The WNBL finals get under way on Wednesday with Basketball Australia boss Larry Sengstock declaring the competition the strongest he had seen for many years.

Townsville host Sydney in an elimination game with the winner advancing to a minor semi-final showdown at Dandenong on Sunday.

Minor premiers Adelaide host second-placed Bulleen on Saturday.

The competition standard has been boosted by the return from Europe of several Opals determined to book a place in the Olympic squad.

“I’ve been told it’s the strongest because being an Olympic year everyone is back here trying find their spot in the Opals team,” Sengstock said.

“I think it’s been a great year. I’ve watched a lot of games and it’s going to be a great finals series and I’m really looking forward to that.”

While Adelaide and Bulleen filled the top two places, each suffered a convincing final round home loss.

Third placed Dandenong are the form team, having stretched their winning streak to six with a big victory in Adelaide.

“Adelaide you would think they are the favourites, they are minor premiers and they have had a great year and they have really dominated,” Sengstock said.

“But then last weekend both Bulleen and them lost, so that’s a good thing too because now it’s open.

“People are going to look at it and go ‘anyone can win this thing.'”

“Dandenong could sneak home. They had a great game last week.”

Sengstock was in Sydney on Tuesday to launch a community program aimed at having NBL players and coaches visit over 150,000 school age children over the next 12 months.