Amaya Valdemoro is set to play in the EuroLeague Women for the first time since December 19 when CSKA Moscow take on Halcon Avenida in the eighth-finals this week.
CSKA have been without the EuroBasket Women MVP but nevertheless managed to win all of their games in Group A to remain undefeated on the season.
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| Fellow Spanish national Anna Montanana and Halcon Avenida await Valdemoro in the next round. |
Winners of the FIBA Women's World League, CSKA have yet to lose a game in any competition so far.
"I'm not surprised that my team is doing so well this season in both the domestic tournament and in the EuroLeague Women," Valdemoro said to FIBA Europe.
"We can't forget that last season we lost just two games in the EuroLeague. We have had a perfect round so far but we must keep it up.
"We have the same group as we had three years ago and those players that have arrived have adapted really well."
Valdemoro played for CSKA against Dynamo Moscow in their Russian Superleague Women game on January 31 and scored 15 points.
"I have had a calf injury but I have recovered," she said. "I've been training with the team and I could have played in the last group game of the EuroLeague Women."
That was an 82-61 victory over MKB Euroleasing on January 22.
CSKA did well without Valdemoro, but she has always been a big player for the big occasion, whether it was for club or country.
Last year, she was the best player on the floor in CSKA's defeat to Spartak Moscow Region at the
| “ | For people to acknowledge the work you do during the year is fantastic and my wish is to continue to play well. | „ |
On her nomination
for Women's Player of the Year |
EuroLeague Women Final four, and at the EuroBasket Women she was phenomenal in leading Spain to a silver medal.
CSKA are loaded and with Valdemoro back, a player who was recently voted to start in the EuroLeague Women All-Star Game, they could be the team to beat in all competitions.
"The fact is this group can win the three competitions, we have the quality," Valdemoro said.
"This year the EuroLeague Women is a very difficult competition, extremely competitive.
"We've seen teams do really well, like Ros Casares, Ekaterinburg and Spartak. They will be our main opponents to win the title.
"My aim this year is to win the EuroLeague. It's a competition that has avoided us in recent campaigns and I really would like to win it. That is my top priority. I hope I can help the team achieve that."
She will not be taking Salamanca outfit Avenida lightly, though. Avenida have been able to reach the eighth-finals without 2007 EuroLeague All-Star Nicole Powell, who joined Valdemoro at CSKA in the summer.
"I know Perfumerias Avenida quite well considering that national team-mates Isa Sanchez and Anna Montanana play there," Valdemoro said.
"It's a team that is second in the Liga Femenina, which fights for every possession and never gives up.
"It's going to be a tough test against them, especially when we travel to Salamanca, because they have one of the best groups off fans in Europe. It will not be easy."
Valdemoro is one of the leading contenders for the player of the year award with FIBA Europe.
"To be among the candidates as the best women's player of the year is an honor," she said.
"Just to be there on the list makes me very happy.
"For people to acknowledge the work you do during the year is fantastic and my wish is to continue to play well."
