2020-21 EuroLeague Women quarterfinal preview: WNBA stars making their mark overseas

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Soon it will be time for another WNBA season, but we still don't even know when the 2021 WNBA Draft will take place, let alone when play will begin. And besides, a number of players are still competing overseas, and have some business to take care of before they return stateside.

This week, the 2020-21 EuroLeague Women quarterfinals will take place, with four games apiece being played on March 17 and March 19. Due to COVID-19 protocols, two hub cities have been chosen to cut down on travel and mitigate risk. Four teams will head to Salamanca, Spain, while the other four will make their way to Sopron, Hungary.

Ahead of the big games, here's a look at everything you need to know, including which WNBA stars will be in action.

What is EuroLeague Women?

We won't go through the whole spiel again, but if you're unfamiliar with the competition you can go back and read our pre-season primer. Essentially, it's the women's basketball equivalent of the UEFA Champions League in soccer. The top teams from all the domestic leagues around Europe come together each season to play in a continental competition that's designed to determine the European champion.

By now, we've reached the quarterfinals, which is played over two legs. Usually, it would be a home-and-home format, but due to COVID-19, the games are being played in two hub cities: Salamanca, Spain and Sopron, Hungary. Still, the matchups will be decided by an aggregate scoring system. The winners will advance to the final four, which will be held in April.

How to watch

Quarterfinal Day 1 -- Wednesday, March 17

UMMC Ekaterinburg 80, Dynamo Kursk 67
Fenerbahce 91, Galatasaray 74
Sopron Basket 94, Lyon 66
Perfumerias Avenida 74, Spar Girona 66

Quarterfinal Day 2 -- Friday, March 19

Galatasaray vs. Fenerbahce, 11 a.m. ET -- Salamanca, Spain
Dynamo Kursk vs. UMMC Ekaterinburg, 12 p.m. ET -- Sopron, Hungary
Spar Girona vs. Perfumerias Avenida, 2 p.m. ET -- Salamanca, Spain
Lyon vs. Sopron Basket, 3:05 p.m. ET -- Sopron, Hungary

Every single game is streamed live on FIBA's YouTube channel and is also available for replay once it's over.

Team Capsules

Dynamo Kursk

Country: Russia
EuroLeague titles: 1 (2017)
Final Four appearances: 4
WNBA players: Stephanie Mavunga (Chicago Sky), Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas Wings)

UMMC Ekaterinburg

Country: Russia
EuroLeague titles: 5 (2003, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019)
Final Four appearances: 13
WNBA players: Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury), Jonquel Jones (Connecticut Sun), Emma Meesseman (Washington Mystics), Allie Quigley (Chicago Sky), Breanna Stewart (Seattle Storm), Maria Vadeeva (Los Angeles Sparks), Courtney Vandersloot (Chicago Sky)

Lyon

Country: France
EuroLeague titles: 0
Final Four appearances: 0
WNBA players: Alysha Clark (Seattle Storm), Marine Johannes (New York Liberty)

Sopron Basket

Country: Hungary
EuroLeague titles: 0
Final Four appearances: 3
WNBA players: Briann January (Connecticut Sun), Megan Walker (Phoenix Mercury), Gabby Williams (Chicago Sky)

Galatasaray

Country: Turkey
EuroLeague titles: 1 (2014)
Final Four appearances: 2
WNBA players: Epiphanny Prince (Seattle Storm), Mercedes Russell (Seattle Storm), Sami Whitcomb (New York Liberty)

Fenerbahce

Country: Turkey
EuroLeague titles: 0
Final Four appearances: 5
WNBA players: Kayla McBride (Minnesota Lynx), Satou Sabally (Dallas Wings), Kiah Stokes (New York Liberty), Jasmine Thomas (Connecticut Sun), Kia Vaughn (Phoenix Mercury), Cecilia Zandalasini (Minnesota Lynx)

Perfumerias Avenida

Country: Spain
EuroLeague titles: 1 (2011)
Final Four appearances: 2
WNBA players: Bella Alarie (Dallas Wings), Tiffany Hayes (Atlanta Dream), Katie Lou Samuelson (Seattle Storm)