LJUBLJANA (Interstat) — ZKK Cinkarna Celje will visit Ilirija on Friday in a women’s professional basketball game. Celje enters with a 6-2 season record, while Ilirija is 2-2. The matchup features two teams in the early part of their schedules and a pair of players to watch.

Raneem Elgedawy leads the way for Celje. She had 17 points, seven rebounds and three blocks in the team’s most recent game, a 63-59 win over Campobasso. Elgedawy also had 14 points and 15 rebounds against Nyon and 11 points and 13 rebounds against KP Brno. She added 11 points and seven rebounds against Maribor and seven points and nine rebounds against Domel Skofja Loka. Elgedawy had 28 minutes in the Campobasso game. Iva Slonjsak scored 19 points and added four assists in the win over Campobasso, while Zorana Radonjic had nine points, four rebounds and three assists.

Ilirija’s Laura Medeot is a player to watch. She had 10 points, six rebounds, one assist and one block in a 68-59 win over Maribor. Medeot also had nine points and four rebounds at Domel Skofja Loka and six points, five rebounds and two blocks against Triglav. She played 18 minutes in the Maribor game. Mia Zeks added nine points and four rebounds against Maribor, and Lara Zadravec had eight points and four rebounds.

Celje has scored 91 points against Domel Skofja Loka, 92 against KP Brno and 73 at Jezica this season. Celje’s most recent result was a 63-59 home win over Campobasso. Ilirija has wins over Domel Skofja Loka and Maribor this season, with its most recent result a 68-59 home win over Maribor. Celje also beat Maribor 64-38, topped Domel Skofja Loka 91-50 and defeated Ilirija 72-50 earlier this season. Ilirija lost to Triglav 73-61 and fell at Celje 72-50 before beating Domel Skofja Loka 87-57.

In the teams’ most recent meeting, Celje beat Ilirija 72-50. Celje will look to control the paint with Elgedawy, while Ilirija will rely on Medeot and a balanced scoring effort. The game is part of a busy stretch for both teams. Celje’s schedule includes upcoming games against Maribor, Domel Skofja Loka and KP Brno. Ilirija’s schedule includes upcoming games against Triglav, Domel Skofja Loka and Jezica. Celje’s next 10 games also include a home game against Nyon and a road game against Triglav. Ilirija’s next 10 games also include a home game against Domel Skofja Loka and a road game at Maribor.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of ZKK Cinkarna Celje 70, Ilirija 65.