UMMC Ekaterinburg Maintain Momentum

Ewelina Kobryn had her biggest game to date in the Final Eight

Turning Point: There wasn't one, as UMMC assumed control from the outset and moved into a double-figure lead at 21-11, with only eight minutes of the game having elapsed.

Game Heroes: Ewelina Kobryn posted an excellent contribution of 12 points from five of six floor shooting, whilst Candace Parker missed out on a double-double by a solitary rebound.

Stats Don't Lie: It was another miserable outside shooting night for Galatasaray, who could only manage 21.4% from 14 attempts and they were also trashed on the glass 44-28. UMMC were terrific defensively, holding their opponents to 45 points or less, for the third game in a row.

UMMC Ekaterinburg continue to look a well-oiled machine at the EuroLeague Women Final Eight after warming up for Friday's semi-final against Bourges with a brutal 72-44 demolition of winless Galatasaray.

With their opponents already eliminated and with UMMC having safely secured top spot in Group A, the game may not have meant too much on paper, but the hosts still produced a vibrant and intense performance.

Showcasing their confidence, superior depth and versatility, the Russian club served up a real treat for the sell-out crowd, as 5,000 fans revelled in seeing their favourites purring at both ends of the court.

Once UMMC had taken control of the game during the first quarter, there only looked to be one likely winner and so it proved, as they built on their 27-17 advantage by moving 18 points in front by the time the teams departed the court at the half.

Kobryn and Diana Taurasi were enjoying themselves at that point, both with 10 points apiece and there was to be no respite for Galatasaray when the action resumed.

If anything, UMMC began to toy with their opponents and a 15-4 third quarter meant they were 62-33 up by the end of the penultimate quarter, with only Sancho Lyttle offering notable resistance from a Gala perspective.

All that was left in the final ten minutes was for a party atmosphere to ensue, as UMMC head coach Olaf Lange put his four Russian national team players on the court at the same time, alongside Silvia Dominguez.

An already difficult night was made even worse for Galatasaray, when Ann Wauters suffered a nasty looking fall at the side of the court and had to retreat to the locker room to receive medical attention.