MUNICH (Germany) - Winning FIBA Women's EuroBasket is the ultimate mark of excellence for any national team player in Europe. But doing so in the same year as lifting the EuroLeague Women trophy?
That's a rare feat reserved for the elite.
Since the dawn of the modern EuroLeague Women era, only 16 players have stood atop both podiums in the same season - conquering Europe twice, once with their club and once while proudly wearing their country's colors.
Two years ago, Emma Meesseman managed to deliver with Fenerbahce and the Belgian Cats.
Just three players in total have joined the double club in the last decade: Spanish guard Anna Cruz did it in 2017 and Serbia great Sonja Vasic triumphant in 2015.
Fresh from being crowned EuroLeague Women champions with ZVVZ USK Praha, a new group of challengers now have the opportunity to become one of only a handful of players to do the double.
The list of European players who won the 2024-25 EuroLeague Women with ZVVZ USK Praha:
National Team | Players |
|---|---|
Czechia | Gabriela Andelova; Natalie Koucka; Karolina Petlanova; Mariana Pribylova; Veronika Sipova; Viktorie Staflova; Veronika Vorackova; Tereza Vyoralova |
France | Valeriane Ayayi |
Netherlands | Emese Hof |
Slovenia | Teja Oblak |
Spain | Maite Cazorla; Maria Conde |
Perhaps at the top of the candidate list to join the exclusive double club is Valeriane Ayayi, who will step out with France this summer. If Les Bleues do live up to the billing of being red-hot favorites, it would also be her first ever FIBA Women's EuroBasket Women title.
But she's not the only one in the running.
While Maria Conde is currently sidelined by injury, Spain remain a formidable force with Maite Cazorla. Meanwhile, Slovenia's Teja Oblak will be looking to weave her magic on the international stage as well.
Local USK Players stars Veronika Vorackova and Tereza Vyoralova will be among those looking to carry their club success into FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025, as co-hosts Czechia prepare to make their mark on home soil.
Meanwhile, with the Netherlands not qualified for the event, Dutch center Emese Hof will unfortunately not be in contention.
The list of players who have won EuroLeague Women and the FIBA Women's EuroBasket in the same year:
Player | Year | Club |
|---|---|---|
Emma Meesseman (BEL) | 2023 | Fenerbahce |
Anna Cruz (ESP) | 2017 | Dynamo Kursk |
Sonja Vasic (SRB) | 2015 | ZVVZ USK Praha |
Silvia Dominguez (ESP) | 2013 | UMMC Ekaterinburg |
Marina Karpunina (RUS) | 2007 | Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje |
Ekaterina Lisina (RUS) | 2007 | Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje |
Svetlana Abrosimova (RUS) | 2007 | Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje |
Irina Osipova (RUS) | 2007 | Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje |
Elena Baranova (RUS) | 2003 | UMMC Ekaterinburg |
Diana Goustilina (RUS) | 2003 | UMMC Ekaterinburg |
Anna Arkhipova (RUS) | 2003 | UMMC Ekaterinburg |
Irina Osipova (RUS) | 2003 | UMMC Ekaterinburg |
Yannick Souvre (FRA) | 2001 | Bourges Basket |
Nicole Antibe (FRA) | 2001 | Bourges Basket |
Catherine Melain (FRA) | 2001 | Bourges Basket |
Laetitia Moussard (FRA) | 2001 | Bourges Basket |
FIBA