Candace Parker (USA)
04/03/2015
League
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Parker leading UMMC Final Four charge

EKATERINBURG (Euroleague Women) - Candace Parker is determined to get UMMC Ekaterinburg back on the EuroLeague Women throne.

The USA forward has been one of the standout players of the competition in the last couple of seasons and is continuing to have a big influence on the Russian powerhouse.

Having missed her nation's triumph at the FIBA World Championship for Women last summer, Parker is continuing to produce the goods for the 2014 Euroleague Women champions who want to regain their crown.

UMMC have already put one foot in this year's Final Four after they made a serious statement in the Play Offs with a ruthless 81-54 success against short-handed Nadezhda, in a defensive display which pleased Parker.

Parker said: "Coming out for the game, we wanted to make sure we play great defense and we did it.

"We were able to disrupt them in the second half and then get up in transition."

Parker finished with a sparkling 17 points and 11 rebounds, while frontcourt partner Sandrine Gruda also fired a classy double-double.

Meanwhile, Dynamo Kursk are also just one step away from the Final Four after opening their three game series with a comfortable 75-62 win against Tango Bourges who were missing the injured Marianna Tolo.

Russia national team guard Evengia Belyakova is the best three-point shooter in the competition and will once against be a force for her country at EuroBasket Women later this year (11-28 June).

For now though, Belyakova is relishing the prospect of sealing a Final Four place, in the club's first-ever season in the competition.

However, she is acutely aware that the second game in France will be a big test of her team's durability.

"We expected an aggressive game from their post players and prepared for a physical and tough game," she said after taking down Bourges in Game 1.

We know one step divides us from the Final Four and we will do everything to win in Bourges. - Belyakova

"We tried to help our big players and like the game showed, they did a great job under the basket.

"We know that the next game will be more physical and tough," she warned.

Elsewhere, there was high tension in Istanbul as Fenerbahce managed to slide to a nerve-wracking 58-56 win against fierce derby rivals Galatasaray odeabank, while there was also drama in Salamanca after ZVVZ USK Prague won 50-48 on the road at CB Avenida.

The second round of Play Off games will take place on Friday.

FIBA