UMMC Ekaterinburg claim SuperCup Women title

VILLENEUVE D’ASCQ (SuperCup Women) – Reigning EuroLeague Women champions UMMC Ekaterinburg have seen off 2016 EuroCup Women runners-up ESBVA-LM 66-63 to claim their second SuperCup Women title.

Despite travelling to their French opponents without some of their biggest stars, including EuroLeague Women 2016 Final Four MVP, Diana Taurasi, the Russian club displayed their superior depth and showed once again that they will be front-runners for more silverware as the season progresses.

Holding an 11-point advantage going into the deciding 10 minutes, UMMC Ekaterinburg saw their lead eaten into considerably, but ultimately ESBVA-LM's comeback would be halted by the final buzzer.

Olympic silver medallist Alba Torrens led the way for UMMC Ekaterinburg, finishing the night with 17 points. Her opponent from that August Olympic final, Brittney Griner, completed the game with a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double, as the visitors opted for an eight-player rotation. That also allowed Slovenian point guard Nika Baric to shine, with the playmaker just one assist short of a double-double of her own.

For ESBVA-LM, Ukrainian international Alina Iagupova matched the scoring efforts of Torrens, also recording 17 points, in her European debut for her new club.

ESBVA-LM will compete alongside UMMC Ekaterinburg in EuroLeague Women this season, albeit on the other side of the draw.

Both EuroLeague Women and EuroCup Women tip-off on 26 October.

FIBA