MUNICH (Germany) - Perfumerias Avenida and KGHM BC Polkowice are celebrating reaching the next phase of EuroLeague Women after the former picked up the Gameday 6 win they needed to advance and the latter prospered from a loss for Group C rivals Villeneuve to progress. Perfumerias Avenida found their best form during the fourth quarter to outlast DVTK HUNTHERM who had been dreaming of moving on themselves. Meanwhile, after a heavy loss to Fenerbahce Opet, it was a case of sit and wait for Polkowice and hope for a Villeneuve d'Ascq defeat at Casademont Zaragoza. For long periods it looked like they might crash out, but a late surge from Zaragoza created a victory that helped Polkowice make it through.
Key Storylines
Avenida get the party started in Salamanca by beating DVTK to make Second Round;
Polkowice crash at Fenerbahce but a favor from Zaragoza sends them to the next stage;
Alba Torrens passes the 2,000 point landmark in the competition;
Fenerbahce Opet, CBK Mersin, Valencia Basket Club and Basket Landes finish top of each group.
Weekly Highs
Efficiency: Emma Meesseman (Fenerbahce Opet) - 28 Points: Emma Cannon (KGHM BC Polkowice) - 23 Rebounds: Haley Peters (Villeneuve d'Ascq LM) - 14 Assists: Emma Meesseman (Fenerbahce Opet) - 9 Steals: Emma Meesseman (Fenerbahce Opet) - 4 Blocks: Natasha Howard (CBK Mersin) - 3
Celebrations sparked in Salamanca; party time for Polkowice
It was a nervous night at Pabellon Wurzburg but it turned out just fine in the end for Avenida and their jubilant fans as they edged out DVTK HUNTHERM 67-55 in the Game of the Week.
It was more or less a straight shootout for a Second Round ticket, with DVTK searching for the 5-point win they needed to progress. But finding a higher gear in the last period, it was Avenida who rode into the next phase - helped by a team-high 17 points from Arica Carter and a super 16 points from shining young gun Iyana Martin Carrion.
Polkowice knew a surprise victory at Fenerbahce would put them through and it was not out of the question having came within a basket of the upset in the first meeting.
This time the reigning champions put them ruthlessly to the sword off the back of a typically class showing from Emma Meesseman. The Belgian standout led the way in a 90-61 triumph after flirting with a triple-double of 13 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds to keep the Istanbul juggernauts unbeaten.
There was still hope for Polkowice, as all eyes turned to Spain where they needed Casademont Zaragoza to beat Villeneuve d'Ascq LM. The finger nails of staff and players will have been well and truly chewed, since Villeneuve looked like taking the ticket for the most part. That was until Zaragoza came alive in the last quarter to dig out a 68-59 success.
Elsewhere on Wednesday night, ZVVZ USK Praha caught the eye as Spanish national team colleague Maria Conde and Maite Cazorla inspired a 100-85 victory against Umana Reyer Venezia. Conde claimed 18 points, 7 assists and 4 steals, with Cazorla contributing 18 points, 6 assists and 4 boards.
There were also headlines made by a Spanish player in the shape of Alba Torrens who passed the outstanding 2,000 points landmark in the competition. She dropped 13 in an 86-74 win for Valencia Basket Club at Uni Gyor. Meanwhile, as well as Fenerbahce being flawless, the only other club with a perfect record is CBK Mersin after they went 6-0 by cruising past Olympiacos 87-58. Basket Landes also made people sit up and take notice as they topped Group D with a 68-59 triumph against Beretta Famila Schio as Sixtine Macquet and Luisa Geiselsoder shared 24 points.
Results
Wednesday November, 27
Zabiny Brno 65-85 Tango Bourges Basket CBK Mersin 87-58 Olympiacos Fenerbahce Opet 90-61 KGHM BC Uni Gyor 74-86 Valencia Basket Club ZVVZ USK Praha 100-85 Umana Reyer Venezia Basket Landes 68-59 Beretta Famila Schio Casademont Zaragoza 68-59 Villeneuve d'Ascq LM Perfumerias Avenida 67-55 DVTK HUNTHERM
FIBA