EuroLeague Women Week 3 social media spotlight and reaction

MUNICH (EuroLeague Women) - We look back on an absorbing Week 3 of EuroLeague Women action to see how it went down on social media and catch up with some of those involved.

There were plenty of exciting match-ups and none more so than Galatasaray coming out on top 74-72 at Le Prado against Bourges Basket in a real thriller. Olivia Epoupa might have been the smallest player on the court, but she came up with a stunning 13 rebounds for the visitors, as she enjoyed a winning return to her homeland.

"We are very happy that we are leaving France with a big win like this," said the playmaker.

"We played good basketball, played as a unit and managed to secure the win in the end. I really enjoyed playing in my country and I think we deserved the win."

There were also plenty of other contributors for Galatasaray, including game-winner Alexandria Qugley, center Gintare Petronyte and a typically feisty Jelena Dubljevic.

Wisla CANPACK suffered some heartbreak as they just missed out on their first win after leading for most of the night at Perfumerias Avenida, before being edged out 62-57 in the closing minutes.

It was especially disappointing for Spanish shooter Leonor Rodriguez who fired in 15 points on her return to her former club.

"I am still very proud of my team, since we fought and fought, but we just didn't get the reward," said the guard.

"It is the third time in a row in which we have been close, but we didn't get the victory. I know perfectly how difficult it is playing in Salamanca, but we did a great job until the last minutes."

That victory for Avenida also underlined the resilience of the Spanish champions who moved to 3-0.

It was a fact not lost on center, Angelica Robinson.

Fenerbahce successfully bounced back from their Week 2 defeat by easing past BLMA 79-63, thanks mainly to 20 points from Ana Dabovic.

"It was a great team effort, with our guards great in defense and that helped us to steal a lot of balls," said the Serbian.

"It is always nice to play in front of our fans and we enjoyed the win at home."

Captain Birsel Vardarli Demirmen was quick to hop next door to the Ulker Arena once business had been taken care of.

She was eager to lend her support to the Fenerbahce men's team.

Maros Kovacik wasted no time in explaining the reasons behind his Nadezhda side being swept away 76-46 by a rampant Famila Schio.

"I'll be brief and I will take all the blame for the defeat as the coach's headquarters failed," stated the play-caller.

"First of all, it's about attitude. We saw the team just surrendering and maybe when we won in Poland at Wisla last week, everyone thought that EuroLeague Women would be easy.

"We now fully appreciate the full force of this tournament, but we will not fail. Wins will be necessary, but it requires the efforts of all: players, coaches, management and fans."

Dynamo Kursk took their first road win as they eventually shrugged off a pesky Sopron Basket 88-74 as they increased their depth even further.

That was due to Nnemkadi Ogwumike finally joining the squad in the wake of her WNBA Finals participation.

Similarly, while all eyes were on the returning DeWanna Bonner from maternity leave as she posted a winning debut for ZVVZ USK Prague, it was the homegrown Alena Hanusova who starred with 20 points in a 72-66 victory.

She said: "We had some very good defensive rebounds and especially from Amanda Zahui who helped us a lot.

"I think if we want to continue in EuroLeague Women, it is important to win the home games and this one was very important for us.

"Polkowice played really tough, especially in defense, so it was really hard to score. But we won and that's the most important thing," concluded Hanusova.

FIBA