Kristi Harrower is ready for the challenge of her life when she moves to UMMC Ekaterinburg this summer - but she has a score to settle in France before embarking on the latest chapter of her career.

The Australia international's last European move will see her follow Laurent Buffard, her current coach at USVO Valenciennes, to the Russian giants for the next two seasons.

Before that, she is hoping to sign off in style by helping USVO to the domestic double in France in the final month of the campaign - and things have started off well.

		Harrower was named MVP of the Coupe de France this past weekend.

On Sunday, she picked up the MVP award as the northerners thrashed holders Bourges Basket 72-51 in the final of the Coupe de France in Bercy.

It does not stop there, though.

USVO begin their quest to wrest the French championship title off their arch-rivals as well when the Ligue Feminine play-off finals commence on Wednesday.

Harrower would like nothing more than to end her stint at USVO having returned the team to the top of the pile in France.

"UMMC will be a great challenge, but I'm looking forward to it," she told PA Sport after her heroics at the Palis Omnisports arena.

"It's a new experience. I've been in France five years and I felt I needed a change. It was too good an opportunity to turn down.

"So the challenge awaits me but first of all, I want to finish things off here."

		Coach Laurent Buffard will be joining Harrower at UMMC.

Bourges have been the dominant force in France over the past couple of years, claiming the treble last year before winning the Tournoi de la Federation earlier this season.

USVO put the record straight at the weekend with a masterful performance, Harrower (11 points, 10 rebounds) and Sandrine Gruda (14 points) once again at the heart of things.

"It's a good victory for us because last year, we didn't win anything," Harrower added.

"We should have won the Tournoi de la Federation but we lost in overtime after having our opportunities.

"This is therefore a confidence booster for us, especially winning by 20 odd points. This is a great thing to have won but the championship is another level. Weeks like this are what you play for all season.

"We needed it mentally, just so we can believe we can beat Bourges. They have some players missing, but that's sport - people get injured.

"It would have been even more disappointing if we had lost while they were injured."

Harrower was referring to the absence of Bourges playmaker and team leader Celine Dumerc.

Without the injured France star in their ranks, the Berruyeres lacked direction and control, a factor that was not lost on Harrower.

"The good thing was we forced them into 20 turnovers and made them feel uncomfortable without Dumerc out there.

"That was important for us, because she brings so much leadership and they don't have that now.

"They don't have the control and patience without her, understandably so.

"She's tough, she's 10 years younger than me! I like the challenge, though.

"She's always in your pocket, and you get tired very quickly. She's had a great season, and is a big part of their team."

Harrower was delighted to have ended the long wait for a trophy at USVO, adding: "When I played at Aix-en-Provence, you always looked at Valenciennes as a team you admired, and would love to go and play for.

"They are so professional, they win championships. So last year was a killer, a heartbreaker. To work so hard and win nothing.

"This win, and hopefully winning the championship, is important so I can walk away with something.

"It would have been disappointing going to a great club like this and winning nothing. It's nice to get something in the cabinet."

A spell in Russia now beckons for the woman who has been so inspirational for Australia in recent years.

She will link up with compatriots Penny Taylor and Suzy Batkovic, and will continue her burgeoning partnership with Buffard.

"It's important that Laurent is going too," she added.

"I had got into a slump a few years back and I wasn't enjoying the game.

"Now I am back enjoying it, and I feel that's a lot down to him. I feel I can play my best under him.

"My game will change next year, because there are so many attacking superstars in UMMC's squad.

"There are also two other Australians there. Playing with people I already know will be great, and also for Australia, leading into the Olympics.

"The country will be hard to live in, but you live with it when you get paid good money.

"I will hope to be the leader, the spark and I think they need that."