Avenida and Sopron snap up last tickets to the Play-Offs

MUNICH (Germany) - Perfumerias Avenida and reigning champions Sopron Basket took the last two spots in the EuroLeague Women Quarter-Finals on Wednesday night as Spar Girona missed out on the last eight. 

Perfumerias Avenida completed a 74-63 victory against domestic rivals Girona in the Game of the Week matchup to make it four wins in a row as their impressive form continued. They were cheered on by a packed crowd inside Pabellon Wurzburg, who relished the success in what has been a roller-coaster season.

A 14-8 second quarter lockdown by the hosts was instrumental in them gaining the upper hand and after half-time they always looked the most likely winners. Andrea Vilaro and Michaela Onyenwere shared 26 points to lead Avenida to a third-place finish in Group B.

The success of Avenida was a relief to title holders Sopron Basket since they needed a triumph themselves to be sure of progressing, but were blown away 81-50 at Beretta Famila Schio. However, Avenida's win sent them to the next phase and they will continue the defense of their crown.

It was an excellent show from Schio who secured second place in the group, helped mainly by 23 points and 9 rebounds from Marina Mabrey, although it was a strong team effort with many productive contributions.

CBK Mersin Yenisehir Bld had to work hard to see off the visiting Kangoeroes Mechelen 69-62, managing to finish 10-4 and top of Group B thanks mainly to an excellent all around display from Elizabeth Williams.

The center was too hot to handle for her opponents at both ends of the floor and finished with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals and 4 blocks. Kangoeroes finished their maiden campaign with a strong performance despite the result, Ziomara Morrison contributing 12 points and 13 rebounds, with Lisa Berkani netting a game-high 22 points, plus 7 assists. 

Basket Landes waved farewell to a true legend of the competition as Celine Dumerc completed her final EuroLeague game of a wonderful career. She moved past the 2,000 point landmark and was able to end with a smile as the French club moved past DVTK HUN-Therm 72-63.

Along with some excellent team defense, Dumerc had 13 points and 6 assists, with fellow guard Marie-Eve Paget top-scoring with 16 points for the 4-10 Landes, while DVTK closed out 6-8 in their rookie season.

Group A winners Fenerbahce Alogoz Holding defeated Tango Bourges Basket 90-79 on the road to finish the Regular Season with a 12-2 mark.

Breanna Stewart logged a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds for Fenerbahce, while the  8-6 Bourges, who finished fourth in the group, were fueled by a spectacular 24 points and 13 rebounds from Kayla Alexander.

Second placed ZVVZ USK Praha raced past Virtus Segafredo Bologna 71-50 as they finished with 10 wins and 4 losses compared to the Italians' unwanted 5 victories and 9 defeats. 

The damage was done in a balanced team effort by Praha, with Alyssa Thomas arguably the pick as the forward added 14 rebounds and 9 assists to her 8 point haul. Brionna Jones also came up with a fruitful 17 points and 10 boards. 

Valencia Basket Club sealed third place in Group A by improving to 9-5 as they inflicted a 65-55 defeat on Olympiacos SFP who exit with just a solitary victory to their name.

Four Valencia players had double digits as Angela Salvadores top scored with 15 points. 

A season-best 24 points from Zala Friskovec powered BC Polkowice past Atomeromu KSC Szekszard 94-76 as the Polish side bowed out on a high, despite their disappointment of just missing out on the Quarter-Finals. 

They finished a creditable 8-6, while their opponents signed off with a 3-11 record - an improvement on their first-ever Regular Season campaign last year when they went winless across all 14 games.

FIBA