EuroLeague Women Power Rankings, Volume 2

MUNICH (Germany) - With three weeks of EuroLeague Women Regular Season action now complete, there's been plenty of  talking points and it's an ideal time for the second volume of the Power Rankings.

Taking into account the initial results and performances, comparing it against expectations heading into the new campaign and the first volume of the rankings, here's how everyone is lining up now. 

1. ZVVZ USK Praha   (+1)

Season Record: 3-0

Who needs Brionna Jones? Praha have posted a flawless start but had to survive a dramatic tight squeeze last week at Bourges. Does Natalia Hejkova have any finger nails left? Alyssa Thomas is showing why she is one of the leading ballers on the planet with some awesome displays and her hand is so hot that anything she touches might just melt. Teja Oblak is balling great too, while Valeriane Vukosavljevic returning for a second spell looks a masterstroke. Are Praha the real team to beat, especially once Jones returns?

2. Sopron Basket   (+5)

Season Record: 3-0

We had to watch the SuperCup Women Final on YouTube again just to make sure it was actually Sopron who slumped against Bourges so badly. But it's went from nightmare to dreamland! They now look like a reigning champion defending a cherished title and with three wins, they have surpassed expectations. Last week Ezi Magbegor gave a glimpse of what might come, but the big bonus has been the electrifying form of Brittney Sykes. It's left Sopron fans asking: Courtney Vander-who?

3. Tango Bourges Basket   (+2)

Season Record: 2-1

The 2022 EuroCup Women winners are so defensively locked in, they probably follow their opponents into the street and onto their team bus after games. They should have beaten Praha last week, but missed opportunities down the stretch. That would have had them 3-0 and this reflects their generous move up the rankings. Kayla Alexander has played well since arriving, and young Pauline Astier is playing like Celine Dumerc at the same age - well almost. If they can improve on 27 percent perimeter shooting, they're Final Four material!

It's been a challenging start for Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding and their playcaller Marina Maljkovic

4. Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding  (-3)

Season Record: 1-2

BC Polkowice and Atomeromu KSC Szekszard took the script and shredded it to pieces. A bigger fall in the rankings is avoided as they're missing Emma Meesseman, Satou Sabally and Breanna Stewart, also losing Alina Iagupova after the first game. The impressive Natasha Howard is helping them steady the ship and the relief at getting a first win last week was palpable. There's no need to hit the panic button but the finger was poised for a while and seriously, there are better teams ahead than Polkowice, Szekszard and Olympiacos.

5. Perfumerias Avenida  (-1)

Season Record: 2-1

It's been a Jekyl and Hyde start. Two big home wins that screamed another deep run from Avenida this season, to a collapse at Schio last week that suggested they might be lucky to make the post-season. So which is the true face of Avenida? We will see. Certainly they can improve on their number of steals for example, but overall it's been reasonably well balanced and both Aleksandra Crvendakic and Julia Reisingerova have excelled. But do they have a real difference-maker to get back to Final Four? Hmmmm.

6. CBK Mersin Yenisehir Bld  (-4)

Season Record: 1-2

Nobody saw that coming did they? Mersin being the second lowest scorers after three games with just 61 points per game and two losses already. Who's fault is it? Or rather what are the reasons for it? It depends what Twitter accounts you follow, but now that Jonquel Jones is back putting up double-doubles that make your eyes pop, who cares? With her firing Mersin can start rising up. But they don't want to 'go all Bosnia and Herzegovina' and over rely solely on her, so the question is, who else will now step up on their roster?

7. Virtus Segafredo Bologna   (-2)

Season Record: 1-2

Reality has bitten hard after failing to execute in crunch time against Valencia and Bourges. It was agonizing, but in a case of third time lucky, they had a landmark night in Polkowice. With a win belatedly on the board, they can now push on. Ivana Dojkic always has instant offense, Iliana Rupert and Cheyenne Parker look solid inside and if Cecilia Zandalasini and Kitija Laksa can shift up a gear, excitement levels will rise. But they must take better care of the ball as it looks like they're trying to hold a slippery fish at times.

8. Beretta Famila Schio   (-)

Season Record: 2-1

We might be off Schio's Christmas card list (or at least for now) with not advancing them past their previous position, although in fairness they did need overtime to beat DVTK at home and forgot to turn up at Girona when losing by 20 points. But that win against Avenida last week was outstanding and even better things could be on the way. Marina Mabrey and Rhyne Howard have shown glimpses they could be a big force and Jasmine Keys continues to improve and turn heads. So apologies in having to be patient and sit tight with a  2-1 record, but we do hear you!

9. Valencia Basket Club  (-)

Season Record: 2-1

A winning record despite being without key players should surely mean a move up? Maybe, but it's tough to put Valencia on a higher footing until they've actually played some road games this season as that is a true test for anyone. History came on opening night with their first ever win and it was gripping. Then a loss against Praha and last week's victory against KSC Szekszard. That also saw the return of Alba Torrens from injury which made even neutrals smile.  Meanwhile is the impressive start of Lauren Cox a secret? Why is nobody talking about it? 

Spar Girona opened with two wins but were the opponents for Kangoeroes Mechelen's first ever win last week

10. Spar Girona   (-)

Season Record: 2-1

Everything was going so well - or at least until the final buzzer sounded in Belgium last week as they went down to a shock loss at Kangoeroes Mechelen. Up until then, Girona had gotten through the Qualifiers and had beaten both Basket Landes and Beretta Famila Schio. The feel good factor was back and now it will be hanging in the balance with an unbeaten Sopron next in line. It's not rocket science though is it? If you put all your eggs in the Rebekah Gardner basket and she goes 1-of-7 because she is allowed to have the rare bad game, what do you expect?

11. BC Polkowice  (+3)

Season Record: 2-1

Admit it, you were all singing "Polkowice for Champion" in Week 1  when they underdogs dismantled Fenerbahce weren't you? They played like F4 contenders when they then won at Olympiacos. Last week's home loss to Bologna has taken the shine off things a little, but the glass is still half full. Steph Mavunga continues to be a colossus with warrior Artemis Spanou alongside her; Zala Friskovec is playing solid on the wings and let's talk about Weronika Gajda who has shot poorly, but 18 assists is very impressive.

12. DVTK Hun-Therm  (+1)

Season Record: 1-2

Anyone with a nervous disposition had to avert their eyes when DVTK won that thriller against Mechelen. Even neutrals couldn't bare the tension when they collected a historic first victory in a game they should have probably lost.  But some quality support from the fans inside that fabulous arena and absolute primetime clutch from Puerto Rico guard Arella Guirantes helped them scrape over the line. They've lost to Sopron and only just got pipped in Schio, but it's a good sign five players are averaging double-digit scoring returns.

Atomeromu KSC Szekszard will never forget their first Regular Season win - it was a double overtime classic!

13. Atomeromu KSC Szekszard   (+2)

Season Record: 1-2

It was one of the most bonkers and entertaining games the competition has seen in memory. That jaw-dropping historic first ever win at the 16th attempt when they beat Fenerbahce in double-overtime was box-office and had everything. A basketball version of the good, the bad and the ugly. It helped erase some last year's 0-14 pain. Victoria Vivians and Ruth Hebard look like great additions to the team. Collectively, Szekszard must limit turnovers as they've almost handed out more assists to their opponents than themselves!

14. Kangoeroes Mechelen  (+2)

Season Record: 1-2

A deserved couple of places rise for Mechelen who are celebrating their first ever win in the competition in what could be a memorable rookie year. Shots have been fired with their super win against Spar Girona and remember, they let DVTK wriggle off the hook or they could have had two wins and been even further up in this list. Great job Arvid Diels and his players. They look like they are not going to be pushovers after all and will be hopping with excitement with that first win now racked up. Got to love Ziomara Morisson rolling back the years in particular. 

15. Basket Landes   (-4)

Season Record: 0-3

You didn't have to be one of life's great forecasters of the future to predict that scoring depth and muscle in the paint might be an issue. So far, three losses have confirmed pre-season concerns that they've over punched in recent seasons and that over-delivering may not be sustainable. Let's face it, 57 points per game is not going to get you positive outcomes very often. They're also bottom of the rebounding chart too. Nobody is averaging double-digits in efficiency and even with the talent of Marine Fauthoux, it looks a struggle..

16. Olympiacos SFP  (-4)

Season Record: 0-3

Olympiacos SFP be warned - Megan Gustafson is a human being and not a miracle-working basketball machine. Although after her performances so far, you might disagree. She's awesome, but when your marquee baller is pulling out displays from the top drawer and you still can't win, it's not exactly the best sign.  Giving up 83 and 89 points respectively in the last two games is an arrow pointing to another drawer - one marked defense. The dial needs to be turned as they probably don't have the offense to score 84+ to win games.

Disclaimer: The power rankings are entirely subjective and is in no way a true, accurate ranking systems. All comments are purely those of the author.