Game of the Week: Galatasaray host Fenerbahce in the Istanbul derby

ISTANBUL (Turkey) - The new EuroLeague Women Regular Season is now upon us and there was only ever going to be one choice for the first Game of the Week as soon as the schedule threw up a potentially captivating and fiery Istanbul derby.

The legendary meetings between these fierce rivals need little introduction, since any clash between the world-famous Galatasaray and Fenerbahce is always one that has an extra spice - no matter what the circumstances, or even the sport for that matter.

There's a sense that this one has an extra special dimension to it because of the fact that it is the very first game of a brand new season. Victory or defeat could give either side an instant boost or put them under immediate pressure - as crazy as that sounds just one game in.

The live broadcast of the game between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce with commentary, will be freely available on EuroLeagueWomen.basketball, as well as YouTube, Facebook and Twitch at 18:00 CET on Wednesday, October 6.

Form guide: We have all been left guessing as to what shape these teams will be in, since the Turkish League season is not yet underway. Additionally, a number of players who have participated in the WNBA for each club have only just parachuted into their respective camps. For example Chelsea Dungee of Galatasaray and Kayla McBride of Fenerbahce.

Last meeting: These giants met in last season's Quarter-Finals with Fenerbahce advancing to the Final Four after winning on aggregate. The tie was played over two games instead of the usual three-game series because it was in the bubble in Salamanca. Fenerbahce won the first game as Alina Iagupova erupted for 32 points in a 91-74 victory, while Galatasaray won the second game 71-61 but it was not enough to overturn the deficit.

Key matchup: Somebody must try and slow down the scoring machines that are Fenerbahce duo Alina Iagupova and Kayla McBride. Especially the former. That task could go to Galatasaray captain Pelin Bilgic, but whoever it is, the success of their defensive work or not, will have a big impact on this game.

X-factor: Tempo and specifically, whether Galatasaray can slow the game down and control it. The hosts simply don't have the offensive firepower of Fenerbahce and will not be able to run and gun in the same way. The slower and more dominant defense is, the better for the home team. They held Nesibe to less than 50 points in a recent preparation game.

Meanwhile as well as the Istanbul derby, there are seven other games to enjoy this week.

Wednesday, October 6

Group A
Dynamo Kursk v VBW Arka Gdynia - 17:00 CET
BLMA v ZVVZ USK Praha - 19:30 CET
Umana Reyer v KSC Szekszard - 19:30 CET
Group B
TTT Riga v UMMC Ekaterinburg - 18:00 CET
Spar Girona v Sopron Basket - 19.15 CET

Thursday, October 7

Group A
Perfumerias Avenida Salamanca v MBA Moscow - 20.30 CET
Group B
Beretta Famila Schio v Basket Landes - 19:30 CET

FIBA