EuroLeague Women Power Rankings: Volume 5

MUNICH (Germany) - The end of the EuroLeague Women Regular Season is close and as the fight to make the Quarter-Finals reaches its climax and eyes start scanning the horizon towards Final Four, the Power Rankings are back.

Taking into account the performances and results in recent weeks and comparing with Volume 4, as well as considering mitigating factors such as absentees, injuries, additions and remaining fixtures, here's how it's looking.

1. Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding  (-)

Season Record: 10-2

Perhaps consecutive titles are not close to inevitable. But no sooner had those words cascaded from many mouths after they were humbled at Beretta Famila Schio, the juggernauts took action to bolster their roster. Who better (well apart from Breanna Stewart, of course) than Napheesa Collier to make a return? Her early-season performances were breathtaking and alongside Emma Meesseman, that surely opens the Fener trophy cabinet door wide open for more.

2. ZVVZ USK Praha  (-)

Season Record: 10-2

They had the best record in the competition up until last week's reverse at Villeneuve, so it's not exactly a time to overly worry about dropping a game. The extra depth this season looks to be working wonders and it was what everyone had been screaming for after last year's Final Four woes when the eggs were in the Alyssa Thomas basket. Deeper, even more team-orientated and with Ezi Magbegor in the season MVP mix, they have a bonafide title chance.

3. Cukurova Basketbol Mersin (+1) 

Season Record: 8-4

It's never ever boring, is it? They're onto a third coach this season and Alina Iagupova, one of their star ballers is now at Valencia. The script is always action-packed and the main character right now is Marina Mabrey who puts on her superhero cape each week and produces a special performance. They are so close to the Quarter-Finals they can almost touch that ticket and despite all of the upheaval and with their star guard on fire, good things might still lie ahead.

4. Casademont Zaragoza  (-1)

Season Record: 8-4

How are your fingernails, Zaragoza fans? Surely chewed to the bone by now? Are the rookies about to fall at the final hurdle of their Quarter-Final quest after being in such an amazing position for much of the season? That would be cruel if it happens, but they're still in control of their own destiny right now. That bad loss last week to Valencia was their worst of the season and they must respond. There will be unbearable tension for their army of followers!

5. DVTK HUN-Therm  (-)

Season Record: 9-3

It's been such a roller-coaster of late for DVTK and their supporters as well. But last week they finally did it and made history by reaching the Quarter-Finals for the first time in just their second Regular Season. Now, if they would make it to a maiden Final Four, the only question would be where to put the statue of Peter Volgyi outside of their arena. Still doing it without headline marquee ballers, DVTK are a delight to those of us who truly love a team-ethos first.

6. Beretta Famila Schio   (-)

Season Record: 8-4

If you take a look at the form book, then you might burn your hands on Schio's page as they have been on fire lately with five wins in six games. That is exceptional, but the only reason they're not in a higher spot is because there's still work to do and they're not quite in the last eight yet. Arella Guirantes has continued to be the poster player, but there have been many nice cameos. Could they really be ready to emulate last season's surprise Final Four spot? Maybe!

7. Villeneuve d'Ascq LM (-)

Season Record: 7-5

Still absolutely determined to crash that post-season party, you really have to hand it to Villeneuve d'Ascq LM and their head coach, Rachid Meziane. They are so tough to play against on their home court and beat ZVVZ USK Praha last week which turned heads and improved their record to 5-1 in front of their own fans. Kennedy Burke remains absolute prime-time, Janelle Salaun gets better and better, while inside from two-point range, this team is clinical!

8. Virtus Segafredo Bologna   (+4) 

Season Record: 6-6

What a turnaround! In the last edition of the Power Rankings, they dropped five places after a horror-show of five straight defeats and looked to be fading into obscurity. They were only just beaten last week in Mersin, otherwise things could have been even better! Massive credit after their mid-season drought to get back on track with three wins in four. Even better, everyone is contributing with role players like Francesca Pasa also stepping up. 

9. Valencia Basket Club (-)

Season Record: 6-6

Have they saved their best until last? Or have they left it a case of too little, too late? What a season of frustration it has been. But the flame of hope is still flickering as they look to sneak into the Quarter-Finals. The arrival of Alina Iagupova was a signing out of leftfield that few could have seen and she brings a much-needed boost on offense. Last week, Alba Torrens had one of her best displays of the season, so maybe it's happening - or not. What a close call!

10. Perfumerias Avenida  (-2) 

Season Record: 6-6

They could yet make the Quarter-Finals although it has been a few weeks packed full of highs and lows - including a major new signing in Bernadett Hatar, followed by a change of coach - the latter hardly ideal right in the last part of a race for the last eight. Loud and proud like always, the fans in Salamanca roared their team to a much needed victory against Basket Landes last week and even if they've dropped two places here, a top eight spot is still possible.

11. KGHM BC Polkowice  (-1) 

Season Record: 6-6

They're still fighting but if feels like the wheels may have come off after three losses in the last four games. Crucially, they are playing two rivals for the Quarter-Finals to finish in Avenida and Villeneuve. Brittney Sykes and Brianna Fraser have been slightly quieter of late and the team still struggles to force other teams into turnovers with ball pressure. The steals count remains low. But a win this week and suddenly the picture look brighter.

12. LDLC ASVEL Feminin (-1) 

Season Record: 3-9

Surely there was hardly anybody before the season tipped off that had ASVEL being eliminated from Quarter-Finals contention several weeks before the end of the campaign. Since the last volume of the rankings, they have been formally ruled out, with the club also advising David Gautier will not continue as coach. A big reboot is maybe required and to be fair to the playcaller, nobody else has had to cope with such high profile absences and injuries. 

13. Basket Landes  (-)

Season Record: 3-9

Cut and paste, then cut and paste again. Basket Landes continue to do what Basket Landes do in this competition. Their 3-9 record this season is probably a 'par score' in golfing terms and more or less what most people expected. They will want at least one more win and would love to upset French rivals Villeneuve this week. It's just they have been not good from downtown all season  and too many leading ballers have been consistently inconsistent. 

14. Serco UNI Gyor  (+1)  

Season Record: 2-10

Has Bridget Carleton stopped dropping triples yet or is she now shooting them from the parking lot? That was such a spectacular performance by the Canadian last week when she dropped those 41 points against a Polkowice side that must be suffering neck ache from watching them fly over and into the bucket. But on the flip-side, it seems incredible that this inspired only Gyor's second win of the season having suffered seven straight losses. Disappointing, really. 

15. Polski Cukier AZS UMCS Lublin  (+1)  

Season Record: 2-10

Their rookie campaign has been difficult as anticipated, but the recdent lockdown of DVTK gave everyone a big lift as they took a second victory. They needed to shut them down to win because at less than 57 points per game, Lublin just don't have firepower needed at this level and are the lowest scorers in the competition. The form and consistency of Elin Gustavsson has been impressive and they competed well against Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding last week.

16. ACS Sepsi-SIC   (-2)

Season Record: 2-10

It's really harsh on Sepsi, right? It's probably a fair point as they have the same 2-10 record as Gyor and Lublin. However, they also have two tough games left with Fenerbahce and then ASVEL on the road, which means their chances of a third win are maybe slimmer. But, they have two more wins than some people expected. The ASVEL victory will live long in club history and even if they finish 2-12, they should be hugely proud of their first season.

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