EKATERINBURG (EuroLeague Women 2017) – UMMC Ekaterinburg sparked a party in their home city after they beat Nadezhda Orenburg Region to lift the UMMC Cup in a repeat of the 2016 EuroLeague Women Final.

The outcome proved to be the same, with UMMC taking a 75-65 victory which was underpinned by a combined 40 points from Slovenian playmaker Nika Baric and Rio Olympic Finalist, Alba Torrens. It was Baric in particular who stole the show after making seven-of-eight from the floor as she lit it up from downtown to take the MVP crown.

"I believe that it was a very tough game at this stage of the season," mused UMMC head coach, Olaf Lange.

"Both teams have had problems with their composition and for Orenburg, it was a completely new team - also, both sides had injured players. 

"I was very surprised at the level of spirit and dedication of our players. Everyone played hard and while on the one hand, it was a tough game; on the other hand, it was also fun. The girls really enjoyed it.

"At this stage of the season, I think this game was very good. The score does not reflect its closeness. In fact, the game went point-to-point, but at certain moments we were able to score important baskets. Nika Baric, scored four-of-five triples in the important moments, but I want to complement our opponents, as their pressure in defence was great.”

In the Semi-Finals, Lange and his players were able to breeze their way to a 92-47 win against fellow EuroLeague Women competitors CMB Cargo Uni Gyor, with Torrens again very influential and she was named to the tournament All-Star Five alongside her UMMC team-mate, Anna Petrakova.

Gyor were left winless in the fight for third place after being pipped 69-68 by an energetic and young Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje, who had Maria-Margarita Davydova make the All-Star Five. Brianna Kiesel took a slot for Gyor and Elena Beglova won a place to represent Nadezhda Orenburg Region.

FIBA