EuroLeague Women Semi-Finals preview: Dynamo Kursk v ZVVZ USK Prague
EKATERINBURG (EuroLeague Women) - We look forward to the second Semi-Finals match-up at EuroLeague Women Final Four as the only unbeaten team in Dynamo Kursk continue their search for a first-ever title against 2015 winners, ZVVZ USK Prague.
Both teams know each other very well after meeting twice during the Regular Season, with Dynamo Kursk being tipped by many observers of the women's game to not only beat Prague, but also land the coveted silverware.
There will be a big Spanish connection in this game, with Kursk head coach Lucas Mondelo and their playmaker Anna Cruz pitting their wits against their compatriots in Prague backcourt duo of Laia Palau and Marta Xargay.
Prague won't be too concerned about being underdogs since they revelled in this status two years ago, when they captured their maiden EuroLeague Women title.
With five titles to her name, head coach Natalia Hejkova offers Prague unrivalled experience and the match-up on the sidelines between her and Coach Mondelo will be just as fascinating in what looks to be a great game on paper.
Records So Far: Dynamo Kursk navigated the Regular Season without losing a single game in an unblemished 14-0 run. That included a pair of wins against Prague, beating them 69-66 at home and then 73-49 in the Czech capital. While they beat Tango Bourges Basket in the Quarter-Finals, it was two tough games and they labored to victory to reach The Final Four for the second time in their history. ZVVZ USK Prague have had a roller-coaster campaign, losing their last three games of the Regular Season to quickly go from an eye-catching 9-2 to 9-5. The alarm bells were then ringing when they lost against Nadezhda in the Quarter-Finals, but recovered impressively to secure back-to-back victories and book a place at their third Final Four in a row.
Key Match-Up: If they end up going up against each other on the wing, there can barely be a more intriguing and high class match-up than the driving forces of both clubs in Angel McCoughtry and Sonja Petrovic.
Both are very different types of players and yet so exciting to watch, while also indescribably important to their respective teams. Whoever comes out on top in this small forward duel might just tip the balance in the contest. Notably, Petrovic had her biggest score of the entire season against Dynamo Kursk when she amassed 28 points on Russian soil. Another vital match-up will be in the power forward spot as the in-form Candice Dupree faces fellow American, Nnemkadi Ogwumike.
Three Points:
- ZVVZ USK Prague shooter Katerina Elhotova is scheduled to make her first appearance of the season after recently returning from maternity leave.
- Dynamo Kursk have no former EuroLeague Women winners on their roster.
- Sonja Petrovic is currently leading Prague in scoring, rebounding and steals.
What They Say:
"Playing at The Final Four is the best reward this team can have this season. With only four teams [making it], it is the tournament that every player wants to be at and to play in. It will be a very tough game, but we are going to be in Ekaterinburg to compete.” ZVVZ USK Prague and Spanish national team guard, Marta Xargay.
"I think it will be a nice match because we have a situation where there are two teams coming together who both like to play a team-orientated style of basketball, " Dynamo Kursk head coach, Lucas Mondelo.
You can watch The Final Four live on www.livebasketball.tv
FIBA
