Good Angels Kosice rising to the challenge
KOSICE (EuroCup Women) – The fans of Good Angels Kosice have been praised for their role in helping to catapult their side into the EuroCup Women Round of 16.
More than 2,000 supporters packed into the Infiniti Arena for last month’s do-or-die last game of the Regular Season, with the hosts having needed a minimum of an eight-point victory to advance.
The locals revelled in roaring their favourites to an eye-catching 72-59 victory as they dumped out a stacked Olympiacos side that had been tipped to make a deep run in the tournament.
It was a memorable night for everyone connected with Kosice and especially since the club has been coming to terms with no longer competing with the Continent’s elite, having started the last eight campaigns in EuroLeague Women.
"We are very pleased that we succeeded in this way and successfully handled the situation," stated a satisfied head coach, Peter Jankovic.
"I think the whole club and the girls definitely deserve it [to qualify] for their work in our last two games.
"We made it thanks to our big heart and great fans," added the play-caller.
The players and fans enjoyed a special night against Olympiacos as they punched their ticket for the Round of 16
The sentiment was echoed by playmaker Teja Oblak who enthused, "I think the fans were amazing and they were definitely our sixth player on the court.
"I can say that for me and also for the team overall, it was such an emotional match.
"From the beginning to the end, we believed in our abilities, and although we did not have an easy task, we always believed we could do it."
Kosice will now meet the unbeaten Flammes Carolo Basket in the next phase which looks a daunting task on paper.
But, after rising to the challenge against Olympiacos and with Australian forward Rebecca Allen and the power-packed Victoria Baugh complementing the point guard skills of Oblak, it looks like it could be a mouth-watering tie.
FIBA
