Breaking the curse: Fenerbahce's emotional journey to the EuroLeague Women title

PRAGUE (Czech Republic) - Everyone at Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding will talk about it for years to come and will never forget the night they finally won EuroLeague Women title after a long and sometimes painful road.

The celebrations after the final buzzer had sounded on their resounding 99-60 success against fellow Turkish side CBK Mersin Yenisehir Bld were full throated. The outpouring of emotion was laced with a palpable sense of relief. It reflected belatedly completing their mission - after a decade of trying. 

With four Final losses previously, it was fifth time lucky as a record-breaking 35 point show from MVP Breanna Stewart initiated a shower of golden tickertape to cascade from the ceiling of the Kralovka Arena.

It could have been seen as a signal to put everything that went before in a box and throw it away. Instead, it only made being crowned champions even sweeter. That was because this wasn't just Four Final losses; there were some absolutely agonizing ones in there.

"THIS MEANS EVERYTHING AFTER THESE LAST YEARS WHEN IT WAS HEARTBREAK AFTER HEARTBREAK." - Kayla McBride

The defeat to UMMC Ekaterinburg during 2013 and to Dynamo Kursk in 2017 were a little easier to stomach. But the defeat in 2014 to fierce city rivals Galatasaray who effectively won a Turkish Basketball 'Space Race' to become the first champion from the country was punishing.,

Then, last year in front of a massive Final Four crowd, they failed against underdogs Sopron Basket in Istanbul at home. Everything was aligned. It was supposed to be a coronation. But Sopron tore up the script and it was an ugly ending in truth. 

It's why there was a powerful feeling of redemption in Prague for the likes of Kayla McBride, who arguably suffered more than most in the previous title game. Speaking after getting a winners' medal, you could feel in her voice what it meant - the curse of previous years still swirling in her mind.  

"This means everything after these last years when it was heartbreak after heartbreak," confessed McBride.

"I AM SO PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS GROUP AND PART OF FENERBAHCE."- Kayla McBride

"Being with Fenerbahce and being part of history with this group and with this team really does mean everything to me, because we have been through so much.

"We added players to the ones that were already here and it is an amazing feeling. We worked so hard for it, pushing each other and getting through the adversities.

"This feels good and to do it with what you feel like is your family is even better," she continued.

"You could tell in the Semi-Final game this year that we were nervous after having our hearts broken last year in front of our home fans.

"But to pick things up and play like the way we did in the second half of the Semi-Final and then in the Final means everything. I am so proud to be part of this group and part of Fenerbahce."

"WE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM WHAT HAPPENED IN PAST SEASONS AND ESPECIALLY LAST SEASON." - Olcay Cakir Turgut

Her thoughts were echoed strongly by long-serving captain and Turkey national team member Olcay Cakir Turgut. 

"I don't know what to say because we worked so hard to get to this moment," she smiled.

"We worked so hard to get the trophy and I am so happy that I don't really know how to even explain how I feel. We learned so much from what has happened in past seasons and especially last season - I think we showed it in this Final."

The challenge now for Fenerbahce if they choose to embrace it, is to make sure the bridge between this breakthrough title and their next does not span 10 years.

Nothing is easy in EuroLeague Women of course and there are no guarantees. Fenerbahce know that better than most. But now the monkey is truly off their back, they might just be able to push on and join the pantheon of multiple winners including the likes of Sparta&K M.R Vidnoje, UMMC Ekaterinburg and Bourges Basket.

FIBA