EKATERINBURG (EuroLeague Women) - Spending time in Ekaterinburg is something current Dynamo Kursk play-caller Gundars Vetra is more than familiar with.

The Latvian coach spent three years at the helm of UMMC trying to take them back to EuroLeague Women glory and now he is preparing himself for a historic first meeting in the competition between the two clubs in what will be the final action of the calendar year in the tournament.

Kursk will return to the DIVS Arena just a few days after being beaten in the Russian League by their opponents who ran out worthy 70-56 winners.

"Our bad actions on offense upset our defense and we missed easy baskets in breakout situations," bemoaned Vetra in the wake of their defeat.

"On Thursday it will be a difficult game. It will be a little different and we do not intend to give up without a fight."

Not that Kursk are exactly running scared of their opponents - especially after putting together an excellent four-game winning streak during their debut EuroLeague Women season.

The match-up also brings together two USA national team stars in Candace Parker and Nnemkadi Ogwumike. 

Ogwumike is having an extraordinary season back in Euroleague Women and is in contention to be MVP at the current rate after putting up some phenomenal numbers. Although Parker gained the upper hand in the domestic meeting this week after recording 18 points and 12 rebounds, few would go against Ogwumike responding positively.

As well as Vetra going back to his ex-employers, there are also returns for Latvian legend Anete Jekabsone who has played in Ekaterinburg for the last three years, while veteran Russia national team centre Irina Osipova played there a decade ago, near the start of her distinguished career.

There was also a notable achievement for UMMC star Diana Taurasi in her last outing as she passed the 500 assists landmark in the competition - something only 11 other players have done in EuroLeague Women history. Not bad for a player more renowned as a shooting guard.

UMMC are still unbeaten and favourites to regain their title having lost out to Galatasaray last season, and the current holders are desperate to get off the mark at what will be the sixth attempt. They go to Wisla Can-Pack who are on the slide themselves and looking to avoid a fourth straight loss.

Galatasaray head coach Ekrem Memnun has been trying to find the right formula with nine different starters this season and he needs his all-Spanish backcourt of Nuria Martinez and Queralt Casas - the only ever-presents - to step it up since both are on cold streaks.

Also in Group A, ZVVZ USK Prague entertain Basket Lattes Montpellier Agglomeration, while in Group B Agu Spor will look to avoid a slip-up against winless BK Imos Brno.

There are two particularly attractive looking clashes between Energa Torun and Famila Schio, as well as Nadezhda heading to Fenerbahce who haven't lost at home for some 23 games.

FIBA