Women’s Korisliiga – Playoff PREVIEW

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Below is a little look at the series ahead, and how they unfolded in the regular season. The series are ‘Best of 5’ – so three wins is enough to see you through to the semi’s

If regular season is anything to go by, we will have a very quick end to the first round of playoffs, luckily that doesn’t always tell everything.

#1 Peli-Karhut vs #8 Tapiolan Honka

(regular season wins 3-0)

You would think 3-0 to PeKa?? And it very well can be, Honka need to really get the most out of their team in these games.

But, PeKa is once again vulnerable when the playoffs start, missing Vehka-Aho at the backcourt is something they can not hide from. Four import rotation is also interesting.

Will coach Mäkelä show faith in the bench and let some of the young players shine, or is this purely a case of experience grinds Championships. Toomingas – Arike duo will need to take load off the imports on the scoring for this series to be an easy one for PeKa.

Honka, if you can go to a playoff series without any pressure, this is the situation #8 playing #1 seed.

Players to watch : Lauren Heard – PeKa, second season in Finland and Heard is showing why she is such a sought after player. If she wants, bigger and better leagues come calling next season for her.

Young and rising player, Ida Riihijärvi from Tapiolan Honka – player who has taken leaps and bounds forward this season and whose game is a joy to watch. Keep an eye on #52 in the green and white!

Nordic Hoops prediction: PeKa 3-1 Honka

SCHEDULE :

• 18.03 PeKa vs Honka
• 21.03 Honka vs PeKa
• 23.03 PeKa vs Honka
• 28.03 Honka vs PeKa (if needed)
• 31.03 PeKa vs Honka (if needed)

#2 Pyrintö vs #7 ToPo

(regular season wins 3-0)

Is there an upset brewing in the first round of playoffs?? If so, this might be the series where it comes from.

ToPo have strengthened their roster in the closing minutes of the season and some media have even raised them as ‘title favourites’.

Teams have not met since ToPo added Tyson-Thomas and Agyei to their roster

Rosters are quite evenly matched – this one is tough to call.. but I am going for an upset over here, but the series can go 3-1 to Pyrintö just as easily.

Players to watch : An easy one would be Stephanie McBride of Pyrintö, but I’ll go for the duo of Saana Kujala and Annika Aarrejoki, players who can do so much on the court. Aarrejoki has had another stellar season and I expect Kujala to raise her game in the playoffs.

For ToPo, I will go with Sarah Gates – captain of the team and like Heard for PeKa.. Gates has returned to Finland for second season. Expect her to lead on the bench and on the court and keep her teams focus on the goal of causing an upset.

Nordic Hoops prediction : Pyrintö 1-3 ToPo

SCHEDULE :

• 18.03 Pyrintö vs ToPo
• 21.03 ToPo vs Pyrintö
• 24.03 Pyrintö vs ToPo
• 28.03 ToPo vs Pyrintö (if needed)
• 30.03 Pyrintö vs ToPo (if needed)

#3 ViVe vs #6 BC Nokia

(regular season wins 3-0)

Sara Puckett vs Laila Lawrence??

Definitely a match up that is one key factor in this series.

ViVe head to playoffs with a ‘rookie’ set of imports, who have been dominant ALL season long. BC Nokia have Cierra Walker who has been there before, as well as few experienced Finns to draw on as well.

Bench is the key – which team can get out more from their bench. Looking at just the names on the back of the jerseys, players like Viita and Kert need to have their best games of the season in the coming week.

BC Nokia have one of the brightest young players of the season, Eevi Seppä in their roster, and she could be kind of an X-Factor in the series.

Players to watch : OK – I already gave this away in the beginning.. so Sara Puckett and Laila Lawrence. Enough said…

Nordic Hoops prediction : ViVe 3 – 1 BC Nokia

SCHEDULE :

• 18.03 ViVe vs BC Nokia
• 21.03 BC Nokia vs ViVe
• 24.03 ViVe vs BC Nokia
• 27.03 BC Nokia vs ViVe (if needed)
• 30.03 ViVe vs BC Nokia (if needed)

#4 EBT vs #5 HBA

(regular season wins 2-1)

The youth tie – two teams with youth, pace, hustle …

If anything, this is a series you need to keep an eye on if you want to see and know what the future of Finnish women’s basketball looks like.

PLAYERS TO WATCH : Gardziella, Melnikova, Pasanen, Ogun, Loukola, Mace, Talonen, Inhala, Nenonen ….

DO NOT MISS THIS SERIES!!!!!

Nordic Hoops prediction : EBT 3-2 HBA

SCHEDULE :

• 18.03 EBT – HBA
• 20.03 HBA – EBT
• 24.03 EBT – HBA
• 27.03 HBA – EBT
• 30.03 EBT – HBA