EKATERINBURG (EuroLeague Women) - Silvia Dominguez is gearing herself for more success with UMMC Ekaterinburg and believes the club is better placed to deliver this season.

A three-time EuroLeague Women winner, Dominguez knows what it takes to win titles - but the Russian giants fell last season at the Final Eight and relinquished their cherished title to Galatasaray odeabank in the Semi-Finals.

They are currently top of Group A and having already secured safe passage to the post-season, they are now looking to improve their 7-1 record when Wisla Can-Pack pitch up at the DIVS Arena.

Last year's Semi-Final exit in the competition was hard to bear, but this time UMMC can actually call upon the services of the main architect of their downfall - in none other than Alba Torrens.

Dominguez believes that will be the difference this time around and paid tribute to her colleague who scooped the second FIBA Europe Women's Player of the Year award of her career.

"Everybody knows Alba as a different kind of player," said the guard who has helped her compatriot settle into life in icy Ekaterinburg.

"She does difficult things seem easy and brings a lot of energy for the team.

"But the best part of her is that she always stays humble, helps her team-mates and does everything with a smile on her face.

"I only have great words for her as a player and also as a friend.

"I think it is a deserved award for Alba after such a tremendous season in Galatasaray and a magnificent performance at the FIBA World Championship for Women.

"She is the perfect definition of a hard working player who will never stop finding improvement."

Dynamo Kursk look like being the nearest challengers to UMMC - although they came out on the wrong side of a classic double-overtime game against Galatasaray in Istanbul last week.

Kursk will be confident of bouncing straight back when they entertain struggling Good Angels Kosice, while Galatasaray go to the Czech capital in an intriguing and pivotal game against ZVVZ USK Prague.

While all the talk this season has been around the struggles of the Turkish side, they head into the game with three wins from their last four games, with the pendulum of pressure having arguably swung towards the hosts who have lost three of their last four outings.

The clash also sees Montenegro national team ace Jelena Dubljevic return to the club where she excelled last season and she will go up against Sonja Petrovic, who was brought in to replace her.

While UMMC are dominant in Group A, it is Fenerbahce who are still riding high in Group B and they are ready to welcome CB Avenida - the only team to have beaten them so far this season.

Tango Bourges can't afford for their travel woes to continue when they also go to Turkey and specifically the city of Kayseri, to match up against Agu Spor Kulubu. The French side have not won on the road yet, although Agu Spor perhaps have an even greater need to triumph because of their current 4-6 record.

Something will have to give when winless BK Imos Brno head to Energa Torun who haven't collected a victory in six games themselves, while one of the best looking games of the week sees Nadezhda face Beretta Famila Schio in Orenburg.

A triumph for the Italian champions would see them move level with their opponents on six wins and five losses, continuing  their recent momentum which has harvested three victories in four games.

FIBA