US Valenciennes forward Sandra Le Drean believes a balance between youth and experience is the main reason behind the team's return to the top of the EuroLeague.

Between 2001 and 2004 the French outfit won the event twice before suffering from a bad spell that saw them crash out in the last 16 last season.

But Laurent Buffard's women are now back to winning ways and Le Drean is delighted with the success.

"I might be the only one left from the 2004 success but the team is made up of a lot of very talented players.

"Girls like Kristi Harrower don't have any experience in the EuroLeague but she has a great international experience with Australia," she told PA Sport.

		Kristi Harrower is averaging 11.1 points per game in her first season with USVO

The side's older unit of Le Drean, Harrower, Vedrana Grgin Fonseca and Slobodanka Tuvic is complemented perfectly by the talented trio of Sandrine Gruda, Jennifer Digbeu and Sylvie Gruzczynski.

"This is the strength of our team. There is a good balance between the experienced players and younger ones who are discovering the competition", added Le Drean.

On March 31 USVO will travel to the Czech Republic to face Gambrinus Brno in the EuroLeague women's semi-final.

USVO breezed through Group C with a 9-1 win record, before beating Italian side Famila Schio 95-60 in the last 16 and Hungarians MKB Euroleasing Sopron in the quarter-finals.

"We don't feel under any particular pressure ahead of that match in Brno. Actually, we are not under pressure at all. After last year's early elimination, being in the final four again was the top priority and we have achieved that."

"We are not travelling to the Czech Republic as just tourists but we remain relaxed about it all.

"We will just give it our best and display our best basketball," said Le Drean.

The 28-year-old is confident her side will be strong enough to overcome the Czechs, but warned that USVO`s defence need to be on top form. She said: "We have not played against them this year but we know them well. There is a certain consistency with the Czechs, who are also the defending Euro champions.

"We are familiar with the way they play and as far as we are concerned we will have to rely on our strengths, especially in defense.  

"Brno are a team made of tall girls with a huge physical potential. We will have to be solid in defence and also find solutions in attack."