My favorite 10 plays from the EuroLeague Women Regular Season
NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen’s Women’s Basketball Worldwide) – Even if it is just because of increased exposure across social media, I can't remember a EuroLeague Women Regular Season with so many stunning highlights and plays.
Somehow, through 14 weeks of action and with more than 50 top plays to choose from, I bring you my top 10. Go enjoy and let me know what I missed via @Basketmedia365.
1. Alba Torrens does the Dejan Bodiroga dribble
WOW! It's #EuroLeagueWomen showtime 📽️ ..........World class moves from Alba Torrens of @baloncestofeb for @BC_UMMC 👏👏👏👏 and the reaction to it in the Arena is top class too 😂 pic.twitter.com/lrHAUJ26Wu
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) November 29, 2017
I mean seriously? Can you see what Torrens just did there? No more words needed.
2. Yvonne Turner and her Angel McCoughtry ankle breaker
Biggest #anklebreaker plays of the @fiba year? 😱😱💪💪👏👏 Yvonne Turner leaves Angel McCoughtry down! Lucky no 🚑 needed! WOW! #EuroLeagueWomen pic.twitter.com/iLcwm6rhal
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) October 25, 2017
This probably got the biggest reaction on social media and is one you could watch all day. I also love it because it was early in the season and Sopron had hope rather than expectation they could have a good season. Players like Turner have shone and helped them into the Quarter-Finals!
3. A stone cold crazy shot from Zietara
WOW! Halfway through #EuroLeagueWomen and just 👀👀👀at my 3⃣ favorite plays. 2⃣ are not even baskets! Just beautiful..... 🏀➕👣......I absolutely 😍them! pic.twitter.com/ihh23nUWwL
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) December 11, 2017
Every season you just get a crazy attempt that goes in. Step up Magda Zietara!
4. Doing DeWanna Bonner things - from half-court
It's @DEEBONNER24 doing @DEEBONNER24 things 👀👀🏀🏀🏀 ...... like dropping a half-court buzzer-beater for @zvvzuskprague 👐👐👐👐#EuroleagueWomen pic.twitter.com/uP8rLV08ha
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) December 6, 2017
A staggering three-pointer in itself, but this sticks with me from the non-celebration, like she does it every day in practice. Then again, we are talking about such a superb player, I would not be surprised. It was also memorable because she had only just returned to the tournament after time away.
5. Marine Johannes volleyball assist
So.....yet another reason @MarineJ5 is the present and the future for @BourgesBasket @FRABasketball - the sweetest volleyball assist 😍😍😍 - shows her instinctive feel for the game and skills 🙌 #EuroLeagueWomen pic.twitter.com/dmsmDnynIu
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) January 31, 2018
Johannes has had so many highlights, but the more I watch this one, the more I love it. The more I click replay. The more I marvel at her instincts for this game, her skills, that deft touch and execution. She is just a player. Full stop.
6. The bitter-sweet Anderson buzzer-beater
WOW! Buzzer-beating game-winner ⏲️ from @Jolenenancy14 for @familaschio 🔥🔥 and inflicts 💔 on winless Wisla! #EuroLeagueWomen pic.twitter.com/AKjp5FdxvL
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) November 1, 2017
I put this here because we had a lot of buzzer beaters at the end of periods and to pip the shot-clock, but this was one of a handful on the actual game buzzer. It was a sweet moment for her and for Schio, but for Wisla it was crushing and I did feel a little bad for them. Also now because they were 1 win away from the EuroCup Women Quarter-Finals. Fine margins!
7. Cora sending the entire Wisla defense to the European side of Istanbul
Such fun watching @corayse13 of @FBBasketbol playing in #EuroLeagueWomen 🏀 👀👀....the steal, the fake of the whole Wisla defense and then the score! Yes, I ❤️this play! pic.twitter.com/k9X2bMaH57
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) December 6, 2017
This play just made me smile so much. It was done with such audacious cheek, but also brilliance and quick thinking. I also smiled because Ayse Cora has had such an impactful season with Fenerbahce and is becoming every bit the player I wanted her to be when first watching her excel at youth level.
8. Weronika Gajda with the one-handed triple from way deep
You wanted a one handed 🖐️ buzzer-beater ⏱️3⃣ from deep, deep, deep downtown didn't you?
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) January 10, 2018
Ok, well here you go...! AMAZING from Weronika Gajda of @CCC_Polkowice 🙌🙌🙌#EuroLeagueWomen pic.twitter.com/P5Q63SLapw
The buzzer, the range, the one-handed shot. What is there not to love?
9. Dotto pulls the strings beautifully
Every week I engage my coaching 🧠 looking for plays. This weeks in @EuroLeagueWomen is this by @Dotto79 of @familaschio and @Italbasket ....just simply beautiful guard play - WHAT ball movement and an assist ❤️ #EuroLeagueWomen pic.twitter.com/YKgBVRghYZ
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) January 31, 2018
Got to drool over smart and simple guard play like this. I just absolutely love it. As a coach and as a fan!
10. The dramatic last few seconds in Salamanca
Drama as @Fenerbahce lose in the last seconds as @LauraNicholls1 gets the winning bucket for @CBAvenida in a 65-64 win. The Blue Tide erupts! #EuroLeagueWomen #scenes pic.twitter.com/RXI4IJesSJ
— Paul Nilsen (@basketmedia365) January 17, 2018
Sometimes the actual play might be ordinary, but the context of this game made this perhaps the most memorable of the season. Avenida snatched the victory from the jaws of defeat after an unexpected offensive foul on Fenerbahce gave them a time-out and possession. Then this happened - as Birsel Vardarli Demirmen almost won it at the death again for Fenerbahce! What a night and what an atmosphere!
Paul Nilsen
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