Gambrinus Sika Brno face US Valenciennes in the opening game of the EuroLeague Women's Final Four and coach Jan Bobrovsky is under no illusions about the task that awaits his team.

Gambrinus edged Bourges Basket to reach the competition's Final Four for the sixth time in seven years.

And they must beat yet another French team in USVO, EuroLeague Women champions in 2004, if they are to keep alive their hopes of winning the competition for a first time.

		Gambrinus held off Bourges to advance to the Final Four

"We will play the strongest French team, which has a very strong starting five," said Bobrovsky.

"The team is strong and they showed it again in this year's EuroLeague.

"The only game they lost was in Vilnius (against Lietuvos Telekomas). They were in trouble in Krakow (against Wisla Can-Pack) as well but they won by two points."

Losing to Lietuvos Telekomas was no disgrace because they, too, are in the Final Four.

"Valenciennes showed its qualities mostly in the game against Dynamo Moscow in Russia when they won 80-56," Bobrovsky said.

But Bobrovsky believes his side, who are hosting the event, are fighting fit for Friday's match-up.

"We had quite a  long break before this Final Four when we went through to the semi-final of the Czech competition after two easy wins over Slovanka Chomutov," added Bobrovsky.

"On the other hand, Valenciennes played quality games in their home competition, but our players have had enough time to take a  rest.

"We tried to arrange some friendly games but we played none because Wisla Can-Pack, MBK Ruzomberok and MKB Euroleasing Sopron did not want to play against us.

"All our players are in order except captain Hana Machova, who had small problems with her back, but she will be okay for the first game."