EuroLeague Women Week 2 Social media spotlight and reaction
MUNICH (EuroLeague Women) - The dust has settled on the second week of EuroLeague Women action and we check out how it went down on social media and catch up with some of those involved.
MUNICH (EuroLeague Women) - The dust has settled on the second week of EuroLeague Women action and we check out how it went down on social media and catch up with some of those involved.
The biggest result came in Salamanca, where Perfumerias Avenida completed a stunning suffocation of the star-laden UMMC Ekaterinburg 56-43. That defensive effort was led by Krisi Givens, who gave an insight into her mentality when facing the legendary Diana Taurasi, who finished with an eye-watering 0-of-11 from the field.
She said: "I watched my favorite player, Alana Beard, defending Taurasi in the WNBA Finals and I thought 'I got it, I can do it too', and that was my motivation.
"I knew we could beat again Ekaterinburg since we did it last year and the first step is believing. We really believe we can beat anyone in Europe and I am sure we can."
Several teams recorded first wins, including Nadezhda, who headed back to Orenburg on a high after edging out Wisla CANPACK 63-58. That was also down to some good defense - even if it was a little unorthodox at times.
Another Polish club in CCC Polkowice were hoping to also bring up their first success, but like Wisla, were left ruing a narrow home defeat as they were squeezed out 73-70 by Sopron Basket.
Head coach George Dikoulakos was frustrated and commented: "We had a better picture of the team because [Temi] Fagbenle gave us more support under the basket and with her size, we looked more logical as a team.
"I can't complain besides one thing. At the end, we didn't know how to win the game. I always say the last two minutes of the game are different to the previous 38 minutes."
In stark contrast, his counterpart was revelling in a hard-fought success and stressing the importance of scouting and preparation.
Cuando te das cuenta que horas y horas de scouting y preparación de partido "parece ser" que no han servido para nada... pic.twitter.com/Uduz2nm4ah
— Roberto Iñiguez (@Robertoih5) October 18, 2017
Elsewhere, Tango Bourges Basket won 78-66 at Castors Braine, as they got their first win on the board.
Première victoire européenne 🔥! Déjà focus sur le prochain match!! #AllezTango https://t.co/OKM9HLjwyk
— Valériane Ayayi (@valeriane_ayayi) October 18, 2017
Wing star Valeriane Ayayi was thrilled, but already had her eyes set on the next game!
One of the games of the week came in Istanbul, as a relieved Marina Maljkovic took her first-ever win with Galatasaray in the tournament. They came from behind to prevail 82-77 against ZVVZ USK Prague.
"Prague are a very tough team, so we are happy with the win," said the play-caller, with Allie Quigley the difference-maker after a red-hot shooting effort.
"Last week's Sopron game hurt us a lot, so it feels good to win in front of our fans. We are still not at the level that we would like to be, but this is due to lack of time for practicing together.
"We need to get better. We are right now very far away from being in the best shape that we can be," added Maljkovic.
Some things never change and that is Sonja Petrovic showing her class. Something which brought yet more smiles.
The summer recruit at Dynamo Kursk inspired her side to another victory, posting a double-double as they outpaced the visiting ESBVA-LM 83-68.
There was also yet more history for Yakin Dogu Universitesi, who took their first-ever road win in the competition, waltzing past BLMA 80-56.
That was a source of huge satisfaction for Swedish national team guard, Elin Eldebrink, especially as the EuroCup Women holders moved to 2-0 for the season.
FIBA