MUNICH (Germany) - There was joy for Beretta Famila Schio as they marched straight into Final Six and the Semi-Final Play-Ins after they outlasted Tango Bourges Basket in an intense and exciting battle.
Making a decisive late run, they got the victory they needed to claim second spot in Group E as Bourges had to be content with third place after being undone in the closing minutes. ZVVZ USK Praha celebrated winning the battle for third spot in Group F after they squeezed out Casademont Zaragoza in a nervy finish in the Czech capital.
Elsewhere, the still uneaten Fenerbahce Opet were on fire from the jump-ball against Valencia Basket Club and made a statement of intent ahead of their next appearance at Final Six with a huge road win. CIMSA CBK Mersin left it late against Basket Landes but took a victory and head to Final Six with just one loss on their record. Meanwhile Perfumerias Avenida signed off their participation in this year's competition with a spectacular 22-point comeback success at Zabiny Brno.
Key Storylines
- Schio come up with the goods down the stretch to beat Bourges to Semi-Finals Play-Ins; - Praha fend off Zaragoza rescue mission to finish above their Group F rivals; - Fenerbahce finish in style and unbeaten after blowing away Valencia; - Group E winners Mersin flex their muscles in crunch time against Landes; - Avenida exit on a winning note after brilliant comeback win in Brno.
Weekly Highs
Efficiency: Bridget Carleton (CIMSA CBK Mersin) - 28 Points: Bridget Carleton (CIMSA CBK Mersin) - 23 Rebounds: Valeriane Ayayi (ZVVZ USK Praha) - 12 Assists: Julie Allemand (Fenerbahce Opet) - 9 Steals: Mariona Ortiz (Casademont Zaragoza) - 5 Blocks: Iliana Rupert (CIMSA CBK Mersin) - 3
Schio deliver in huge battle with Bourges; Praha hold their nerve
The entertainment and tension was turned up to the max as Schio came good late in the contest to take an 84-72 win at Bourges. It had looked like they might breeze to victory after an electric opening, but Bourges came back and set up a nail-biting conclusion.
With the game finely balanced at 66-65 to Schio with just over three minutes remaining, they made their move with a 10-2 run and snapped the contest open again. Dorka Juhasz was a tower of strength in the paint with 13 points and 8 rebounds, while Janelle Salaun netted 19 points - as did Kariata Diaby in defeat. Praha breathed a sigh of relief as they got the 72-66 win they needed against Zaragoza to finish in third place in Group F. Needing victory by at least five points, they almost blew it having led by as many as 18 in the contest, but only scoring single digits in the last period.
Valeriane Ayayi was a difference-maker for Praha with 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Teja Oblak returned from long-term injury with a classy 16 points. Fenerbahce blasted their way past Valencia to take a stunning 88-71 win in Spain and maintain their perfect record. Ahead 59-31 at the break and out of sight, that was mainly due to some super work from Gabby Williams. who finished with a team-high 18 points.
Emma Meesseman contributed 14 points, 6 assists and 4 steals, with fellow Belgian Julie Allemand handing out 9 assists and completing a super night of work with 15 points. Having lost for the first time this season in their previous outing, Mersin were almost stung again, this time by Basket Landes. However, they came up with the goods in the closing minutes to take a 74-67 victory that was founded on Bridget Carleton posting a season-best 23 points, as well as pulling down 8 rebounds. While both Avenida and Brno knew their respective EuroLeague Women seasons were about to end heading into their clash, it was the former who left on a high after a superb 65-63 success. The Spanish side came back from the dead after trailing by 22 points, helped by 20 points from Spanish rising star Iyana Martin Carrion who has enjoyed a stellar rookie campaign.
Results
Tuesday, January 28 ZVVZ USK Praha 72-66 Casademont Zaragoza CIMSA CBK Mersin 74-67 Basket Landes Zabiny Brno 63-65 Perfumerias Avenida Valencia Basket Club 71-88 Fenerbahce Opet Tango Bourges Basket 72-84 Beretta Famila Schio
FIBA