MUNICH (Germany) - The first leg encounters of the EuroCup Women Play-Off Round 1 ties are in the bag, with early statements made and plenty of games left with all to play for.
Besiktas BOA were outstanding in their win over a strong Sopron Basket side, and there was a tight game in Romania as CIMSA CBK Mersin edged past CS Rapid Bucuresti in a nail-biter. On Wednesday, Castors Braine celebrated cutting down former EuroLeague Women competitors VBW Gdynia with a fine first-leg win. There was also joy for 2025 Finalists BAXI Ferrol, who put one foot in the next phase with a huge road win at GEAS.
Key Storylines
Besiktas BOA beat Sopron Basket thanks to a huge double-double from Fasoula and 16 assists by Whitcomb;
CIMSA CBK MERSIN overcome CS Rapid Bucuresti in a thrilling battle with all to play for in return leg;
Belgian outfit Castors Braine give themselves a great chance of progressing by beating VBW Gdynia.
Weekly Highs
Efficiency: Mariella Fasoula (Besiktas BOA) - 41 Points: Mariella Fasoula (Besiktas BOA) - 32 Rebounds: Mariella Fasoula (Besiktas BOA) - 14 Assists: Sami Whitcomb (Besiktas BOA) - 16 Steals: Maxuella Lisowa Mbaka (KKZ Crvena Zvezda) - 6 Blocks: Astou Ndour (Emlak Konut SK) - 4
Besiktas stuns Sopron; Mersin survives against Rapid Bucuresti
Besiktas BOA put in an impressive showing against Sopron Basket, shooting 52 percent from the field in their 106-90 victory in the first leg of their Play-Off tie. Despite hitting 16 three-pointers, the Hungarian side couldn't get it going in other areas of the floor. Mariella Fasoula starred for Besiktas with 32 points and 14 rebounds. Tara Wallack had 18 for Sopron.
CIMSA CBK Mersin edged CS Rapid Bucuresti 82-78 in the Romanian capital, in what was a frantic, back-and-forth battle that featured 12 lead changes. A pivotal three-pointer from Manolya Kurtulmus with three seconds left gave the Turkish side a slim cushion going into the return fixture. Kurtulmus and Laura Juskaite both had 18 points to lead Mersin. Claudia Cuic had 17 points and 6 assists for Rapid Bucuresti.
Panathinaikos A.C. ended KKZ Crvena Zvezda's unbeaten run in the competition as 26 points from Feyonda Fitzgerald helped the Greek side beat their Serbian counterparts 85-76, putting them in a strong position heading into the return leg. Alina Iagupova led KKZ Crvena Zvezda with 18 points and 6 assists.
Another unbeaten side from the Regular Season suffered its first loss, as Lointek Gernika Bizkaia hammered NKA Universitas Pecs 62-43 in their first leg tie. Masa Jankovic led the victors with 17 points and 8 rebounds, with Agnes Torok the only Pecs player in double figures, with 12 points.
Perfumerias Avenida needed a late score from Claudia Soriano to seal a vital 81-78 road win against Emlak Konut SK, leaving the Spaniards in a strong position to progress. Jessica Thomas had an opportunity to tie the game at the end, but her three-point attempt missed the target. Soriano, along with Iyana Martin, led Avenida with 17 points apiece. Thomas had a game-high 24 for Emlak Konut.
Castors set up a classic; 2025 Finalists making a move again
Castors Braine will carry an advantage to VBW Gdynia after an 80-73 home floor win. It could mean a thrilling and tense second meeting, although things could have been even better since they had led by as many as 15 at one point in the second half, but missed 9 vital free throws. JaQuay Miller led the way with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
After making history by making the 2025 Final, BAXI Ferrol are looking like a repeat might not be out of the question after racking up an eye-catching 81-62 triumph at GEAS. They torched the Italians thanks mainly to Blanca Millan and Dalayah Daniels, who shared 30 points.
Kamile Nacickaite Van Der Horst was the main architect of a convincing 87-70 win for Kibirkstis-TOKS against Magnolia Basket Campobasso. The Lithuanian veteran used all of her know-how to lead her team, dropping 22 points and leaning on valuable support from Japreace Dean with 14 points and 7 assists.
MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec watched a 20-point lead evaporate, but recovered to take a modest 83-75 success against Rutronik Stars Keltern who will fancy their chances next week. Sydney Taylor top scored with 22 points, Matea Tadic handed out 11 assists, with Catherine Reese registering a double-double of 11 points and 12 boards.
Results
Wednesday, December 10
Kibirkstis-TOKS 87-70 Magnolia Basket Campobasso GEAS 62-81 BAXI Ferrol MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec 83-75 Rutronik Stars Keltern UFAB49 67-95 Villeneuve d'Ascq LM Castors Braine 80-73 VBW Gdynia Thursday, December 11
Emlak Knout SK 78-81 Perfumerias Avenida Panathinaikos A.C. 85-76 KKZ Crvena Zvezda CS Rapid Bucuresti 78-82 CIMSA CBK Mersin KP Brno vs Kangoeroes 66-72 Basket Mechelen Zabiny Brno 51-92 LOTTO AZS UMCS Lublin Elitzur Ramla 86-93 Olympiacos SFP Besiktas BOA 106-90 Sopron Basket Sleza Wroclaw 65-62 Movistar Estudiantes Charnay Basket 63-55 BLMA Lointek Gernika Bizkaia 62-43 NKA Universitas Pecs Hozono Global Jairis 75-80 Athinaikos Qualco
FIBA