Not many teams would fancy their chances of stealing headlines away from CSKA Volgaburmash in Russia, but Spartak Moscow Region did just that.

And they did it because their EuroLeague Women line-up exudes class.

International stars Tina Thompson, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Tamika Whitmore, Ticha Penicheiro and Agnieszka Bibrzycka make Spartak one of the best teams in the competition.

No wonder they topped Group A with nine wins from 10 games.

		Tina Thompson has played brilliantly in her first season with Spartak Moscow Region.

While Spartak coach Natalia Hejkova, the veteran who is taking part in her seventh Final Four, has numerous options at her disposal when it comes to scoring points, her main concern is on the other side of the court.

"If we concentrate on defense, because they (CSKA) have really great centers, this is our number one question - how to play defense against them," Hejkova said.

The great CSKA centers are Maria Stepanova and Ann Wauters, who have averaged a combined 28.5 points, 15.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in the EuroLeague.

Spartak should be full of confidence going into their semi against CSKA.

Not only are they are hosting the Final Four, they are going into the game on the back of a terrific come-from-behind triumph over defending champions Gambrinus Sika Brno.

Spartak were blown out at home in Game One, 73-58, but won Game Two 81-63 after out-rebounding Gambrinus, 48-33.

Taurasi caught fire from long range, making four of five from the arc and finishing with 20 points.

Thompson was also unstoppable with a game-high 25 points.

In the decider, Spartak again won the battle of the boards 43-25, and

Thompson and Taurasi combined to score 42 points.

Taurasi buried five of her seven attempts (71%) from long range, while Thompson had 14 rebounds to go with her 20 points.

Bibrzycka also made two of her three three-pointers (66.6%) and finished with 10 points.

"It was really something, because we lost the first game really bad and no one expected us to lose a game at home, but on the other hand, no one expected us to win at Brno," Hejkova said.

"But play-offs are like this."

Win or lose, it's been an exciting European campaign for Spartak.