.1 percent compared to 30.7 percent for BLMA. Meanwhile the French side will be looking to exploit their superior firepower off the bench that provides 29.7 points per game, with Lublin only managing 19.3. BLMA are also powerful inside the paint with 38.2 points per game compared to 30.0 for the Polish team.
FIBA