MUNICH (Germany) - Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring celebrated an entertaining comeback success against Beretta Famila Schio as both clubs served up a Week 1 blockbuster in Istanbul.
The contest lived up to the hype and there was also much excitement for home supporters of Umana Reyer Venezia as they collected what could be a priceless victory against CIMSA CBK Mersin.
Fenerbahce Opet showed their incredible depth by dismantling DVTK HUNTHERM, while 24 hours earlier there was a super clash between Landes and Zaragoza - with the latter coming out on top.
Key Storylines
Galatasaray reverse double-digit defict to squeeze past Schio in box-office matchup;
Reyer go from Qualifiers to rolling past the much fancied Mersin;
DVTK feel the force of a rampant and determined Fenerbahce;
Helena Pueyo puts on a show to help Zaragoza sneak past Landes;
Flammes Basket Carolo stun Sopron with huge road win after making it rain.
Weekly Highs
Efficiency: Kayla Alexander (Valencia Basket Club) - 30 Points: Eleanna Christinaki (Olympiacos SFP) - 26 Rebounds: Kaila Charles (Umana Reyer Venezia) - 11 Assists: Julie Allemand (Fenerbahce Opet) - 8 Steals: Coline Franchelin (Flammes Carolo Basket) - 5 Blocks: Multiple Players - 2
Go-time for Galatasaray; Reyer surprise Mersin
Galatasaray had to dig deep to outlast Beretta Famila Schio 73-70. Aftter a shaky first-half, Galatasaray clicked and got it done down the stretch.
Teja Oblak's leadership was priceless as she added 13 points and 5 assists, with backcourt partner Kamiah Small top-scoring with 14 points. Maria Conde stood out for Schio with 17 points.
Having had to come through the Qualifiers, Umana Reyer Venezia made people sit up and take notice with a 72-62 home win against last year's Finalists CIMSA CBK Mersin.
The Italians turnned up the dial defensively in the last quarter to hold their opponents to just 8 points and it was vital. As was 15 points and 11 boards from Kaila Charles.
Eager to recover the crown they relinquished back in April, Fenerbahce showed their teeth from the first jump ball with a one-sided 89-58 win at DVTK HUNTHERM. Boasting 11 different scorers, the depth was in evidence as Iliana Rupert caught the eye with a smart 16 points, while Julie Allemand handed out 8 assists from the backcourt.
Pueyo shines for Zaragoza; Flammes too hot to handle
There was road joy for Casademont Zaragoza who had their nerves shredded but still came out on top with a 73-70 success at Basket Landes. Ahead by as many as 16 points in the contest, the visitors watched their commanding lead evaporate and that set up an absorbing last few minutes.
It was consecutive triples from Helena Pueyo and Veronika Vorackova with less than 90 seconds to spare that sealed the deal, the former starring with 23 points.
Flammes Carolo Basket caught fire from long-range to sink Sopron Basket in am 82-54 road win. They made 12 triples and were led by 15 points from Elizabeth Dixon, with both Maia Hirsch and Noemie Brochant netting 14 points. Sopron couldn't handle the slick ball movement of the visitors who took control early and didn't look back.
Reigning champions ZVVZ USK Praha tipped off their title defense in style as they put their foot on the gas in the second-half at Tango Bourges Basket. That put them on the road to a 77-57 victory at Le Prado, with the holders led by captain Valeriane Ayayi who fired 21 points.
Valencia Basket Club made light work of moving past Olympiacos SFP 97-74 as they made a statement of intent. The Spanish side were propelled by Kayla Alexander who did great work in the paint with 23 points and 10 boards, while Hind Ben Abdelkader impressed with 18 points. Eleanna Christinaki accrued a game-high 26 points in defeat.
Finally, Spar Girona came racing out of the blocks against VBW Gdynia and ended up taking a convincing 86-53 win. While their Polish opponents improved after the break, Girona eased to victory behind 14 points from Lithuanian young gun Juste Jocyte, 15 points and 7 assists from Klara Holm, plus 22 points and 8 rebounds from Mariam Coulibaly.
Results
Thursday, October 9
DVTK HUNTHERM 58-89 Fenerbahce Opet Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring 73-70 Beretta Famila Schio Umana Reyer Venezia 72-62 CIMSA CBK Mersin
Wednesday, October 8
Olympiacos SFP 74-97 Valencia Basket Club Sopron Basket 54-82 Flammes Carolo Basket Basket Landes 70-73 Casademont Zaragoza Spar Girona 86-53 VBW Gdynia Tango Bourges Basket 77-57 ZVVZ USK Praha
FIBA