ZARAGOZA (Spain) - ZVVZ USK Praha enjoyed a dream Semi-Final performance as they shocked back-to-back holders Fenerbahce Opet with a 91-71 victory at EuroLeague Women Final Six in Zaragoza.
They will now face either Valencia Basket Club or CIMSA CBK Mersin in Sunday's title showdown as they denied Fenerbahce a three-peat with a stunning team display.
It was the first first EuroLeague Women defeat for Fenerbahce in over 15 months.
Turning point
Already ahead at the break by nine points, the big question was whether Praha could withhold the predicted Fenerbahce storm during the third quarter. But it never arrived and the Czech side took full advantage to push home their advantage in style and out to 21 points shortly before the end of the period. Fenerbahce had no answer to their passing, cutting and shooting.
Game heroes
Aussie center Ezi Magbegor was immense and finished the contest with a brilliant double-double of 16 points and 16 boards.
In fact, it was a case of twin towers as Brionna Jones also showed out with 16 points and 7 boards, while playmaker Teja Oblak had 13 points and 8 assists. But everyone really did play their role for Praha in a famous victory, with plentiful positive contributions all over the floor and from then bench.
Stats don't lie
Praha punished Fenerbahce on the glass. They had 10 offensive boards at half-time which set the tone and ultimately they finished with 17 of them compared to just 3 for Fener. They won the rebounding battle 50-18 which is truly extraordinary. Additionally, Praha shot almost 64 percent from two-point range which is almost unthinkable.
Bottom line
Natalia Hejkova and her players were outstanding from top to bottom. They racked up the best display of the season without the injured Maite Cazorla and with Valeriane Ayayi in deep foul trouble. Their decision making collectively was outstanding and the intent they showed on the boards was superb. The leadership of Teja Oblak and cameo off the bench of Tereza Vyoralova was immense and with their bigs on fire, there was a lot to love.
Fenerbahce looked out of sorts in many ways. The intensity needed at the showpiece event was missing and they paid a heavy price. They didn't move the ball enough offensively and defensively failed to show their teeth with the fundamentals such as boxing out. Yes, EuroLeague Women is brutal and despite not losing since January 2024, this season's title dream is over because of one very rare bad day.
They said
"It was our best performance of the season for sure in the right moment. It was a team performance and everyone as very useful in defense and offense. I have never seen in my career a team winning the rebounds 50-18 with Fenerbahce and that was great for us." ZVVZ USK Praha head coach Natalia Hejkova
"We lost the game 50 rebounds to 18 and that is the game there. It's just heart and that is why it hurts even more. We can't blame anyone but ourselves for that. It encompasses what the whole game was about and they just had more heart than us." Fenerbahce Opet forward Gabby Williams
FIBA