FIBA Basketball

Roundup: Drama as Yakin Dogu Universitesi crowned champions of Turkey

ISTANBUL (EuroCup Women/EuroLeague Women) - There was a stunning conclusion to the Turkish League season as Yakin Dogu Universitesi beat Fenerbahce 76-75 in game five to win the championship.

ISTANBUL (EuroCup Women / EuroLeague Women) - There was a stunning conclusion to the Turkish League season as Yakin Dogu Universitesi beat Fenerbahce 76-75 in game five to win the championship.

Drama as Yakin Dogu wrap up incredible campaign

Having already made history with their maiden EuroCup Women and Turkish Cup titles, Yakin Dogu Universitesi sealed a magnificent treble with a first-ever KBSL Championship to confirm their status as the new powerhouse in Turkish women's basketball.

We did it again ! And Again ! #ydu #champions 🏆🏆🏆

A post shared by Olcay Çakır Turgut (@olcaycakir4) on May 17, 2017 at 2:00pm PDT

In a match-up of absorbing momentum swings, Yakin Dogu had led Fenerbahce 2-0 in the series, but then looked destined for heartache when their illustrious rivals not only won both home encounters, but were two possessions ahead in game five - with sixty seconds left on the clock.

But, the multi-talented Kayla McBride stepped up to save the day with some late interventions, as Quanitra Hollingsworth scored what proved to be the decisive basket against her former club. She finished with a brilliant 20 points and 10 boards.

Man, when i tell you i was overwhelmed with emotion tonight, that's an understatement. Turkish Cup, EuroCup, and Turkish League Champions. No amount of pride will suffice. This team battled all season long, against all odds man. We did it!! Could not be more proud to be apart of this group...Now it's back to America and the WNBA season but i will never ever forget this moment, this team, and all the growth that has happened in these 5 months.. #StillHere #TripleCrown #3ofem #YakinDogu

A post shared by Kayla McBride (@kaymac_21) on May 17, 2017 at 11:27am PDT

Yet there was still time for a late twist as Candace Parker had two free throws with two seconds remaining, which could have handed Fenerbahce the silverware - or at least forced overtime. But, she missed both.

ESBVA-LM crowned champions of France

There were some testing moments for ESBVA-LM and their head coach Frederic Dusart early in the campaign when his new-look team lost a number of league games.

C'est une jolie aventure dans le Nord qui se termine de la plus belle des façons ! Comme vous avez pu le lire, j'ai décidé de rejoindre Bourges à compter de la saison prochaine, un choix sportif pour un nouveau challenge. Je tiens très sincèrement à remercier tous les supporters de l'ESBVA pour leur soutien tout au long de cette saison, ce titre il est pour vous, vous le méritez tellement ! Vous êtes un public magnifique et ça a été un vrai honneur de porter vos couleurs ! C'est avec grand plaisir que je vous retrouverai la saison prochaine sous le maillot Tango ! Un grand Merci à vous et à très bientôt !

A post shared by VALÉRIANE AYAYI (@valeriane_ayayi) on May 14, 2017 at 10:33am PDT

But, it all ended in tears of joy for Villeneuve last weekend after they lifted the LFB title by completing a 3-1 series win against BLMA.

ESBVA-LM stormed to a 66-49 triumph in the fourth encounter, with 9 points and 11 rebounds from Marielle Amant providing the foundation for success.

Au terme du match 4 dominé par les Guerrières (66-49), On est champions... on est champions... on est, on est, on est champiooooooooonnnnnnns !!! #esbvalm #tousderrierelesguerrieres #championsLFB #basket #basketball #lfb #finalelfb #ffbb Réalisation graphique : @break_communication

A post shared by ESBVALM (@esbvalm_officiel) on May 12, 2017 at 1:42pm PDT

Now the champions will quickly turn the page, having already confirmed there will be another new-look team for 2017-18, with Great Britain's Johannah Leedham and Serbia's Nevena Jovanovic having already been confirmed.

Dikeoulakos back in Poland

Jeden z najlepszych szkoleniowców w Europie, George Dikeoulakos poprowadzi #cccteam w sezonie 2017/2018! 💪 Welcome to our team @george_dikeoulakos! 🏀🙂 #GoForMore #headcoach #cccpolkowice #basketballcoach #basketball #womensbasketball

A post shared by CCC Polkowice (@ccc_polkowice) on May 15, 2017 at 1:25am PDT

Former Fenerbahce and Nadezhda Orenburg play-caller George Dikeoulakos will coach CCC Polkowice during the 2017-18 club season.

The ex-Greece national team boss previously coached in Poland earlier in his career when he won plaudits for his efforts at Lotos Gdynia.

Dikeoulakos coached almost the entire season with Fenerbahce in 2016-17 but parted ways shortly before the club's appearance at the EuroLeague Women Final Four.

FIBA