Great escapes, more Mersin selfies and Girona pile on the power
MUNICH (EuroCup Women) - With the EuroCup Women Round of 16 in the books, we catch up with some of those involved and see how it all went down on social media.
One of the biggest winners were KSC Szekszard who had been down by 15 points in the first leg on their home floor but hit back and then completed the job by winning 84-74 at Polish champions, Sleza Wroclaw.
There was understandable relief and elation with play-caller Zeljko Djokic musing: "I think that after the first game we improved and learned from our mistakes. We had some new goals to control rebounding, especially on defense.
"We wanted to control their fast-breaks and limit our turnovers and I think we managed all of these things. It was very good basketball for us at an excellent level and with a lot of great moments.
"It was pleasure for us to play in front of so many fans and Sleza is also a great team, but we were more lucky," added Djokic.
Courtney Paris was the standout figure in the Round of 16 from an individual standpoint.
Breathtaking. 🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) January 11, 2018
Courtney Paris has just posted a combined 38 points and 34 rebounds in the two legs of this #EuroCupWomen Round of 16 tie ! Two massive double-doubles and without that, Hatay would be out. pic.twitter.com/nA6RdjptX1
She needed to be, since Hatay would probably have been eliminated had it not been for two sensational displays in the games against Enisey Krasnoyarsk.
Spar Citylift Girona produced a power-packed 89-62 performance at home to Olympiacos to show they might be capable of going all the way in the competition.
They had every reason to celebrate in the locker room afterwards as they booked a Quarter-Finals place with Virtus Eirene.
Mersin are managing to build up what has become something of a tradition this season and that is the customary locker room selfie.
There was another for the collection as they progressed to the Round of 8 by completing a very impressive double over TTT Riga with a 63-62 road win following on from an 18-point first leg victory on home soil.
Another team looking set to push on for the silverware are Flammes Carolo Basket who crushed Artego Bydgoszcz in their tie.
I am calling this the steal equivalent of a poster dunk 😲😲😲
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) January 11, 2018
Way to go @kaleena_23 of @FlammesCarolo in @EuroCupWomen .👏👏👏👏 One to watch @WNBA @seattlestorm fans 👀👀 #EuroCupWomen pic.twitter.com/Fgvrj2jB6A
They showed that while they may be the best offensive side from a team standpoint because of their number of assists, they also like to get the job done defensively too.
The biggest escape came from Good Angels Kosice who managed to overcome a 14-point deficit in the first leg of their match-up with Basket Landes, winning the second meeting 63-44 to advance.
"I believed 110 percent that my girls would be able to reach the success in this game," enthused head coach, Peter Jankovic.
"It was tough, but the game showed the goal was not unreal. I'm proud of my team and I'm happy for our supporters, who will see one more EuroCup Women round of action at least," he added.
FIBA
