Swish Appeal - EuroCup/EuroLeague 2019 centralBasketball is basketball.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49391/swish-fave.png2019-04-15T11:00:00-04:00http://www.swishappeal.com/rss/stream/179880682019-04-15T11:00:00-04:002019-04-15T11:00:00-04:00Recap: UMMC Ekaterinburg wins EuroLeague Women championship over Dynamo Kursk
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<img alt="Seattle Storm v Phoenix Mercury - Game Three" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UyW7Oo2ZZVGVv9aBPnAC39aJ7Zw=/0x29:1500x1029/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63410237/1061293520.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brittney Griner led UMMC Ekaterinburg to the EuroLeague Women championship and won the Final Four MVP award. | Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Brittney Griner is the Final Four MVP, while Breanna Stewart may have torn her Achilles. USK Praha won the third place game, 63-54.</p> <p id="JDzWYz">The EuroLeague Women’s Final Four weekend is now complete. UMMC Ekaterinburg won its fifth continental title, while USK Praha won the third-place game. Here’s how both games went down.</p>
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<h2 id="SWKwHn"><strong>UMMC Ekaterinburg blows out Dynamo Kursk, 91-67 </strong></h2>
<p id="rrrO1d">UMMC Ekaterinburg <a href="http://www.fiba.basketball/euroleaguewomen/18-19/game/1404/UMMC-Ekaterinburg-Dynamo-Kursk">made quick work</a> of their rivals, shooting 61 percent from the floor and 50 percent from three to win the EuroLeague Women championship.</p>
<p id="cNdERf">Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner was <a href="http://www.fiba.basketball/euroleaguewomen/18-19/news/mvp-griner-gets-it-done-for-ummc">named</a> the EuroLeague Women Final Four MVP, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the victory. A case for the MVP award could also have been made for <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/courtney-vandersloot">Courtney Vandersloot</a>, who scored 18 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, dished 7 assists and made 3 steals in the championship. Vandersloot was <a href="https://www.swishappeal.com/2019/4/13/18308130/euroleague-women-final-four-recap-kursk-ummc-breanna-stewart-courtney-vandersloot-brittney-griner">nearly as strong</a> in the semifinals as well.</p>
<p id="uDEJD7">But their performances don’t seem to matter as much with the news that Seattle Storm forward 2018 WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart injured her right foot in the second quarter of game. At the time, Kursk was already losing by double digits.</p>
<p id="T5E4kC">According to FIBA’s Paul Nilsen, Stewart <a href="https://twitter.com/basketmedia365/status/1117524701390233600">tore her Achilles tendon</a>. If this is the case, she will likely miss at least the 2019 WNBA season. Stewart’s injury didn’t just make an impact on Kursk; it also impacts the Storm’s immediate and medium-term future.</p>
<aside id="cs1Ogw"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Stewart suffers leg injury in EuroLeague Women Finals, may have torn Achilles","url":"https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/4/14/18310696/wnba-fiba-euroleague-women-finals-breanna-stewart-achilles-tendon-injury"}]}'></div></aside><hr class="p-entry-hr" id="9P8NMQ">
<h2 id="09OhH3"><strong>USK Praha wins third-place game, 64-53, over Sopron Basket</strong></h2>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/ZVVZUSKPRAHA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZVVZUSKPRAHA</a> eased out <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeagueWomen?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeagueWomen</a> Final Four hosts <a href="https://twitter.com/WBSopron?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WBSopron</a> Basket 64-53 in a low scoring but absorbing Third Place Game!<br><br> <a href="https://t.co/5omBcvfJoC">https://t.co/5omBcvfJoC</a> <a href="https://t.co/aT7ST1dsJo">pic.twitter.com/aT7ST1dsJo</a></p>— EuroLeague Women (@EuroLeagueWomen) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeagueWomen/status/1117485012448735232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2019</a>
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<p id="LM8Mu4">The day’s first match featured the hometown Sopron against their Czech foes. Though this game ultimately was a <a href="http://www.fiba.basketball/euroleaguewomen/18-19/game/1404/Sopron-Basket-ZVVZ-USK-Praha#%7Ctab=boxscore">double-digit loss</a> for Sopron, they were down by just two at the start of the fourth quarter. But USK Praha held them to just seven points the rest of the way.</p>
<p id="7PvrfH"><a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/isabelle-harrison">Isabelle Harrison</a> scored 14 points to lead USK Praha, while <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/alyssa-thomas">Alyssa Thomas</a> scored another 13 points. But Thomas was held to just 5-of-14 shooting in the low-scoring affair. </p>
<p id="hH7jkJ"><a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/yvonne-turner">Yvonne Turner</a> led Sopron with 12 points.</p>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2019/4/15/18310459/fiba-euroleague-women-final-recap-ummc-dynamo-kursk-usk-praha-sopron-brittney-griner-breanna-stewartAlbert Lee2019-04-14T21:00:23-04:002019-04-14T21:00:23-04:00BREAKING: It has been confirmed that Breanna Stewart has a torn Achilles
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<img alt="Seattle Storm v Phoenix Mercury - Game Three" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Y-t1aCtmWAb9adJcDTONx8kbNSc=/0x140:1711x1281/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63408724/1061293594.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Breanna Stewart was carried off the court in the second quarter when Dynamo Kursk was playing UMMC Ekaterinburg in the EuroLeague Women Finals. | Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Seattle Storm and Dynamo Kursk star hurt her right ankle in the second quarter of the EuroLeague Women Finals against UMMC Ekaterinburg. The news was made by Dynamo Kursk on Tuesday, April 16. She is almost certain to miss the 2019 WNBA season.</p> <p id="XuFwTW">The news the basketball world has feared has come to pass. Breanna Stewart’s right leg injury has been confirmed as a torn Achilles tendon, according to Dynamo Kursk, via EuroLeague Women’s Twitter account. </p>
<p id="pwdSLT">Although a prognosis for he recovery has not been provided, she is almost certain to miss the entire 2019 WNBA season. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/KurskBasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KurskBasket</a> have stated <a href="https://twitter.com/breannastewart?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BreannaStewart</a> has suffered a torn achilles. We would like to wish Stewie a speedy recovery . We can't wait to see her back in action. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeagueWomen?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeagueWomen</a> <a href="https://t.co/eY8y8AWuGh">pic.twitter.com/eY8y8AWuGh</a></p>— EuroLeague Women (@EuroLeagueWomen) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeagueWomen/status/1118103641267871744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2019</a>
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<p id="ga0Grr"><em>Original story appears below:</em></p>
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<p id="9hfWwC"><a href="http://storm.wnba.com">Seattle Storm</a> forward and reigning WNBA MVP <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/breanna-stewart/">Breanna Stewart</a> suffered a right foot injury with less than a minute remaining in the second quarter of the EuroLeague Women championship for Dynamo Kursk against UMMC Ekaterinburg on Sunday, April 14, in Sopron, Hungary. </p>
<p id="NPdWaY">Stewart landed on <a href="http://mercury.wnba.com">Phoenix Mercury</a> center <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/brittney-griner">Brittney Griner</a>’s foot and felt sharp pain in her ankle. She was carried off from the court and did not return. </p>
<p id="SMmykb">You can <a href="https://twitter.com/WEREONLIVE/status/1117507564583960577">watch the play here</a>. </p>
<p id="gssrZS">UMMC won the game and the FIBA EuroLeague Women championship, <a href="http://www.fiba.basketball/euroleaguewomen/18-19/news/dominant-ummc-retain-crown-after-sweeping-aside-rivals">91-67</a>.</p>
<p id="Cykl8Z">According <a href="https://twitter.com/basketmedia365/status/1117524701390233600">Paul Nilsen of FIBA</a>, the injury is a torn Achilles’ tendon. If this is the case, Stewart will miss the entire 2019 WNBA season since such injuries can take up to one year to heal and rehabilitate.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">⚠️TORN ACHILLES ⚠️<br><br>Looks like a bad one for <a href="https://twitter.com/breannastewart?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@breannastewart</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeagueWomen?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeagueWomen</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WNBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WNBA</a> <a href="https://t.co/7Jcp6BbdDk">pic.twitter.com/7Jcp6BbdDk</a></p>— Paul Nilsen: WBB Consultant (@basketmedia365) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketmedia365/status/1117524701390233600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2019</a>
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<p id="7elkUA">However, there will also be no official announcement from Stewart until Monday, according to her agent, as reported by ESPN’s Mechelle Voepel.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">According to her agent, we may not have official word on Breanna Stewart's injury until tomorrow. Obviously, the video looks bad. Everyone is hoping for the best for the 2018 WNBA MVP.</p>— Mechelle Voepel (@MechelleV) <a href="https://twitter.com/MechelleV/status/1117578751162900481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2019</a>
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<p id="e0ExsK">WNBA players were quick to react on social media when learning about the bad news.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Prayers up for <a href="https://twitter.com/breannastewart?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@breannastewart</a> ❤️ there is no game or win worth an injury like this.</p>— Amanda Zahui B. (@AmandaZahuiB) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmandaZahuiB/status/1117512749020590081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Praying for you Stew ♥️ Minor set back for a major come back ! Love you ! <a href="https://twitter.com/breannastewart?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@breannastewart</a></p>— Moriah Jefferson (@_BonnBonn) <a href="https://twitter.com/_BonnBonn/status/1117526673195507713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Damn it I’m sorry <a href="https://twitter.com/breannastewart?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@breannastewart</a> prayin for you </p>— Kelsey Plum (@Kelseyplum10) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kelseyplum10/status/1117527655174365184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Man prayers up for <a href="https://twitter.com/breannastewart?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@breannastewart</a> .... sending my prayers up ❤️❤️❤️</p>— Lynetta Kizer (@Lkizer12) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lkizer12/status/1117536899214848012?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2019</a>
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<p id="M1Svqt">For Seattle fans, Stewart’s injury is devastating news, and a blow to the WNBA in general. </p>
<p id="70wPrO">The Storm are coming off a 2018 WNBA championship with Stewart winning the league’s regular season and Finals MVP awards. Seattle still has a strong nucleus with point guard Sue Bird and forward Natasha Howard. But if Stewart is out, it seems unlikely the Storm will repeat as champions this season.</p>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2019/4/14/18310696/wnba-fiba-euroleague-women-finals-breanna-stewart-achilles-tendon-injuryAlbert Lee2019-04-13T03:00:00-04:002019-04-13T03:00:00-04:00Breanna Stewart is one game away from a possible FIFTH MVP award in a year
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<img alt="WNBA: Finals-Seattle Storm at Washington Mystics" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Q8hwcxSmzpTJNhI7o2mh3YV14vY=/0x0:3496x2331/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63403632/usa_today_11231881.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Breanna Stewart scored 32 points for Dynamo Kursk in their EuroLeague Women Final Four matchup against USK Praha. | Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Breanna Stewart scored 32 points for Dynamo Kursk to advance to Sunday’s championship game. She’ll face UMMC Ekaterinburg for the title, for whom Courtney Vandersloot and Brittney Griner had strong Final Four performances of their own. </p> <p id="ZR0OyB">The semifinals of the EuroLeague Women Final Four are now complete. Here’s what went down:</p>
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<h2 id="EeHTa0"><strong>With big third quarter, Dynamo Kursk blows out USK Praha, 84-67</strong></h2>
<p id="qRnHpp">In the first matchup of the day, Dynamo Kursk blew out USK Praha to advance to the championship. <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/breanna-stewart/">Breanna Stewart</a> dominated with 32 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks for the victors. <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/natasha-howard">Natasha Howard</a> added 22 points and 10 rebounds for Dynamo Kursk.</p>
<p id="JHFABI">For USK Praha, <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/alyssa-thomas">Alyssa Thomas</a> scored 14 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. However, she was held to just 5-of-16 shooting. <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/isabelle-harrison">Isabelle Harrison</a> was also held to a low-scoring outing, with just 6 points on 3-of-11 shooting.</p>
<p id="NVVKKE">Though this game was a blowout, it was relatively close in the first half, with Dynamo Kursk leading 43-38. In fact, there were 15 lead changes. But a big 24-9 run in the third quarter decided the outcome of the game. Even then, Stewart still scored 11 points in the first quarter alone.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/breannastewart?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@breannastewart</a> with 11 PTS in the opening quarter already ! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeagueWomen?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeagueWomen</a><br><br> <a href="https://t.co/XEMxkjymBC">https://t.co/XEMxkjymBC</a><br> <a href="https://t.co/ClSDJJid5P">https://t.co/ClSDJJid5P</a><br> <a href="https://t.co/AZ1aNBPXWi">https://t.co/AZ1aNBPXWi</a><a href="https://twitter.com/seattlestorm?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@seattlestorm</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WNBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WNBA</a> <a href="https://t.co/k6GdYT9grk">pic.twitter.com/k6GdYT9grk</a></p>— EuroLeague Women (@EuroLeagueWomen) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeagueWomen/status/1116722317172674560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2019</a>
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<p id="qXsnHp">If Dynamo Kursk wins the EuroLeague Women championship, Stewart would be in a great position to win her <a href="https://www.swishappeal.com/2019/4/12/18304615/fiba-euroleague-women-final-four-preview-usk-praha-dynamo-kursk-ummc-sopron-breanna-stewart">fifth MVP award</a> within a year.</p>
<h2 id="mnzEqp"><strong>Courtney Vandersloot leads UMMC to 81-57 rout of Sopron Basket</strong></h2>
<p id="bz5eCI">In a rematch of 2018’s EuroLeague Women championship, UMMC Ekaterinburg played Sopron Basket. And for the second year in a row, the Russian superpower team won.</p>
<p id="Szcw5f">Unlike the Dynamo Kursk victory, UMMC had a more even team effort. <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/courtney-vandersloot">Courtney Vandersloot </a>erupted for 15 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists while <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/brittney-griner">Brittney Griner</a> led UMMC with 19 points and 8 rebounds. She also blocked three shots, including this one:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">BG with the and the staredown . <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeagueWomen?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeagueWomen</a><a href="https://twitter.com/brittneygriner?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@brittneygriner</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WNBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wnba</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PhoenixMercury?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PhoenixMercury</a> <br><br> <a href="https://t.co/XEMxkjymBC">https://t.co/XEMxkjymBC</a><br> <a href="https://t.co/ClSDJJid5P">https://t.co/ClSDJJid5P</a><br> <a href="https://t.co/AZ1aNBPXWi">https://t.co/AZ1aNBPXWi</a> <a href="https://t.co/1yLXCxRknF">pic.twitter.com/1yLXCxRknF</a></p>— EuroLeague Women (@EuroLeagueWomen) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeagueWomen/status/1116773919027916800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2019</a>
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<p id="0RfEav">For Sopron, <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/yvonne-turner">Yvonne Tuner</a> led with 15 points in the loss.</p>
<p id="A87XGg">UMMC and Sopron were in a tight first half with UMMC threatening to blow the game open in the first quarter and Sopron making a big 25-15 run in the second quarter. But like the Dynamo Kursk versus USK Praha game, UMMC put on a defensive clinic on their Hungarian foes, going on a 39-20 run in the second half. </p>
<p id="zo1cDA">The championship game is Sunday, April 14, at 2:30 p.m. ET, and it will be followed by a battle for third place. All EuroLeague Women Final Four Games can be streamed for free on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/fiba">FIBA’s YouTube channel</a>.</p>
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<aside id="jsSQ18"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"EuroCup/EuroLeague 2019 central","url":"https://www.swishappeal.com/2019/2/13/18224027/fiba-eurocup-euroleague-2019-central"}]}'></div></aside><p id="WJuUAw"></p>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2019/4/13/18308130/euroleague-women-final-four-recap-kursk-ummc-breanna-stewart-courtney-vandersloot-brittney-grinerAlbert Lee2019-04-12T08:00:00-04:002019-04-12T08:00:00-04:00EuroLeague Women Final Four Preview: Breanna Stewart goes for fifth MVP award in just one year!
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<img alt="WNBA Finals - Game Three" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XhzwDpXo6JZBx5TYUgahBjtU5rs=/0x258:3648x2690/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63396450/1032498388.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Breanna Stewart is the reigning WNBA MVP. Can she add a EuroLeague Women Final Four MVP award to her resume this week? | Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>UMMC Ekaterinburg will go for a second consecutive title. And Breanna Stewart has a good chance of winning a fifth MVP award in just one year!</p> <p id="2BDDci">The EuroLeague Women Final Four is finally here! Europe’s top women’s professional basketball title will be <a href="https://www.fiba.basketball/euroleaguewomen/18-19/news/euroleague-women-final-four-to-return-to-sopron">decided this weekend in Sopron, Hungary</a>, with four teams looking to bring home the title!</p>
<h2 id="hwWhQz"><strong>What is the format of EuroLeague Women?</strong></h2>
<p id="qLXea9">Unlike EuroCup Women’s semifinals and finals rounds, EuroLeague Women’s Final Four is a single-elimination tournament. The winners in the semifinals will play for the championship while the losers will play for third place.</p>
<h2 id="ogdOa5"><strong>What’s at stake?</strong></h2>
<p id="FreoQd">Besides the continental title, the EuroLeague Women Final Four champions get an automatic berth in the group stage of EuroLeague Women for the 2019-20 season. Winning this berth now in EuroLeague Women can make things a little easier if teams get upset in the playoffs in domestic competition, which would make it hard for them to win a spot that way. If the EuroLeague Women champion also wins the domestic league, one more team from the winner’s domestic league is allowed into the group stage.</p>
<h2 id="fq6waf"><strong>How can I watch?</strong></h2>
<p id="iS6a9D">All EuroLeague Women Final Four Games can be streamed for free on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/fiba">FIBA’s YouTube channel</a>.</p>
<h2 id="13qzdg"><strong>USK Praha (Czech Republic) vs. Dynamo Kursk (Russia)</strong></h2>
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<strong>When: </strong>Friday, April 12, at 11 a.m. ET</li>
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<strong>Where are these teams in their domestic leagues?</strong> USK Praha, <a href="https://www.eurobasket.com/fullstandings.asp?SectionID=46&League=11">first in the Czech ZBL</a> with a 20-0 record, will play Zabiny Brno in the ZBL Finals starting April 17. Dynamo Kursk is tied for <a href="https://www.eurobasket.com/Russia/basketball.asp?women=1">first place in the Russian PBL</a> with a 17-1 record. They will play the PBL Finals against UMMC Ekaterinburg starting April 20.</li>
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<strong>Notable WNBA Players: </strong>For USK Praha, their WNBA players are <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/alyssa-thomas">Alyssa Thomas</a> (Sun), <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/isabelle-harrison/">Isabelle Harrison</a> (Aces) and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/leticia-romero">Leticia Romero </a>(<a href="http://wings.wnba.com/">Wings</a>). For Dynamo Kursk, <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/epiphanny-prince">Epiphanny Prince</a> (<a href="http://liberty.wnba.com/">Liberty</a>), <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/breanna-stewart">Breanna Stewart</a> (<a href="http://storm.wnba.com/">Storm</a>) and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/natasha-howard">Natasha Howard</a> (Storm) are on the roster.</li>
<li id="Cz79E4">
<strong>Notes: </strong>Dynamo Kursk comes into this competition looking for its second EuroLeague Women title <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_EuroLeague_Women">since 2016-17</a>. Breanna Stewart gives the team a great chance to win it again because she is the competition’s leading scorer, at 20.9 points per game. Though she is putting up big numbers, Stewart is also playing nearly 36 minutes per game since this team doesn’t have the depth that rival UMMC Ekaterinburg has. Still, Dynamo Kursk is the favorite against USK Praha, where Thomas is the top player, averaging 17.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. If Dynamo Kursk wins the EuroLeague Women title, expect Stewart to win the Final Four MVP. It will cap off an excellent year where she also won the <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/seattles-breanna-stewart-named-2018-most-valuable-player/">2018 WNBA MVP</a>, <a href="https://www.swishappeal.com/2018/9/12/17852144/wnba-2018-recap-the-seattle-storm-are-the-2018-wnba-champions-breanna-stewart-natasha-howard">Finals MVP</a>, <a href="https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2018/10/8/17951536/breanna-stewart-wnba-fiba-most-valuable-player-awards">FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup MVP</a> and the <a href="http://www.fiba.basketball/euroleaguewomen/18-19/news/incredible-engagement-by-fans-as-they-determine-regular-season-award-winners">FIBA EuroLeague Women regular season MVP</a> awards — <em>since last August</em>!</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="WvDjN3"><strong>UMMC Ekaterinburg (Russia) vs. Basket Sopron (Hungary)</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li id="vMTM4s">
<strong>When: </strong>Friday, April 12, at 2 p.m. ET</li>
<li id="eD0jxt">
<strong>Where are these teams in their domestic leagues?</strong> Sopron finished <a href="https://www.eurobasket.com/Hungary/basketball.asp?women=1">first in the Hungarian A Division</a> with a 22-0 record and is in the semifinals of its domestic league’s playoffs. UMMC tied for <a href="https://www.eurobasket.com/Russia/basketball.asp?women=1">first place in the Russian PBL</a> and plays Dynamo Kursk in the PBL Finals.</li>
<li id="6Gc92O">
<strong>Notable WNBA Players: </strong>UMMC has <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/kayla-mcbride">Kayla McBride</a> (<a href="http://aces.wnba.com/">Aces</a>), <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/courtney-vandersloot">Courtney Vandersloot</a> (<a href="http://sky.wnba.com/">Sky</a>), <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/brittney-griner">Brittney Griner</a> (<a href="http://mercury.wnba.com/">Mercury</a>), <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/maria-vadeeva">Maria Vadeeva</a> (<a href="http://sparks.wnba.com/">Sparks</a>) and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/emma-meesseman">Emma Meesseman</a> (<a href="http://mystics.wnba.com/">Mystics</a>). Sopron has WNBA players <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/amanda-zahui-b/">Amanda Zahui B.</a> (Liberty), <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/yvonne-turner/">Yvonne Turner</a> (Mercury) and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/candice-dupree/">Candice Dupree</a> (<a href="http://fever.wnba.com/">Fever</a>).</li>
<li id="ucgkxy">
<strong>Notes: </strong>This is a rematch of the 2017-18 EuroLeague Women championship game, which culminated in a UMMC title and Emma Meesseman winning the <a href="https://www.swishappeal.com/2018/4/23/17269772/emma-meesseman-euroleague-women-final-four-mvp-highlights">Final Four MVP award</a>. Meesseman is averaging 11.3 points and 6 rebounds per game in EuroLeague Women play. This may sound low at first glance, but with a roster as deep as UMMC’s, she doesn’t have to play as much as Stewart will for Kursk — at least, until do-or-die games like the Final Four. Expect the Mystics star to put up big numbers again and lead UMMC to the championship game where they would likely play against Dynamo Kursk.</li>
</ul>
<p id="oxkxN5"></p>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2019/4/12/18304615/fiba-euroleague-women-final-four-preview-usk-praha-dynamo-kursk-ummc-sopron-breanna-stewartAlbert Lee2019-04-11T06:00:00-04:002019-04-11T06:00:00-04:00Brionna Jones and Erica Wheeler lead Nadezhda to EuroCup Women title in 75-57 blowout over BLMA
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AZ7fwyfvFvim_xTUQOZvWWAXy8Y=/176x102:823x533/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63391256/Nadezhda.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Nadezhda is the winner of the 2018-19 EuroCup Women Finals after a big win over BLMA. | Photo courtesy of Spain National Basketball Team via Twitter</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The WNBA duo combined for 42 points in their final game of continental play this season.</p> <p id="EkYtl2">Russian team Nadezhda started its continental season in EuroLeague Women but couldn’t make the knockout stages. They turned that disappointment into redemption by winning the EuroCup Women Finals against BLMA on Wednesday. </p>
<p id="rq1UaV">In Game 2, they secured a <a href="http://www.fiba.basketball/eurocupwomen/18-19/news/heartbreak-for-hosts-as-nadezhda-celebrate-first-eurocup-women-silverware">75-57 blowout</a> on the road, in Montpellier, France. The <a href="http://www.fiba.basketball/eurocupwomen/18-19/game/1004/BLMA-Nadezhda#tab=team_comparison">aggregate score</a> was 146-132.</p>
<p id="rv7JnW">This is Nadezhda’s first EuroCup Women title.</p>
<p id="cpkXYJ">Nadezhda came into this game coming off a <a href="https://www.swishappeal.com/2019/4/4/18293883/fiba-eurocup-women-finals-recap-blma-nadezhda-sami-whitcomb-brionna-jones">75-71 loss at home</a> last week. Early on in the first half, the score looked rather close until the tram made a late run heading into halftime, for a 35-27 lead. But in the second half, Nadezhda’s lead expanded to double digits and the players didn’t let their feet off the gas. Nadezhda put on a defensive clinic on BLMA, holding them to 33 percent shooting overall and out-rebounding them, 52-33.</p>
<p id="F1g28f"><a href="http://sun.wnba.com">Sun</a> forward <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/brionna-jones/">Brionna Jones</a> and <a href="http://fever.wnba.com">Fever</a> guard <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/erica-wheeler/">Erica Wheeler</a> led Nadezhda to victory by scoring 21 points each. Jones also grabbed 12 rebounds for a double-double, while Wheeler grabbed 8 boards of her own. The pair shined in their last game of continental play, showing a great deal of chemistry with plays like this one, on the fast break:</p>
<div id="LeCmVH">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Perfect combo ! <a href="https://twitter.com/EWeezy_For3eezy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EWeezy_For3eezy</a> & sweet dime to <a href="https://twitter.com/_bjones18?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_bjones18</a> . <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroCupWomen?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroCupWomen</a><a href="https://twitter.com/PBC_Nadezhda?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PBC_Nadezhda</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/IndianaFever?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndianaFever</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ConnecticutSun?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ConnecticutSun</a> <br><br> <a href="https://t.co/Kk1sRiJNYs">https://t.co/Kk1sRiJNYs</a> <a href="https://t.co/GWhujDoQXL">pic.twitter.com/GWhujDoQXL</a></p>— EuroCup Women (@EuroCupWomen) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCupWomen/status/1116074282331697152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="ED0KLf">Or this play by Wheeler:</p>
<div id="GGQkpZ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/EWeezy_For3eezy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EWeezy_For3eezy</a> always find a solution ! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroCupWomen?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroCupWomen</a><a href="https://twitter.com/PBC_Nadezhda?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PBC_Nadezhda</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/IndianaFever?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndianaFever</a> <br><br> <a href="https://t.co/Kk1sRiJNYs">https://t.co/Kk1sRiJNYs</a> <a href="https://t.co/tAljV3PwvF">pic.twitter.com/tAljV3PwvF</a></p>— EuroCup Women (@EuroCupWomen) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCupWomen/status/1116058818654244864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="POxgZA">For BLMA, <a href="http://storm.wnba.com">Storm</a> guard <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/sami-whitcomb">Sami Whitcomb</a> scored 7 points on 2-of-11 shooting. Despite her off night as a shooter, she still contributed in other areas: grabbing 9 rebounds and dishing 3 assists. </p>
<p id="KOmPYR">Jones, Wheeler and Whitcomb all played major roles in European play this season and helped lead their teams to the Finals in one of the continent’s most prestigious titles. Hopefully, these performances can help them start strong in the 2019 WNBA season in just a few weeks.</p>
<p id="IyA302"></p>
<p id="0kiIAz"></p>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2019/4/11/18305578/fiba-eurocup-women-finals-recap-nadezhda-blma-brionna-jones-erica-wheeler-sami-whitcombAlbert Lee2019-04-10T08:00:00-04:002019-04-10T08:00:00-04:00Preview: BLMA and Nadezhda face off in last game of the EuroCup Women Finals
<figure>
<img alt="Connecticut Sun v Phoenix Mercury" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mDqnB9W8HSQch6_y-jGfdBypA3c=/1884x48:3443x1087/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63384608/995830272.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brionna Jones and Nadezhda look to win against BLMA in the EuroCup Women Finals which conclude on April 10. | Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Brionna Jones and Sami Whitcomb are among the WNBA players who will face off in one of Europe’s most prestigious competitions.</p> <p id="oIXYGN">After a long basketball season, it all comes down to one game. Nadezhda and BLMA will face off in the second game of the 2018-19 EuroCup Women Finals. It’s a winner-take-all affair featuring several WNBA players who will look to lead their European teams to a major title and have larger roles on their American teams this summer in the WNBA.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="Is9f21">
<h2 id="wKPngu"><strong>Nadezhda (Russia) vs. BLMA (France)</strong></h2>
<p id="Vg0Mv8"><strong>When: </strong>Game 2 — Wednesday, April 10, at 2:45 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="5IJf07"><strong>Notable WNBA players: </strong>Nadezhda has <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/brionna-jones">Brionna Jones</a> (<a href="http://sun.wnba.com/">Sun</a>) and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/erica-wheeler/">Erica Wheeler</a> (<a href="http://fever.wnba.com/">Fever</a>). BLMA has <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/sami-whitcomb/">Sami Whitcomb</a> (<a href="http://storm.wnba.com/">Storm</a>) and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/endy-miyem/">Endy Miyem</a> (<a href="http://lynx.wnba.com/">Lynx</a>). </p>
<p id="jfeSLZ"><strong>How to watch: </strong>The game can be streamed for free on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/fiba">FIBA’s YouTube channel</a>.</p>
<h2 id="GbNJg3"><strong>What to watch </strong></h2>
<p id="zy9NAa">In Game 1, <a href="https://www.swishappeal.com/2019/4/4/18293883/fiba-eurocup-women-finals-recap-blma-nadezhda-sami-whitcomb-brionna-jones">BLMA won 75-71</a> when Whitcomb made a buzzer-beating three to give her team a four-point lead heading into Game 2, where the French team will have a chance to win its first EuroCup Women title.</p>
<p id="Jh6Ykk">Though Nadezhda lost, they have a significant advantage on defense and low post scoring. Jones scored <a href="http://www.fiba.basketball/eurocupwomen/18-19/game/0304/Nadezhda-BLMA">19 points and grabbed 8 rebounds</a> in the loss. The Russian team also started the European basketball season in EuroLeague Women which often means that they have an advantage against teams that were only in EuroCup Women for the season. </p>
<p id="czoaLv">Though Whitcomb and Jones do not play large roles on their WNBA teams, their performances in the European season certainly make a strong case that they are ready to make a bigger impact this summer.</p>
<aside id="jklukQ"><div data-anthem-component="actionbox" data-anthem-component-data='{"title":"<strong>EuroCup Women Field Guide</strong> ","description":"Not sure how all of this EuroCup Women stuff works? Or which WNBA players are involved?","label":"CLICK ME","url":"https://www.swishappeal.com/2019/2/13/18224027/fiba-eurocup-euroleague-2019-central"}'></div></aside>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2019/4/10/18302071/fiba-eurocup-women-finals-preview-blma-nadezhda-brionna-jones-sami-whitcombAlbert Lee2019-04-04T08:00:00-04:002019-04-04T08:00:00-04:00Sami Whitcomb makes buzzer-beater to give BLMA Game 1 win in EuroCup Women Finals
<figure>
<img alt="WNBA: Finals-Washington Mystics at Seattle Storm" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vH3h624rK20ZHj9En4ptNbYYw4M=/0x0:2920x1947/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63348430/usa_today_11202800.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sami Whitcomb drained a last-second three-point shot to give BLMA a key 75-71 lead after Game 1 of the EuroCup Women Finals. | Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It was a close game, but BLMA has a four-point edge heading into Game 2 thanks to Sami Whitcomb’s buzzer-beater. </p> <p id="PvpKAp">Game 1 of the EuroCup Women Finals is now in the books, with French team BLMA getting a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqZL0KJqCi0">close 75-71 win</a> over Nadezhda on the road Wednesday in Orenburg, Russia. It was always a relatively close game, but BLMA <a href="http://www.fiba.basketball/eurocupwomen/18-19/game/0304/Nadezhda-BLMA#tab=team_comparison">led for 37 minutes</a> and by as many as 11 points at one point in the second quarter.</p>
<p id="MMyUqc">However, the second half was much closer for both sides. Nadezhda was able to tie the game several times, but could never get a bucket to take the lead.</p>
<p id="GhHf50">For BLMA, center Helena Ciak led all scorers with 18 points on 9-of-11 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds. <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/ana-dabovic">Ana Dabovic</a> added 13 points and 5 assists while <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/sami-whitcomb">Sami Whitcomb</a> scored 10 points.</p>
<p id="kasK89"><a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/brionna-jones/">Brionna Jones</a> led Nadezhda with 19 points and 8 rebounds and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/erica-wheeler">Erica Wheeler</a> added 13 points and 7 assists.</p>
<h2 id="WsvWVI"><strong>This series can still go either way</strong></h2>
<p id="42aG0Z">BLMA came into this game as a team known for hot shooting. They shot well from the 3-point line (8-of-21 overall), but committed 13 turnovers that turned into 12 Nadezhda points. Besides Ciak, BLMA only scored 20 points in the paint. Nadezhda scored 40.</p>
<p id="cM1tys">Nadezhda is known for strong team defense and kept BLMA from making too many threes. But they also allowed the French side to shoot 55.6 percent from inside the arc.</p>
<p id="I5VDli">In Game 2, Nadezhda will have to win by five points or more to win the EuroCup Women title. They certainly have the tools and offensive efficiency to do just that.</p>
<h2 id="0cCJpm"><strong>Sami Whitcomb scored a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to give BLMA breathing room</strong></h2>
<div id="7vOUwp">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">That’s how you call GAME <a href="https://twitter.com/SamBam32?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SamBam32</a> !! <a href="https://twitter.com/BasketLMA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BasketLMA</a> will return home with a 4⃣-point advantage! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroCupWomen?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroCupWomen</a><a href="https://twitter.com/BasketballAus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BasketballAus</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/seattlestorm?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@seattlestorm</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/basketlfb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@basketlfb</a><br><br> <a href="https://t.co/Kk1sRiJNYs">https://t.co/Kk1sRiJNYs</a> <a href="https://t.co/D4DETsL70D">pic.twitter.com/D4DETsL70D</a></p>— EuroCup Women (@EuroCupWomen) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCupWomen/status/1113469591148044288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="yQ7VMI">In a traditional 40-minute game, a winning team scoring a 3-pointer at the buzzer is often unsportsmanlike. But with EuroCup Women’s home-and-home playoff series format, the total score of both games determines the winner. BLMA was winning on the road and could use any cushion to help make things a little easier at home. Whitcomb’s 3-pointer delivered that cushion her team needed.</p>
<p id="Phh8G5">Whitcomb continued to be streaky in this leg, shooting 2-of-7 from the field. But her last basket was certainly her biggest.</p>
<h2 id="dko0W5"><strong>Brionna Jones and Erica Wheeler continue to be Nadezhda’s consistent low post force</strong></h2>
<p id="kyBkqd">The WNBA duo of Jones and Wheeler are thriving in the Finals, as they combined for 32 points and 14 rebounds. Wheeler showed her potential as an up-and-coming point guard as she dished seven assists, had four steals and committed only one turnover while making plays like this:</p>
<div id="fpC0bb">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Déjà vu. <a href="https://twitter.com/EWeezy_For3eezy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EWeezy_For3eezy</a> ➡ <a href="https://twitter.com/_bjones18?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_bjones18</a> ! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroCupWomen?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroCupWomen</a><a href="https://twitter.com/PBC_Nadezhda?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PBC_Nadezhda</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WNBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WNBA</a> <br><br> <a href="https://t.co/Kk1sRiJNYs">https://t.co/Kk1sRiJNYs</a> <a href="https://t.co/kv7HhJkgbg">pic.twitter.com/kv7HhJkgbg</a></p>— EuroCup Women (@EuroCupWomen) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCupWomen/status/1113459337073008640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="tEAODK">Jones’ EuroCup Women performance this winter has been excellent and could give her a more prominent role with the <a href="http://sun.wnba.com">Connecticut Sun</a> this summer in a crowded post rotation. In two WNBA seasons, Jones has averaged less than 10 minutes a game while playing behind other frontcourt players like <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/jonquel-jones">Jonquel Jones</a>, <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/alyssa-thomas">Alyssa Thomas</a> and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/chiney-ogwumike">Chiney Ogwumike</a>. After this European season, expect her to get a shot for more consistent playing time.</p>
<h2 id="MiYouA"><strong>Next game</strong></h2>
<p id="ZCW4cv">Game 2 will be on Wednesday, April 10. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. ET.</p>
<aside id="IEzMaD"><div data-anthem-component="actionbox" data-anthem-component-data='{"title":"EuroCup Women Field Guide","description":"Not sure how all of this EuroCup Women stuff works? Or which WNBA players are involved? ","label":"CLICK ME","url":"https://www.swishappeal.com/2019/2/13/18220246/fiba-eurocup-women-round-of-8-preview-samantha-whitcomb-moriah-jefferson-kelsey-bone-jordin-canada"}'></div></aside>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2019/4/4/18293883/fiba-eurocup-women-finals-recap-blma-nadezhda-sami-whitcomb-brionna-jonesAlbert Lee2019-04-02T23:00:00-04:002019-04-02T23:00:00-04:00Preview: Nadezhda, BLMA face off in first leg of EuroCup Women Finals with WNBA players key to the series
<figure>
<img alt="WNBA Finals - Game One" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0eNq__b3pSAqfdM4DN82iH0xQfk=/0x0:2821x1881/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63341497/1028896270.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sami Whitcomb and BLMA will look to win their first EuroCup Women title as they face Russian side Nadezhda. | Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Brionna Jones, Sami Whitcomb and Gabby Williams will play big roles in the EuroCup Women Finals starting Wednesday, with an early tip (Eastern Time).</p> <p id="oIXYGN">The first game of the 2018-19 EuroCup Women Finals tips off Wednesday, April 3, at 10 a.m. ET. </p>
<p id="KXz9uu">After a long season of juggling domestic and continental league commitments, Russian team Nadezdha and French team BLMA have a chance to win a continental title, with noteworthy WNBA players leading their teams’ quests. </p>
<p id="B1HHvz">Here is what’s in store for Game 1:</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="5FP28W">
<h2 id="0L3uAn"><strong>Nadezhda (Russia) vs. BLMA (France)</strong></h2>
<p id="Vg0Mv8"><strong>When:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="wG9Tzz">Game 1 — Wednesday, April 3, at 10 a.m. ET </li>
<li id="2wjoVf">Game 2 — Wednesday, April 10, at 2 p.m. ET</li>
</ul>
<p id="5IJf07"><strong>Notable WNBA players: </strong>Nadezhda has <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/brionna-jones">Brionna Jones</a> (<a href="http://sun.wnba.com/">Sun</a>) and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/erica-wheeler/">Erica Wheeler</a> (<a href="http://fever.wnba.com/">Fever</a>). BLMA has <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/sami-whitcomb/">Sami Whitcomb</a> (<a href="http://storm.wnba.com/">Storm</a>) and <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/endy-miyem/">Endy Miyem</a> (<a href="http://lynx.wnba.com/">Lynx</a>). </p>
<p id="jfeSLZ"><strong>How to Watch: </strong>All games can be streamed for free on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/fiba">FIBA’s YouTube channel</a>.</p>
<h2 id="GbNJg3"><strong>What to watch </strong></h2>
<p id="zy9NAa">This year’s Finals matchup is between two teams looking for their first EuroCup Women championship. It is also a battle between BLMA’s high-powered three-point shooting against <a href="http://www.fiba.basketball/eurocupwomen/18-19/news/five-key-factors-for-the-first-leg-of-the-eurocup-women-2019-final">Nadezhda’s perimeter defense</a>. This year’s Finals also provides WNBA fans an opportunity to see younger players shine in major roles before the 2019 WNBA season begins in May. </p>
<p id="E3cLcC">For example, Brionna Jones is averaging <a href="http://www.fiba.basketball/eurocupwomen/18-19/player/Brionna-Jones">16.5 points and 11.3 rebounds</a> and Erica Wheeler is averaging<a href="http://www.fiba.basketball/eurocupwomen/18-19/player/Erica-Wheeler"> 14 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists </a>in EuroCup Women play for Nadezhda. Expect both players to continue these performances for the rest of their time overseas. It will also help them once they are back in the States.</p>
<p id="pdnfUa">For BLMA, Sami Whitcomb has continued to put up big numbers. She is averaging <a href="http://www.fiba.basketball/eurocupwomen/18-19/player/Samantha-Allison-Whitcomb">18.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game</a> in EuroCup Women play. However, she has been streaky since the quarterfinals against tougher competition. If Whitcomb can put together two strong games in the Finals, the EuroCup Women championship bid could be a good case for Whitcomb to have more consistent playing time for the Seattle, come May. Though she played 31 regular-season games in the 2018 WNBA season, Whitcomb averaged just <a href="https://www.wnba.com/player/sami-whitcomb/#/career">8.6 minutes per game</a>. </p>
<aside id="jklukQ"><div data-anthem-component="actionbox" data-anthem-component-data='{"title":"<strong>EuroCup Women Field Guide</strong> ","description":"Not sure how all of this EuroCup Women stuff works? Or which WNBA players are involved?","label":"CLICK ME","url":"https://www.swishappeal.com/2019/2/13/18224027/fiba-eurocup-euroleague-2019-central"}'></div></aside>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2019/4/2/18292636/fiba-eurocup-women-finals-preview-nadezhda-blma-brionna-jones-sami-whitcomb-gabby-williamsAlbert Lee