28 October, 2020
18 April, 2021
Jonquel Jones, Maria Vadeeva, Courtney Vandersloot, Viktoriia Zavialova
30/11/2020
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Everything you need to know about the first EuroLeague Women hub

MUNICH (Germany) - We're ready to touch down for the first ever EuroLeague Women hub and it promises to be an intense and action-packed start to the Regular Season.

As well as our guide below to what lies in store, you can also see our Power Rankings, plus 10 players who are on fire heading into the new campaign.  Note that both Galatasaray and Izmit Belediyespor will not take part in the December hub due to coronavirus issues.

You can find the full game schedule here.

Group A - Istanbul, TUR

Tradition

Dynamo Kursk: Have featured every year since their debut in 2014-15 and were crowned champions in 2017.
Nadezhda: Have competed in nine of the last 10 Regular Seasons, debuting in 2009 and famously making the Final in 2016.
Perfumerias Avenida: Have stepped out in 13 of the last 15 seasons and won the title for the first time in 2011.

Top Signing

Dynamo Kursk: What a boost to get the scoring power of the exciting Arike Ogunbowale who will post a debut season.
Nadezhda: There'll be a big focus on  forward Monique Billings who must make an impact to get her team out of the group.
Perfumerias Avenida: Katie Lou Samuelson is ready for her rookie EuroLeague Women season and will play with sister Karlie.

Key Player

Dynamo Kursk:  Forward Stephanie Mavunga could be the 'X-Factor' is she is firing on all cylinders
Nadezhda:  The three-point threat of Anastasiia Shilova remains one of the most under appreciated weapons in the competition.
Perfumerias Avenida:  The vast experience and leadership of Silvia Dominguez will be important both on and off the court.

Key Question

Dynamo Kursk: With talent on the roster as usual, can they find that all-important chemistry missing so badly last year?
Nadezhda: Do they have sufficient offensive firepower to truly compete?
Perfumerias Avenida: How much will Avenida miss those noisy fans who have made Pabellon Wurzburg a fortress in the past?

Group B - Istanbul, TUR

Tradition

Arka Gdynia: Spent 14 successive season in the competition between 1999 and 2012 and returned last season.
Fenerbahce: Beaten in the Final three times, they've appeared every year since 2007 and featured occasionally prior to that.
LDLC ASVEL Feminin: Still more or less new the 'New Kids on the Block', this is only their third Regular Season campaign.
ZVVZ USK Praha: They've not missed a season since 2004 and famously won their first title in 2015 on their home court.

Top Signing

Arka Gdynia: Greece national team warrior Artemis Spanou will help the underdogs in the toughest possible group.
Fenerbahce: German star Satou Sabally looks to be a particularly great pickup and everyone is excited for her rookie season.
LDLC ASVEL Feminin: Canadian forward Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe is a model of consistency and an absolute rock.
ZVVZ USK Praha: Ivana Dojkic is a super addition and proves an extra dose of scoring power and is also a potential clutch option.

Key Player

Arka Gdynia: Slovak NT playmaker Barbora Balintova was an impressive leader last season and will fulfill the same role again.
Fenerbahce: Cecilia Zandalasini has more competition for court time than ever, but will relish stepping up and delivering.
LDLC ASVEL Feminin: Marine Johannes has started the domestic season brilliantly and must continue in this vein on this stage.
ZVVZ USK Praha: The do-it-all Alyssa Thomas has been incredible in past seasons and top gear again makes Praha challengers.

Key Question

Arka Gdynia: Will they be the fly in the ointment for their group rivals by being competitive, resilient and staying in these tough games until the later stages?
Fenerbahce: With more depth than last year, will talented head coach Victor Lapena find the right rotations at the right times?
LDLC ASVEL Feminin: In a tough group, will they regret not keeping Belgian Cats' star and WNBA All-Rookie  team member Julie Allemand as their playmaker?
ZVVZ USK Praha: Do they have the collective mental strength of potential champions to successfully match their obvious talent?

Group C - Girona, ESP

Tradition

Famila Schio: Yet to make a Final, they have been ever present since 2009, also featuring sporadically in the previous decade. 
Spar Girona: Relative newcomers, they debuted in 2015-16 and have also appeared during the past couple of seasons.
TTT Riga: While success has not flowed during the modern era, TTT Riga dominated with 18 titles between 1960 and 1982.
UMMC Ekaterinburg: Have won five titles (2003, 2013, 2016, 2018 and 2019) and are perennial Final Four competitors.

Top Signing

Famila Schio: The late signing of Belgian Cats' star  Kim Mestdagh looks smart due to her scoring ability and vast experience.
Spar Girona:  Sweden NT leader Frida Eldebrink continues to be one of the most experienced and prolific scorers around.
TTT Riga: Ukrainian forward Taisa Udodenko is underrated and not played in the competition before, but could be a big hit.
UMMC Ekaterinburg:  UMMC's only addition was Belarusian Maryia Papova ,who must fight to gain significant minutes.

Key Player

Famila Schio: Sandrine Gruda remains one of the best players in the female game and her combo of steel and silk remains vital.
Spar Girona: Sonja Vasic will continue as a leader, a clutch performer and will put her team on her back and carry them if needed.
TTT Riga: Winger Binta Drammeh still seems to be the one player who can pull out a special scoring performance when needed.
UMMC Ekaterinburg: Emma Meesseman just gets better and better. She missed Belgian Cats' duty recently, so will be fired up.

Key Question

Famila Schio: What is Plan B if Gruda is in foul trouble or having a rare off night?
Spar Girona: What impact will changing a coach between the Qualifiers and Regular Season have on results at this level?
TTT Riga: Can they shoot the lights out in most games to at least stay competitive - especially from downtown?
UMMC Ekaterinburg: Will Coach Miguel Mendez continue to find the most effective rotations from his star laden roster?

Group D - Sopron, HUN

Tradition

Basket Landes: After years of competing in EuroCup Women, this is their maiden EuroLeague Women Regular Season.
Bourges Basket: They've only missed one season since the modern era relaunch and even won EuroCup Women when they were absent. Bourges are three-time champions (1997,1998 and 2001).
Sopron Basket: Have only missed one season since 2000 and have reached the Final Four three times in the last 11 years.

Top Signing

Basket Landes: Valeriane Vukosavljevic could be key if she plays like she did en-route to the 2019 Final Four with Praha 
Bourges Basket: Magali Mendy never gets the credit she deserves for productive campaigns with ESBVA-LM and Spar Girona.
Sopron Basket: The energy and versatility of Gabby Williams is something the Sopron fans are going to absolutely love.

Key Player

Basket Landes: The legendary Celine Dumerc has the chance for an unexpected swansong and she will love this opportunity.
Bourges Basket: Alexia Chartereau is now a bonafide leader for her team and must continue her excellent early season form 
Sopron Basket: Jelena Brooks is such a difference-maker in games. When the Serbian forward is playing well, so are Sopron. 

Key Question

Basket Landes: With all scouting reports focusing on Dumerc and Vukosavljevic, who else can step up in the clutch?
Bourges Basket: Do Bourges have the right level of quickness and athleticism to go with their physicality and experience?
Sopron Basket: Has the late signing of Glory Johnson provided the strength and rebounding power to get them out the group?

FIBA