Roundup: Seventh title in a row for ZVVZ USK Prague
PRAGUE (EuroLeague Women/EuroCup Women) The dominance of Czech club basketball by ZVVZ USK Prague has been extended further after they celebrated a seventh successive ZBL championship.
Prague stay perfect to land title
There has once again been no competing with the EuroLeague Women side by their domestic rivals after veteran play-caller Natalia Hejkova and her players strode to a 3-0 sweep against Hradec Kralove. They secured a successful defense of their silverware after breezing to an 88-42 win.
The game saw both Laia Palau and Sonja Petrovic play for the last time in a Prague vest, with their respective arrivals having collided with the most successful period in the club's history.
Girona force decider with Avenida
There will be a thrilling conclusion to the Liga Femenina season this week after Spar Citylift Girona leveled the Finals 1-1 against reigning champions Perfumerias Avenida to force a third-and-deciding contest in Salamanca.
Ify Ibekwe poured in 24 points to inspire the Catalan side to an exciting 79-75 home win against their rivals.
UMMC and Kursk go to Game Five
The Russian Premier League Play-Off Finals are turning out to be a roller-coaster, with reigning champions UMMC and Dynamo Kursk now just one victory away from the title. UMMC were heavily beaten as Kursk moved 2-1 in front, but Ekaterinburg leveled as they recovered in front of their own fans to ride to an 82-75 victory off the back of 19 points from Diana Taurasi.
Gesam Gas Lucca win Finals opener
After being pipped to top spot in the Regular Season by Beretta Famila Schio, revenge is on the menu for Gesam Gas Lucca. They got off to a great start in serving it up to their rivals after a fine display and 18 points from Tall Ferns star Jillian Harmon led them to a 55-48 road win in the first game of the Italian championship Finals.
ESBVA-LM jump into Finals
There was high drama in the Semi-Finals of the French LFB as ESBVA-LM took their spot in the Play-Off Finals after a pulsating 73-72 victory against Flammes Carolo Basket. Ukrainian ace Alina Iagupova scored 22 points to deny the visitors who almost overturned a 19-point deficit in the contest.
Villeneuve will be joined by either BLMA or Tango Bourges Basket, with Montpellier having won 71-60 on the road at Le Prado to level the series 1-1 after Les Bleues shooter Sarah Michel netted 18 points.
Fenerbahce and Yakin Dogu roll towards Finals
In what is an all-Istanbul last four of the KBSL Play-Offs, Fenerbahce and Yakin Dogu Universitesi got off to winning starts in their respective Semi-Finals series. The former crushed arch rivals Galatasaray 83-61 as Candace Parker lit it up with a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds.
Meanwhile Regular Season victors and EuroCup Women winners Yakin Dogu Universitesi eased past Besiktas 76-62, with Kayla McBride exploding for 26 points, Quanitra Hollingsworth adding 19 and 10 rebounds and Courtney Vandersloot dishing up 12 assists.
Olympiacos defend Greek title
Greece national team legend Evanthia Maltsi has led Olympiacos to a successful defense of their championship crown after the veteran scored 20 points in a 69-58 triumph at Athinaikos.
Playing her first season back in her homeland, the ambitious Athens side swept their opponents to storm to the coveted silverware.
Castors Braine reign again
Castors Braine are still the top team in Belgium after going four in a row by storming their way to the championship with a massive 101-72 win against Kangoeroes. Celeste Trahan-Davis starred with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Lulea Basket take Damligan title
There was joy for Lulea BBK Basket as they finished top of the pile in the Swedish League - lifting the championship against arch rivals and Regular Season winners Udominate.
They clinched a 3-1 series victory after a 71-65 triumph which was underpinned by Netherlands ace Janis Ndiba, who completed a fabulous line of 20 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists. Her display was supported by 18 points and 11 rebounds from Alice Nystrom.
Elsewhere in Europe
Wisla Can-Pack lost their first two games of the BLK Finals in Poland against Sleza Wroclaw and looked destined to relinquish their crown, but are now level at 2-2 after a weekend win double in Krakow.
ASC Sepsi Sic are the champions of Romania after collecting an 85-76 success on the road at Cluj-Napoca which completed a 3-1 series victory. Chay Shegog was the standout performer after she racked up a stellar 22 points and 16 rebounds to secure the silverware.
HyPo were crowned champions of Finland after taking the title 76-69 against Espoo United thanks to the legendary national team star Taru Tuukkanen. She rolled back the years and contributed 18 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists.
Icelandic powerhouse Keflavik added to their list of honors after winning the title against Snaefell as Ariana Moorer fired 29 points and pulled down a monstrous 19 boards in a commanding 70-50 home victory which completed a 3-1 series success.
FIBA
