ZARAGOZA (Spain) - Fenerbahce Opet finished EuroLeague Women Final Six on a high note as they bounced back from the disappointment of relinquishing their crown by beating Valencia Basket Club 59-49 in the Third Place Game.
While it won't make up for the pain of their only loss all season coming in the Semi-Finals, the prospect of not winning at all in Zaragoza was unthinkable. for the Turkish giants.
Meanwhile Valencia will take heart from still posting their highest ever finish in the competition, despite being ravaged by injuries.
Turning point
The game was in the balance heading into the last period with Fenerbahce leading by a solitary point. However, they cranked up their defense and held Valencia scoreless for more than five minutes and that put the daylight needed to ease to victory.
Game heroes
Just 24 hours after being crowned EuroLeague Women MVP for a third consecutive season, Emma Meesseman was somewhere back near to her best for Fenerbahce.
She led her side with a performance efficiency average of 24 after posting a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. Leonie Fiebich responded with 15 points in defeat.
Stats don't lie
Valencia didn't have the scoring depth they needed with multiple players missing and it was illustrated clearly with just 7 points off the bench.
Bottom line
Fenerbahce may have won the game, but they still labored in a big way and didn't find any rhythm in the game at all. Packed with offensive talent, their final tally was way below expectations and it was thanks to their defense and marquee baller Meesseman that they banked victory. Anything less than the three-peat was never going to be anywhere near good enough.
Valencia showed a bucket load of heart in adversity. Already injury-ridden, they were without Leticia Romero for this one and yet still pushed Fenerbahce hard after a slow start in the game. Their fans, who turned up in big numbers as always, will be super proud of their club's historic high finish.
They said
"I had a speech with the team and said not to give into the emotions of defeat and to have low energy. We had a job to do. This game was not about basketball, it was about character. The game we lost, they just wanted it more – and that is character and an act of will." - Fenerbahce Opet center, Tina Charles
"It was a tough game and we had a mission to stop the fast game of Valencia. We slowed them down and controlled the defensive rebounds, so I am proud of my players." - Fenerbahce Opet head coach, Valerie Garnier. "For me it is hard to believe we were so close to making the Final and now we’re fourth. That is a tough weekend for us. We showed that we can play at this level and belong as one of the best teams in Europe." - Valencia Basket Club guard, Leonie Fiebich
FIBA