MUNICH (Germany) - Valencia Basket Club and Fenerbahce Opet took a step closer to securing spots in the last four of EuroLeague Women after they both claimed wins in Game 1 of the Semi-Final Play-Ins. They were successful in their first leg matchups with CIMSA CBK Mersin and Beretta Famila Schio respectively and will be favorites to seal the deal in next week's matchups.
In the Quarter-Final Play-Ins, ZVVZ USK Praha won a nail-biter at Basket Landes, while Tango Bourges Basket dealt a major blow to the hopes of Final Six hosts, Casademont Zaragoza with a big win in Spain.
The second leg games of the Play-Ins will take place on Wednesday, February 26.
Weekly Highs
Efficiency: Brionna Jones (ZVVZ USK Praha) - 39 Points: Brionna Jones (ZVVZ USK Praha) - 31 Rebounds: Brionna Jones (ZVVZ USK Praha) - 16 Assists: Maite Cazorla (ZVVZ USK Praha) - 12 Steals: Valeriane Ayayi (ZVVZ USK Praha) - 5 Blocks: Multiple Players - 1
Key Storylines
- Valencia to take a stunning 31-point advantage to Türkiye after a classy win against Mersin; - Fenerbahce ease out Schio and still favorites to progress after they wrap up road win; - Jones harvests spectacular double-double for Praga as they edge out Basket Landes; - Bourges beat Zaragoza to leap towards Final Six spot.
Vibrant Valencia find higher gear to put one foot in last four
It was a special atmosphere for Valencia as their fans brought the noise to fuel their team's sensational 89-57 success against CIMSA CBK Mersin. It was a spectacular third quarter that snapped the game and possibly the entire tie open.
The Spanish side surged ahead off the back of a devastating 27-7 period that left their opponents unable to respond in any significant way - even with Marine Johannes back in their lineup after months sidelined with an injury. Valencia produced a sparkling team effort, with five players in double-digits and Alina Iagupova the pick of the bunch after racking up 18 points.
Fenerbahce fend off Schio to take control
Fenerbahce will be expected to see off Schio when they re-engage with their rivals for the Semi-Finals ticket in the second game next week in Istanbul. However, there is plenty of hope for Schio, since they trailed by as many as 16 points in this first contest and worked hard to narrow the deficit to 86-80.
It looked like the visitors would race away after a red-hot opening, but Schio regained a foothold - helped by 24 points from veteran guard Giorgia Sottana and 19 points from Janelle Salaun. Fenerbahce were led by Emma Meesseman who was on fire with 29 points, while fellow MVP frontrunner Gabby Williams netted 20 points.
Jones shows out as Praha squeeze past Landes
It might be a modest lead of just four points, but ZVVZ USK Praha will be looking forward to hosting Basket Landes in the second leg of the Quarter-Final Play-Ins after an exciting 72-68 victory in Mont-de-Marsan. Brionna Jones stole the show after lighting it up with a monumental double-double of 31 points and 16 boards.
There was little between both clubs in a hard-fought contest with 10 lead changes and no team getting ahead at any point by double-digits. But Praha finished more strongly and will hope they have enough to finish the job and step to Final Six. They will look to dominate once again in the paint having out-scored Landes 48-22, while Maite Cazorla also impressed with 12 assists.
Bourges blast past Zaragoza
There could be Final Six disappointment for host city Zaragoza after their hopes of making the season showpiece were left hanging by a thread after Bourges claimed a superb 75-55 success. Snapping open a first-half that had seen little daylight between either teams, a 24-13 third quarter proved to be the difference-maker. They will look to cement a return to the same court in April by wrapping up a Quarter-Final Play-Ins triumph on French soil next week. Amy Okonkwo did the damage in the frontcourt with 16 points and 7 boards, while Pauline Astier and Tima Pouye claimed 15 and 17 points respectively from the Bourges backcourt.
Results
Wednesday, February 19
Semi-Final Play-Ins Beretta Famila Schio 80-86 Fenerbahce Opet Valencia Basket Club 89-57 CIMSA CBK Mersin Basket Landes 68-72 ZVVZ USK Praha Casademont Zaragoza 55-75 Tango Bourges Basket
FIBA