MUNICH (Germany) - It was party time at the Pabellon Principe Felipe as hometown favorites Casademont Zaragoza eliminated holders ZVVZ USK Praha in the Quarter-Finals Play-Ins to cement their place at this year's Final Six.
Fenerbahce Opet also got the job done in the second matchup of their three game series against Spar Girona in the Semi-Finals Play-Ins as they eased their way into the last four.
The other direct place in the Semi-Finals will need a third and decisive Play-Ins game on Tuesday after Basket Landes came out on top in another intense and edge of the seat game against Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring.
Finally, there was a contrast in emotions between Italian duo Umana Reyer Venezia and Beretta Famila Schio as the former celebrated a road win in the Quarter-Finals Play-Ins to bring the deciding game back to their home floor.
Key Storylines
Amazing 9,215 fans watch Zaragoza make history on their home floor;
One-two punch of Iliana Rupert and Kayla McBride power Fenerbahce into the last four;
Another classic looms as Landes hold off a late Galatasaray surge to seal a decisive game three;
Reyer extract revenge for home loss against Schio as Holmes puts their rivals to the sword.
Weekly Highs
Efficiency: Murjanatu Musa (Basket Landes) - 30 Points: Valeriane Ayayi (ZVVZ USK Praha) - 23 Rebounds: Jessica Shepard (Beretta Famila Schio) - 14 Assists: Multiple Players - 7 Steals: Mariona Ortiz (Casademont Zaragoza) - 5 Blocks: Multiple Players - 1
Zaragoza reach exciting new heights; no stopping favorites Fenerbahce
A maiden appearance at the Final Six now beckons for Zaragoza after they reached the season showpiece for the very first time thanks to their vibrant 73-66 success against defending champions, ZVVZ USK Praha. Having won in the Czech capital during the first meeting, the Spanish club took their chance to seal the deal on home soil.
Backed by their biggest ever crowd in the competition and third highest of all-time in EuroLeague Women, they made a statement from the outset. They used their stifling defense to not give any control to the holders and had the usual exemplary leadership from Mariona Ortiz with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals to get them over the line.
Valeriane Ayayi signed off with 23 points on the same court as Praha won the silverware last year.
Fenerbahce landed in the Semi-Finals after pulling clear in the latter stages at Girona; eventually finishing off their opponents with a 65-58 victory. The hosts had pushed the Istanbul juggernauts hard for much of the contest in a bid to force a third and deciding game, but the depth and quality of Fenerbahce shone through in crunch time.
They also had exceptional performers in Iliana Rupert and Kayla McBride, who both brought the noise when their team needed it most. The former was just one rebound short of a double-double after racking up 21 points, while McBride weighed in with 17 points.
Mariam Coulibaly impressed for Girona with 19 points and 9 boards.
The tension was almost unbearable for Landes who eventually claimed a gripping 75-70 win against Galatasaray, although it was only after they almost blew a 23-point lead. Outstanding either side of the half-time break, there looked to be only one winner as the home side used their intensity, teamwork and defense to unsettle the visitors.
Running the floor well and forcing Galatasaray into 23 turnovers, Landes were ruthless in punishing those errors - and they needed that source of joy as their opponents came roaring back to set up a tense conclusion. But Landes held firm and were led by another top drawer effort from Murjantu Musa who amassed 20 points and 9 rebounds.
Losing in agonizing fashion in front of their own supporters in game one, Reyer are now able to potentially make amends after they got a fantastic 79-72 triumph at Schio. They will head into a potentially stunning decider thanks mainly to the work of Joyner Holmes.
The forward was a difference-maker and emerged with 19 points and 7 rebounds, while Reyer also did an amazing job on the glass to out-rebound Schio 42-30 and that was vital. The defeat was tough to take for Jessica Shepard who had a massive 19 points and 14 rebounds.
Results
Wednesday, February 25
Spar Girona 58-65 Fenerbahce Opet (Fenerbahce win series 2-0) Casademont Zaragoza 73-66 ZVVZ USK Praha (Zaragoza win series 2-0) Beretta Famila Schio 72-79 Umana Reyer Venezia (series tied at 1-1) Basket Landes 75-70 Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring (series tied at 1-1)
FIBA