MUNICH (Germany) - Reigning champions ZVVZ USK Praha showed they might be ready to re-discover their mojo after tipping off the Second Round by ruining the perfect record of Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring.
The result also means that Fenerbahce Opet are now the only unbeaten side left in the competition after the giants blasted past Umana Reyer Venezia.
Elsewhere, Spar Girona got back to winning ways by beating Beretta Famila Schio - as did Basket Landes who won at DVTK HUNTHERM. There was also a convincing win for Tango Bourges Basket against Flammes Carolo Basket. In the only game to be played on Tuesday night, Casademont Zaragoza overturned a 20-point deficit in spectacular fashion to topple domestic rivals Valencia Basket Club and give their Final Six hopes a significant boost.
Key Storylines
Holders ZVVZ shut down Galatasaray with hardened defensive effort;
Amihere and Coulibaly shine as Girona hold off Schio to go 6-1;
Fenerbahce retain immaculate record as Gabby Williams returns to action in big win over Reyer;
Carla Leite drops 23 points to lead Zaragoza to a stunning road win in Valencia.
Weekly Highs
Efficiency: Laeticia Amihere (Spar Girona) - 25 Points: Carla Leite (Casademont Zaragoza), Laeticia Amihere (Spar Girona) - 23 Rebounds: Megan Gustafson (Fenerbahce Opet) - 13 Assists: Julie Allemand (Fenerbahce Opet) - 10 Steals: Gabby Williams (Fenerbahce Opet) - 5 Blocks: Multiple Players - 2
Champions ZVVZ turn the screw; Girona bounce back
ZVVZ USK Praha are now an improved 4-3 after taking a critical and hard-fought 64-55 victory against the previously unbeaten Galatasaray. In arguably their best win of the campaign, they shut down their opponents' offense impressively to seal victory.
Pauline Astier grabbed 4 steals to set the tone for Praha, also scoring 13 points. Galatasaray couldn't find any rhythm outside of three triples and a 4 of 5 shooting display from Derin Erdogan who scored 11 points.
Girona signed off the First Round with a first defeat of the season, but it has proven only a temporary setback after they recovered to move past Beretta Famila Schio 81-72.
The game was hanging in the balance heading down the stretch, but Girona scored 7 of the last 9 points. Laeticia Amihere was superb with 23 points and 6 boards, while Mariam Coulibaly dropped 21 points and 9 rebounds.
Gabby Williams made a splash on her return to the competition in a Fenerbahce Opet vest, starring in a commanding 96-48 win against Umana Reyer Venezia. The French forward finished with 19 points and 5 steals.
In a trademark effort, the result was never in doubt after the hosts posted a stunning 30-2 opening quarter. Julie Allemand handed out 10 assists, while Megan Gustafson went to work on the glass with 13 rebounds.
Basket Landes returned to winning ways as they eased out DVTK HUNTHERM 77-70 on the road. Although they had to see of a late comeback bid from their opponents to get the job done and improve to 5-2.
Nigerian powerhouse Murjanatu Musa brough the noise in the paint with 18 points and 6 boards, while it was rising star Leila Lacan who impressed in the backcourt with 17 points.
Meanwhile in an all-French affair, it was Tango Bourges Basket who took the honors after sinking Flammes Carolo Basket 85-57 thanks to the efforts of Tima Pouye. The guard was excellent and the difference-maker with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists.
Zaragoza are the 'Comeback Queens' after sensational 25-0 run
Trailing 61-42 early in the fourth quarter, it looked done and dusted for Valencia, but their Spanish rivals Zaragoza had other ideas. Sparked the by the excellent play of French guard Carla Leite, they set about completing a truly remarkable rescue mission to post a 25-0 run that ended up with a 70-63 victory.
Leite finished with a game-high 23 points and her team were helped by a nice 4 of 4 scoring cameo from Veronika Vorackova when it mattered most. It was also another sensational advert for the competition and a result that sees Zaragoza moving to the same 4-3 record as a shocked Valencia.
Results
Wednesday, December 10
Fenerbahce Opet 96-48 Umana Reyer Venezia DVTK HUNTHERM 70-77 Basket Landes ZVVZ USK Praha 64-55 Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring Spar Girona 81-72 Beretta Famila Schio Tango Bourges Basket 85-57 Flammes Carolo Basket
Tuesday, December 9
Valencia Basket Club 63-70 Casademont Zaragoza
FIBA