MUNICH (Germany) - Perfumerias Avenida and ZKK Crvena Zvezda both highlighted while they are being touted as serious frontrunners in the race for this season's silverware after they opened up the campaign with impressive wins on the road. There was also a phenomenal individual effort from Italian young gun Emma Giacchetti who showed out with some crazy shooting and defensive work for Magnolia Basket Campobasso.
Key Storylines
Khadijiah Cave and Shavonte Zellous combine to carry Avenida past Panathinaikos;
Fantastic Dulcy Fankam drops huge double-double for Crvena Zvezda as they take down Riga;
18-year-old Italian Emma Giacchetti goes 11 of 12 from the floor and grabs super 8 steals ;
Gorzow win a thrilling clash with Besiktas.
Weekly Highs
Efficiency
Astou Ndour (Emlak Konut SK) - 38
Points
Astou Ndour (Emlak Konut SK) - 32
Rebounds
Catherine Reese (MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec) - 15
Assists
Heleen Nauwelaers (Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen) - 10
Steals
Emma Giachetti (Magnolia Basket Campobasso) - 8
Blocks
Multiple Players - 3
Favorites take flight early; Giacchetti shows potential
Perfumerias Avenida wasted little time in showing their intention of challenging for this year's title as they came away from Athens with a 92-73 triumph at Panathinaikos A.C. The hosts had no answer to the class and experience of Shavonte Zellous who netted 24 points, with Khadijiah Cave adding 22 points, 9 boards and 4 steals.
Crvena Zvezda had to work hard to despatch TTT Riga 82-66. A blistering third quarter was pivotal and so was Cameroon national team center, Dulcy Fankam who came alive with a tremendous double-double. She proved unstoppable in the paint and stepped off court with 23 points, 14 rebounds, 5 steals, 4 assists and 3 blocks.
Emma Giacchetti has barely turned a page in her pro-career, but gave a glimpse into her potential with a brilliant effort for Magnolia Basket Campobasso as they swept aside WBC Tresnjevka Dinamo LTD 96-44. The teenager came up with a stellar 11 of 12 shooting display en-route to 26 points and also grabbed an incredible 8 steals.
One of the most compelling games of the night came in Poland where KSSSE ENEA AZS AJP Gorzow slipped past Besiktas BOA 87-82 in a shootout. Ashley Ann Owusu fired a game-high 28 points, Courtney Hurt had 21 points and 10 rebounds and Steph Reid harvested 20 points. Meanwhile Pelin Bilgic starred with 25 points in defeat.
FIBA