The Quarter-Finals are here: Who will reach the Final Four?

SALAMANCA / SOPRON (Spain / Hungary) - It's crunch time in EuroLeague Women as the race for Final Four enters the last straight, with hopes and dreams set to be made and broken.

The eagerly anticipated Quarter-Finals will be played across two legs. with the winners of each tie advancing to the coveted Final Four. The first-leg contests take place on Wednesday, March 17, with the second games on Friday, March 19.

 Fenerbahce Oznur Kablo  vs Galatasaray  

Istanbul juggernauts Fenerbahce Oznur Kablo and Galatasaray will do battle in a potentially explosive Quarter-Finals tie. There have been many legendary clashes between the teams down the years and not least the 2014 Final. Fenerbahce will head into the game as favorites because of their Regular Season record and dominance in the Turkish League, as well as a string of big-hitters including Alina Iagupova, Kayla McBride and Satou Sabally. Meanwhile, Galatasaray must do without headline act Angel McCoughtry, who has departed, although they do still have a very dangerous line-up, including the recently signed Sami Whitcomb.

Games

First leg: March 17, 17:00 CET
Second leg: March 19, 16:00 CET

Form Guide: Fenerbahce finished the Regular Season with a 5-1 record, while they still top the Turkish League with a brilliantly flawless 25-0 record. Galatasaray were 3-3 in the Regular Season and are occupying the second spot in the KBSL with a 22-3 record.

Match Up To Watch: With Australia's Sami Whitcomb on board, her scoring touch and especially from distance could be priceless for Galatasaray. It also sets up an alluring match-up against Alina Iagupova who made the move to Fenerbahce mid-season and lit it up in the last Regular Season hubs. 

Key Questions: Will the extra depth of Fenerbahce be the difference-maker in the tie and can they continue their impressive three-point shooting effort this season? Have Galatasaray got enough offensive firepower across the two games to keep pace?

Dynamo Kursk  vs UMMC Ekaterinburg  

Still the team that everyone feels they need to beat to be crowned champions, the UMMC trophy machine feels like it is well oiled as usual and on course for another title. With world-class options in every area for head coach Miguel Mendez, they remain huge favorites. As for Dynamo Kursk, it has been another roller-coaster. The good news is that they were highly competitive the last time they faced UMMC, losing by single digits, but at least causing some discomfort. Since the Regular Season hubs, Kursk have replaced head coach Elena Shakirova with Vasiliy Karasev.

Games

First leg: March 17, 15:00 CET
Second leg: March 19, 17:00 CET

Form Guide: UMMC were unbeaten during the Regular Season and also posted a perfect 18-0 campaign in the Russian Premier League. Dynamo Kursk were 3-3 in the Regular Season and finished second behind UMMC domestically with a 14-4 record. 

Match Up To Watch: Arike Ogunbowale is going to carry the hopes of Dynamo Kursk because of her offensive capabilities and ability to deliver in clutch moments. In the UMMC backcourt, Courtney Vandersloot has been a model of consistency all season and in contrast to the robust style of Ogunbowale, she has pulled the strings with typically under-stated efficiency. 

Key Questions: Can Dynamo Kursk inject more control into their play and limit the number of turnovers as they have more than any other club still left in the competition? Do they truly believe they can cause an upset? Will UMMC continue to play the kind of team ball that powers them so impressively, helped by that star-studded and mind-blowingly deep roster?

Spar Girona  vs Perfumerias Avenida  

It's a decade since Avenida last reached a Final Four and on that occasion, they went on to win the competition. Head coach Roberto Iniguez is in his first season at the club and has huge experience of taking the teams he coaches to the Final Four. But, his former employers and domestic rivals Spar Girona stand in the way and they have their own reason for wanting to take the next step. The first-time Quarter-Finalists have never appeared at the Final Four and having just won the Copa De La Reina for the first time, they want to extend an already historical season.

Games

First leg: March 17, 20:00 CET
Second leg: March 19, 19:00 CET

Form Guide: Avenida were a perfect 6-0 during the Regular Season and were looking dominant domestically. But they lost to Spar Girona in the Copa De La Reina Semi-Finals and also their first league match against Valencia, although they are still an eye-catching 26-1. Meanwhile, Girona won their first-ever Copa earlier this month and are 25-3 in the Spanish League, having finished 3-3 during the EuroLeague Women Regular Season. 

Match Up To Watch: Sonja Vasic and Tiffany Hayes have posted valuable contributions for their respective teams this season. Both will be looking to gain the upper hand on the wings and will be expected to make important scoring contributions. While different in style, they are both classy players who know how to get it done.

Key Questions: How will the big Copa De Le Reina clash impact both teams as they lock horns again? Will Girona hold a mental advantage and claim to now have their rivals' number, or will it fuel a revenge mission for Avenida? Can the hosts control the boards, or will Girona step up on the glass - the area with a noticeable disparity. 

LDLC ASVEL Feminin vs Sopron Basket  

It's still boom time for Sopron Basket who are pursuing a third appearance at the Final Four in the past four years and they have looked unstoppable so far. With multiple players in a rich vein of form, including center Bernadett Hatar who has just signed her first WNBA contract, everything looks set for success. However, while LDCL ASVEL Feminin have not quite hit the heights lately and suffered a mid-season wobble in form, the ambitious French side are within touching distance of history and their first-ever Final Four - and with a special player like Marine Johannes at their disposal - expect fireworks.

Games

First leg: March 17, 18:00 CET
Second leg: March 19, 20:05 CET

Form Guide: Sopron were an unbeaten 6-0 during the Regular Season and have already won the Hungarian Cup and posted a flawless 22-0 domestic campaign in the Hungarian Championship. Meanwhile, ASVEL were 4-2 in the Regular Season and are showing some erratic form in France with a 10-5 record that sees them behind expectation in 5th place, having lost three of the last four LFB games.

Match Up To Watch: While Gabby Williams has quite rightly deserved a lot of praise for her performances this season, the experienced Jelena Brooks has also shone brightly for Sopron. Perhaps it will be Canadian ace Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe who will be tasked with locking her down and the success she has in that quest could prove vital for LDLC ASVEL Feminin.

Key Questions: Will Sopron make home advantage count and continue to play with the same level of vibrancy and defensive intensity that was so effective during the Regular Season? Can LDLC ASVEL Feminin manage without the highly influential small forward Alysha Clark who is out injured with a foot injury?

FIBA