MUNICH (Germany) - A total of 16 teams are standing on the starting line looking locked and loaded as they get set for another EuroLeague Women season and the ultimate goal of winning silverware at Final Six.
But whether one of the favourites to take the trophy, underdogs or pitched somewhere in between, every club will play a central role in creating another unforgettable season storybook.
Group A
There's an eclectic feeling to Group A which spans a spectrum of last year's winners at one end with ZVVZ USK Praha, to the relatively low key and untested VBW Gdynia at the other. Tango Bourges Basket had a roller-coaster time in the Qualifiers and look tough to gauge as a result, while Spar Girona have added some interesting new faces so could be a dark horse if things click.
The favorites: Reigning champions ZVVZ USK Praha will be eyeing up successive titles and even after significant changes in personnel, they have a great looking roster. Their quality and depth should ensure pole position - especially with big experience to lead them in returnees like Brionna Jones and Valeriane Ayayi. The underdogs: Even if VBW Gdynia are clear underdogs they could still have a huge say on how it pans out if they manage to defy expectations and take down any of their opponents. They don't have any real superstar ballers to call upon, but could be a 'banana skin' for the other teams. Key matchup: Spar Girona and Tango Bourges Basket look like they could be the two clubs looking to shoot it out for second place if it goes with pre-season expectations. The duo could certainly serve up a couple of special games.
The star: Brionna Jones took MVP honors at the first ever Final Six as she led Praha to a glorious title success. The center is relentless, uber efficient in so many big games and just gets it done without too much fan fare. The rising star: Juste 'Magic' Jocyte is going to have everyone off their seats and is an absolute must-watch this season. Make sure you follow the Lithuanian's progress at Spar Girona as she tries to live up to the hype and her very fitting nickname. The X-factor: Taking over from a FIBA Hall of Famer like Natalia Hejkova could potentially be daunting and it will be fascinating to see how new Praha playcaller Martin Basta does in the hot-seat. At least he was an assistant to his predecessor which helps, but can he now successfully walk the walk in the biggest coaching chair?
Group B
If it looks like a two-horse race for supremacy between a re-stocked Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring, as well as a dangerous looking Beretta Famila Schio. Meanwhile Sopron Basket might be better than some observers think and will need to be respected as Hungarian champions, with Flammes Carolo Basket eager to upset the odds and show they aren't here to make up the numbers.
The favorites: It's probably a coin toss, but maybe after a an eye-catching summer of recruitment, Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring just about edge out Beretta Famila Schio for this label. Bringing in a reiging champ like Teja Oblak and a megastar like Marine Johannes - as well as forming a strong frontcourt gives them a great platform to build from. The underdogs: Flammes Carolo Basket will be wondering what they have done to deserve such a tough group. However, the French side might be ready to dish out a few unexpected stings to their opponents and especially on their home floor where teamwork could trump star power. Key matchup: The two games between Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring and Beretta Famila Schio could be sensational with so many elite stars on show after Schio also recruited impressively. This includes ex-Galatasaray guard and Italian national team leader Cecilia Zandalasini.
The star: Marine Johannes still has truly blockbuster appeal because of her ability to not only contribute to wins and success with her skills and influence, but also the way she continues to play the game. Brace yourself for more amazing plays and the entertainment levels being turned up to max. The rising star: While Nika Muhl of Sopron Basket doesn't fit the usual criteria of a rising star in terms of her age profile, she's still not completed a full pro-season. The UConn graduate was injured early last year, but now we are set to enjoy her being on on the floor again and having a big impact for her new club. The X-factor: Sopron could end up being 'sleepers' in this group. While everyone is focused on the big shootout between Galatsaray and Schio, or expecting Carolo to struggle, will the Hungarian club slide themselves into a top two spot? They don't only have Muhl, but Serbian legend Jelena Brooks who will retire at the end of the season, plus Slovenian sharp-shooter Zala Friskovec and new arrival Tara Wallack.
Group C
If Fenerbahce Opet are to live up to the hype, then only regaining the title they lost will do. Especially after plenty of super signings which gives them a jaw-dropping lineup. They will be tested against Valencia Basket Club who attained their best-ever finish last year. The group looks split straight down the middle with DVTK HUNTHERM and Olympiacos SFP looking to somehow bridge a gap in depth, options and most critically of all, scoring firepower.
The favorites: Fenerbahce Opet look as if they have taken losing their crown badly. They have channelled frustration into the transfer market this past summer and assembled perhaps as good a roster as they have ever had. The list of names and especially in the frontcourt is crazy good. The underdogs: It was a slog last time for Olympiacos SFP in the competition and a similar fate awaits on paper at least. The good news is that the Greek club doesn't play on paper and will feel confident they can at least compete when they get onto the floor and perhaps take the scalp of DVTK at least.
Key matchup: In their quest for a top two spot, the highly fancied Valencia Basket Club will need to take a pair of victories against DVTK HUNTHERM who can be an awkward opponent at home in front of their fans. Valencia will be favorites to complete that mission, but the crunch game in Miskolc could be decisive.
The star: Emma Meesseman needs little or no introduction after being crowned EuroLeaage Women MVP in back-to-back seasons and now the history-maker looks intent on adding her to truly astonishing resume. You can be sure the Belgian standout will get better and better as the season unfolds - individually and in the team context. The rising star: French center Dominique Malonga will make her debut in the competition. Being at Fenerbahce means she could be about to super-charge her exciting development by simply practicing every day against the likes of Emma Meeseman, Jonquel Jones and Iliana Rupert. The X-factor: If this Fenerbahce roster really is the best the club has ever assembled, or at least has the potential to be, how does Miguel Mendez put the pieces together and keep everyone in a high gear? It's probably a puzzle most coaches would love to have, but it's going to be interesting to see the rotations and style of play.
Group D
CIMSA CBK Mersin will have their eyes back on their usual challenge of landing a first title and new head coach Georgios Dikaioulakos could be the difference-maker. Casademont Zaragoza have probably still not come down from the high of their Qualifiers heroics and Spanish SuperCup success. Basket Landes will try to retain their moniker of punching above their weight and Umana Reyer Venezia are surely destined to finally make some noise.
The favorites: CIMSA CBK Mersin contested the title game last season and will still be kicking themselves that a first piece of silverware slipped through their hands. They have made a lot of changes in the summer but one thing has not altered and that is a quality lineup being put together. This group will still be tricky, but holds few fears for them. The underdogs: Take your pick. There looks to be virtually nothing between all the other teams in the group, with Basket Landes, Casademont Zaragoza and Umana Reyer Venezia equalling likely to finish in 2nd, 3rd or 4th position. Key matchup: There are potentially so many games outside those taking place in Mersin that will be too close to call. So, is Group D providing what is effectively an additional 'mini-group' with the three other teams and will these matchups be the ones to truly scrutinize?
The star: How can we look past Mariona Ortiz of Casademont Zaragoza? Loved and revered by everyone at the club, the experienced Spanish guard dragged her dream from the cliff edge into the Regular Season. With her ever-impressive defense, awesome leadership qualities and ofen underrated offensive skills, she's set to shine yet again. The rising star: Make it a Zaragoza double as there is no taking your eyes off EuroCup Women 2025 MVP Carla Leite. The French guard has only played for a short time in this competition during her blossoming career, but showed in taking Villeneuve d'Ascq LM to EuroCup Women silverware what an exciting talent she is. The X-factor: Not for the first time, the 'X-Factor' might just be Landes being able to win regularly on their homecourt - something that has seen them deliver big wins time and time again. Their tight and compact Arena, with some very vocal locals, always makes it a difficult place for other teams to dig out a result.
FIBA