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In Week 2, the EuroLeague Women schedule was chock full of close games. Five of the eight matches were decided by five points or fewer, with perhaps the most important (for an early-season game, anyway) being Sopron’s 62-60 upset of Fenerbahçe.
The game wasn’t a pretty one, with neither team hitting 40 percent of its shots from the field. Fenerbahçe compounded its poor shooting with 15 turnovers, which turned out to be a deciding factor against Briann January and Sopron, who recorded just seven turnovers.
In case you missed it, the full game replay is available here:
Fenerbahçe vs. Sopron
Fenerbahçe will be back in action early in Week 3, looking to get back into the win column against Arka Gdynia. Elsewhere, star-studded UMMC Ekaterinburg gets even more powerful, while BLMA and Dynamo Kursk pit several WNBA stars against each other.
Wednesday, Oct. 30
Fenerbahçe Öznur Kablo vs. Arka Gdynia
When: 12:30 p.m ET
Where: Metro Energy Sports Hall, Istanbul
How to watch: FIBA YouTube Live Stream
Matchup details: It’s hard to see Fenerbahçe playing as poorly as they did in Week 2. Though WNBA fans will immediately recognize Elizabeth Williams and Kiah Stokes in the post, the team’s offense all starts with guard Alina Iagupova. If she plays better than she did last week, it will be an uphill climb for Arka Gdynia, who are still seeking their first win in EuroLeague play.
TTT Riga vs. Bourges Basket
When: 1:00 p.m. ET
Where: Olympic Sports Centre, Riga
How to watch: FIBA YouTube Live Stream
Matchup details: Both TTT Riga and Bourges Basket are 0-2 in EuroLeague play thus far, with Bourges owning a league-worst cumulative point differential of -39. They’ll need center Isabelle Yacoubou to play well against Riga, whose 42 rebounds per game rank second in EuroLeague Women. Meanwhile, Linnae Harper and Megan Huff will continue building their international experience in hopes of impressing WNBA scouts.
ZVVZ USK Praha vs. Gelecek Koleji Cukurova
When: 2:15 p.m. ET
Where: Královka Arena, Prague
How to watch: FIBA YouTube Live Stream
Matchup details: Alyssa Thomas put forth an incredible effort last week for ZVVZ USK Praha, scoring 31 points on 14-of-18 shooting while also recording 12 rebounds and 6.0 steals. Her squad will be favored against a Cukurova team that has struggled shooting the basketball (26.5 percent from 3-point range). Cukurova does have one of EuroLeague’s brightest young stars, however: Nia Coffey, who is currently averaging quite the stat line of 14.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 3.0 blocks per game.
Reyer Venezia vs. UMMC Ekaterinburg
When: 2:30 p.m. ET
Where: Palasport Taliercio, Venice
How to watch: FIBA YouTube Live Stream
Matchup details: Maria Vadeeva led the way for Ekaterinburg in Week 2, recording 30 points (14-of-18 shooting) and 10 rebounds. Courtney Vandersloot chipped in with 10 assists. Not enough for you? Jonquel Jones recently rejoined the team. If Ekaterinburg didn’t have unmatched depth and talent before, they certainly do now.
BLMA vs. Dynamo Kursk
When: 3:00 p.m. ET
Where: Palais des Sports de Lattes, Lattes
How to watch: FIBA YouTube Live Stream
Matchup details: Kursk currently sits atop Group B after narrowly escaping last week against Familia Schio. DeWanna Bonner and her team will look to improve to 3-0 with a victory over BLMA, who recently got a huge game from Stephanie Mavunga (27 points, 10 rebounds, 3.0 blocks).
Thursday, Oct. 31
Nadezhda vs. Castors Braine
When: 10:00 a.m. ET
Where: Orenburzhje Sport Hall, Orenburg
How to watch: FIBA YouTube Live Stream
Matchup details: Nadezhda had a rough go of things last week against Ekaterinburg, a game in which their biggest deficit was 34 points. Erica Wheeler and company will look to bounce back against Castors Braine, who are coming off an impressive victory against TTT Riga.
Spar CityLift Girona vs. Sopron Basket
When: 3:15 p.m. ET
Where: Pavelló Girona-Fontajau. Girona
How to watch: FIBA YouTube Live Stream
Matchup details: Sopron is currently allowing just 56.5 points per game in EuroLeague play. That defense will be put to the test against Brittney Sykes and Girona, who are still winless. Sykes will need to play better than she did last week when Girona got blown out by LDLC ASVEL Féminin.
Familia Schio vs. LDLC ASVEL Féminin
When: 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Pala Campagnola, Schio
How to watch: FIBA YouTube Live Stream
Matchup details: LDLC ASVEL Féminin may have turned it over 19 times in last week’s contest versus Girona, but they still scored 89 points. Marine Johannès and company are quickly establishing themselves as one of EuroLeague Women’s must-watch teams. Will they meet their match this week against Diamond DeShields and Familia Schio?