Dominique Faurie has covered women's basketball all over Europe and will write regularly for FIBAEurope.com during the EuroLeague season.

 

I had a few things planed for 14th February since its Valentine's Day after all.  But I was wondering what I could do on 13th February and if there would be some game three's to watch.

I was almost resigned that USVO would be headed home after their 26 point loss to Ros Casares in Game One but they managed a big win on Friday to stay alive.

Then there's Brno who slipped by Pecs in Game One but were not so lucky the second time around.

Emilie Gomis helped USVO spring an upset.

"This was one of those games where you exceed all expectations. The players of Brno are taller, quicker and stronger - our win is due to our 5000 fans and our strong desire to win." said Hungarian coach Lazslo Ratgeber of his team.

He forgets his role in the victory. This man is a great coach, a kind of witch doctor. I have seen his team many times and I rarely saw him beaten.  He is proof that a good game plan can win games.

Checking the predictions

I also would like to come back to what some of the EuroLeague stars said to us last week about their expectations for the next round.

Bernadeth Nemeth, from Sopron, told us she expected to upset Bourges. Her dream broke down in the first quarter, as she was injured in a collision with Dumerc, and cut under the eye.

"The doctor told me she could see my bone" remembered Nemeth, who obviously didn't play in Friday's game.

Ekaterinburg's Yelena Leuchanka told us she didn't believe in surprises and I'm sure she still doesn't after her team dispatched the French side by 46 points in Game One and a relatively slim seven points in Game Two.

USVO coach Hervé Coudray said she expected to surprise Valencia. After a huge defeat away (26 points), fans may not have believed him. With an impressive Gomis, and a solid Ohlde, the 2004 Euroleague winner succeed at home.

"Maybe I was the only one who believed in this," said Coudray. "But we did it. We will go now for a second time to Valencia, but not just for the good weather there!"

Thumbs up

Pecs point guard Dalma Ivany will play an important game three in Brno, and can expect to overtake Aubert in the assists ranking. The French player from Ekaterinburg was averaging 7.6 at Mondeville, but has managed only three assists in two games with her new club.

Thumbs down

There are no more polish clubs in EuroLeague. Though they played well coming into the eighth-final they both fell 2-0.

By the numbers

1

Only one team remains undefeated this season in EuroLeague, CSKA Moscow.

2

If Brno (against Pecs) and Valencia (against USVO) take advantage of home court, each group of qualification would have 2 teams in the quarter-final. Those ranked 1 and 2.

8.875

The average point differential for the game two's played Friday. It was 21.375 for game one. Biggest difference on Friday was 20 for Bourges over MKB while for game one it was 46 for Ekaterinburg against Lille.

14

The point total for Lauren Jackson in Vilnius in only 21 minutes. In game one, she had 34 points in 28 minutes.

22

Anete Jekabsone-Zogota, just elected FIBA Europe Women's Player of the Year for 2007, and celebrated by scoring 22 of her 27 points in the last ten minutes and overtime for Dynamo against Gdynia.

Quote of the week

"On Wednesday it will be war."

-Dalma Ivanyi of Pecs ahead of game three in Brno