FERROL (Spain) – As BAXI Ferrol prepare to make more EuroCup Women history with one last dance, Claire Melia is still trying to process how the rookies have somehow written an amazing Cinderella story that will see them step out in this season's Finals. The Spanish club face Villeneuve d’Ascq LM looking to complete one of the greatest rides any team has ever managed in the competition.
The first-timers had to navigate this year's Qualifiers just to make the Regular Season and remarkably, they now one find themselves a step away from being crowned the most unlikely winners ever. Even if they don't complete the feat, they have already been heralded for a special and landmark campaign. "It certainly does feel like a fairytale," confessed Melia.
"I don’t think it will hit until after we finish the season, exactly what our team has done. It's a great achievement by such a small club.
"The main thing that jumps out to me, is that we have had people step up at different times in every game when we needed it. It’s a full team effort throughout the whole journey.
"We go out and enjoy playing. We take it all in and try our best each time. Our coach Lino [Lopez] always says to go out and enjoy it. It’s important to do that and take in these moments as they don't come around often."
Melia is one of those players who certainly have stepped up, with the frontcourt ace pouring in 40 points across the two-legs of the Semi-Finals against LDLC ASVEL Feminin. Meanwhile, her teammate Angela Mataix thrust herself into the spotlight with some incredible displays that saw her take January MVP honors. "Angela is a great person on and off the court," enthused Melia. "She is a natural leader and a selfless person. She wants to do what is best for the team. She has really stepped up especially in the EuroCup Women games, which is great for her and for us of course.
"She is a hard worker and leaves it all on the court. She is a really enjoyable player to watch play and play alongside."
It's also striking just how much of a vibe it is to represent Ferrol right now. Melia takes little persuasion to praise the job of Coach Lopez and the tight-knit environment that underpins everything about the underdogs. She said: "For me, I have settled in well here both on and off the court. "Lino is an understanding coach and understands there’s a life outside of basketball. He cares about us as people and adapts things to help us. I’m extremely grateful towards Lino for giving me this opportunity to come play here in Ferrol. "It's a really nice town with great people. The support and community atmosphere is amazing - people are always willing to help out if you need it."
For everyone connected with Ferrol, completing the full fairytale would indeed be sensational and if it does happen, then there would be an added dimension for Melia.
She is the leading light for the Ireland national team – something she underlined impressively in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers. If she does take a winners' medal, Melia will become the first Irish champion of a women's European title.
The 25-year-old confessed: "It's actually crazy to think about. I'm so lucky to have such a great group of friends and family at home who have always been supporting me. They have helped me get to where I am and be the person I am today. "It will be great for Irish basketball for getting more recognition and then to show younger people that you don’t have to just go to America to play and that Europe is an option too!” Now it's all eyes on what could be a sensational couple of matchups against Villeneuve, although Melia admitted that getting over the line will be tough. "They are a strong physical team," she warned. "We are going to have to be ready for that. They have a lot of talent and it will be a tough game. All we can do is our best and enjoy the game," she concluded.
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