Three Eighth-Final match-ups will come down to a decisive game three.

It’s good to see those hot, high spicy games.

In France, we call these do-or-die situations "la belle" (the beautiful). It will be interesting to see the beauty that comes from these games on Tuesday evening.

Sopron – Ekaterinburg: As we expected it, the competition between the seventh team from the first round against the 10th

		Cheryl Ford and UMMC Ekaterinburg will take on Sopron in a decisive game three.

ranked squad continues. At home, the Hungarian team can make the difference. That’s what they did last year when they pushed out the Russian-based side (2-0). After losing by just two points, MKB and their hot crowd can count on their collective team play. Five players finished with double-figures last time.

Brno – Pecs: Here again, a third rendez-vous was expected, between Gambrinus (eighth from the first round) and Pecs (ninth from the first round). The first two games were cold and hot. Ratgeber’s troops were so cold in the opening game of the series that they lost by 33 points. Some home-cooking heated things up for Pecs as they won 72-56, including a 28-5 spurt in the last 10 minutes … It is anyone's game in the third and final game, but in Brno’s gym and with the defending champ's experience, I give an edge to Gambrinus.

Fenerbahce – Namur: Whereas the previous game three Eighth Finals were predictable, the same cannot be said for Namur and Fenerbahce. Who could have guessed that Namur would lead Fenerbahce (ranked third from the Preliminary Round) to a do or die game? Not me, but I love both teams! Fener always surprises me. They did it one’s more time by losing in Dexia. On the other hand, the Belgian-based squad never surrenders, we wrote back in December. That’s what they did again, coming back from 48-56 after 30 minutes to overpass Fener 66-59. But the most difficult is to come for Marc Silvert’s women. Fenerbahce have only lost three times this season and with game three at their home gym, it will not be easy for Dexia to win.

Other Games

No problem at all for Spartak Moscow against Prague. Samara had some difficulties at home against Valenciennes, victim of a bad luck in the draw. It was less complicated in France.

Valencia proved against Krakow (the only team who beat Moscow) that the city which will host the All Star game wants to serve as an important place in European women's basketball. Vilnius did the job in Salamanca to continue their streak.

With 21 points from Evanthia Maltsi and a dominating defensive performance, Bourges defeated Mondeville to advance to the Quarters.

Quarter Final Match-ups

Moscow – winner Brno v. Pecs

Bourges – Vilnius

Winner Fenerbahce vs Namur – Valencia

Samara – winner Sopron – Ekaterinburg

Up

Vilnius won their last six games.

Down

Valenciennes is not in quarter final. Bad start, bad luck…

23

Difference in points between Pecs and Brno in the last quarter.

Quote

"There will be no game between Bourges and Vilnius. Bourges is too strong on defense. If this team is leading, there's nothing one can do. They're my favourite for the title." - Hervé Coudray, coach of Mondeville