EuroCup Women - Week 3 Review
VOLOGDA (EuroCup Women) – Chevakata head coach Dmitry Donskov is a relieved man after his side were one of many to emerge from close shaves in the most dramatic week of the EuroCup Women season so far
MUNICH (EuroCup Women) - Chevakata head coach Dmitry Donskov is a relieved man after his side were one of many to emerge from close shaves in what was the most dramatic week of the EuroCup Women season so far.
Recently appointed assistant of the Russia senior national team and having held the reins for his country at the FIBA U19 Women’s World Championship in Chekhov, an eventful year is continuing for Donksov.
His team secured an eye-popping turnaround in their game against the previously unbeaten Edirnespor, with an outstanding 20-2 final period facilitating a 65-62 win as Britney Jones and Firuza Bekmetova shared 32 points.
It left the play-caller breathing a sigh of relief .
"It was a very nervous game, but there was super support from the fans," he stated.
"Our opponents had a very good percentage of three-point shots in the first half of the game, but then we changed our defence and when Stefanie Dolson got five fouls, it gave us an advantage.
"In the last quarter our shots were good and we made them. We can play better, but I am just happy that we won," added Donskov.
The other Group C game was also close, as Belarusian forward Maryia Papova returned to her homeland to sink 16 points for victorious Enisey Krasnoyarsk, who took a 53-50 win against Tsmoki Minsk.
It is turning out to be a super return to EuroCup Women for TTT Riga after they retained their flawless record with a 71-58 win against WBC Dynamo Moscow to take control of Group B. Udominate Basket's wait for a win goes on after they were well beaten by Orduspor 85-68 as D'Andra Moss tallied 20 points.
Arguably the biggest win of the week was yet another historic one as Swiss outfit Elfic Fribourg celebrated their first ever victory. They won a nail-biter 65-64 at PEAC-Pecs after Jazmine Davis and Kristina Santiago both scored 21 points. Also in Group F, Basket Landes overcome Basketball Nymburk 62-59 to maintain their perfect start.
In Group D, there was more joy for Dunav 8806 Ruse who having went two seasons without a single success, registered a second win in eight days with a convincing 80-61 triumph against Energia Ivanovo - thanks mainly to a breath-taking 26 points and 23 rebounds from Gennifer Brandon. Istanbul Universitesi escaped from Lulea BBK with an 86-77 victory to take top spot.
Ladda upp inför kvällens match med highlights från onsdagens #EuroCupWomen match mot Istanbul: https://t.co/KFxJaCZQcb
— Luleå Basket (@LuleaBasket) November 13, 2015
Emma Meesseman scored four points inside the final 11 seconds as Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje clung on for an important 70-68 Group A win at Piestanske Cajky. It capped a special night for Meesseman, who had 24 points and 13 rebounds. Cappie Pondexter also excelled and fired 30 points for Besiktas as they made light work of domestic rivals Adana Aski - prevailing 87-70.
#CappiePondexter Adana ASKİ maçında attığı 30 sayıyla galibiyetin mimarlarından oldu. #Beşiktaş @cappa23 pic.twitter.com/VAL5tFlILj
— Beşiktaş JK Basket (@BJK_Basketbol) November 12, 2015
Meanwhile there was intense drama for TSV 1880 Wasserburg, who again played out an overtime game. This time they came out with a win to prevail 73-68 against Reyer Venezia. Pinkk Pecsi 424 are without a win in Group E following an 88-57 reverse against Nantes Reze.
In Group G, Aluinvent Miskolc won the battle of the two unbeaten teams as they secured a 60-53 success at Dike Napoli and Valosun KP Brno picked up their first win of the campaign, 72-49 at the expense of Orange Blizzards who are yet to find a first victory.
Lastly in Group H, Sportiva Azores Airlines that continue to amaze defeating Namur 68-59 behind 21 points from Milica Ivanovic and an outstanding 14 points, 16 rebounds and six assists from Ashley Bruner. And, UFAB 49 benefited from a marvellous 25-point performance from Elisabeth Egnell in a 70-53 triumph over Uni Gyor.
FIBA