Final Four memories with Valdemoro, Lawson-Wade and Brondello

MUNICH (Germany) - For every player or coach, stepping out at a Final Four is a special experience and down the years, there have been so many memories for those involved.

We caught up with a trio of the biggest names from past Final Fours to find out more about their experiences.

Amaya Valdemoro

A Spanish basketball legend and double Olympian, who played in EuroLeague Women for several different clubs, Valdemoro is an iconic figure in her homeland. She is now utilizing her extensive knowledge in the media. You can follow her @valdemoro13 on Twitter and on Instagram.

Special / funny moment - I played at many Final Four tournaments and always had a great time playing and also afterwards. I remember one when I had a great time at the party of Shabtai von Kalmanovich (former owner of Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje) when all the teams were there and it was great!​

Toughest game at a Final Four - When we lost in the 2010 Final against Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje in Valencia with Ros Casares, in front of our own fans. Also, I remember my first year in Russia with Samara when we also lost against Brno in the Final. Every time you lose, it is really hard!

What makes the Final Four special? - You get to play to be the number one team in Europe and with (and against) the best players. It is also a competition where you can't have mistakes, since it's only two games. With the very best European and American players in all the teams, it's great!

Edwige Lawson-Wade

A French basketball legend and double Olympian, who played in EuroLeague Women for multiple clubs, Lawson-Wade is now General Manager (GM) of BLMA. Her husband James is also part of the coaching team at Final Four 2019 participants, UMMC Ekaterinburg. You can follow her @Edwige_Lawson​ on Twitter and @edwigelawson on Instagram.

Special / funny moment - My husband always reminds me laughing off the Final Four that we won in 2002. Everybody was in tears after winning at home in Valenciennes except me, because it was my first year playing EuroLeague Women at 22 years old and I honestly had no idea how hard it was to win the title. But, now I know.

Toughest game at a Final Four - It was the 2003 loss in the Final against Ekaterinburg. We lost by two points. It was one of the toughest disappointments. The kind that means you cannot sleep afterwards for days.

What makes the Final Four special? - What I love about the Final Four is that you play against some of the best players in the world, but with some of the best players in the world. Yet it is not always the best players in the world that win, but the best team!

Best Final Four memory - I can't choose one best memory. It will have to be the three times I won EuroLeague Women. That is because each of those titles came with its own stories of love, joy, pain and sacrifice and therefore will be special in my heart forever.

Sandy Brondello

Attaining success as a player and coach in EuroLeague Women, Brondello took Australia to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 Final and is a three-time Olympian from her playing days with the Opals. She was part of the UMMC Ekaterinburg coaching setup for several years and now coaches in the WNBA.

Special / funny moment - Winning my one and only EuroLeague Women Final Four as a player in 1996 with BTV Wuppertal of Germany was my most special moment.

Toughest game at a Final Four - The toughest game was in the 2016 title game against Nadezhda Orenburg. DeWanna Bonner and her team played great, but we (UMMC) finally prevailed after a hard fought game.

What makes the Final Four special? - All Final Fours are special because it means you get to play in the biggest games of the year in Europe and against the best teams.

Best Final Four memory - My best memories are all the times when we became champions (1996, 2013, 2016).​

*FIBA also caught up with both Ann Wauters and Ewelina Kobryn for the official Final Four Event Guide.

FIBA