MUNICH (Germany) - There were celebrations for Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring and Umana Reyer Venezia on Tuesday night as both clubs emerged from Play-In series deciders to take another big step forward in their impressive campaigns.
After two absorbing matchups previously, Galatasaray finally dominated Basket Landes in the Semi-Final Play-Ins as they reached the last four of the competition for the first time since 2015.
Meanwhile, Reyer snatched the last available ticket for this year's Final Six as they held off Italian rivals Beretta Famila Schio in the Quarter-Finals Play-Ins to make the season showpiece for the very first time.
Key Storylines
One-two punch of Kuier and Oblak guarantees Galatasaray's best season in more than a decade;
Last minute surge sends fans wild in Venice as Reyer deliver in crunch time with super late show
Weekly Highs
Efficiency: Jessica Shepard (Beretta Famila Schio) - 22 Points: Awak Kuier (Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring) - 17 Rebounds: Jessica Shepard (Beretta Famila Schio) - 13 Assists: Mariella Santucci (Umana Reyer Venezia) - 8 Steals: Multiple players - 3 Blocks: Dorka Juhasz (Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring) - 3
Go-time for title chasing Galatasaray after 11 year drought
The pressure was on Galatasaray to finish the job on their home floor against Landes and they met the test in convincing fashion with a 67-51 victory. After a tight opening, the hosts flicked the switch either side of half-time and a devastating 25-2 run put them well out of sight and into the Semi-Finals for the first time in 11 years.
With 2025 EuroLeague Women champion Teja Oblak pulling the strings and finishing with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, it was Awak Kuier who shone under the basket.
The Finland national team center impressed with 17 points and 7 boards, while Marine Johannes stuffed the highlights reel with some trademark jaw-dropping plays.
Home crowd roar Reyer to new heights on a roller-coaster night
There was a party atmosphere as the final buzzer sounded and confirmed Reyer had wrapped up a memorable 62-51 triumph against Schio to clinch their maiden Final Six ticket. The outpouring of joy was perhaps matched by a palpable sense of relief in a brilliant and intense series against their rivals that swung both ways throughout.
Having blown a substantial lead and locked at 50-50, it looked like the momentum was with the visitors. However with the outcome in the balance, a brilliant 'and-1' play by Lorela Cubaj sparked Reyer with 90 seconds left and Ivana Dojkic picked up the baton with a couple of big scores as they closed the game with 12 of the last 13 points.
Dojkic top scored with 15 points, while Cubaj grabbed 10 boards. There was also a cameo from Mariella Santucci who dished out 8 dimes, while Kaila Charles posted an all-action 12 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals. Jessica Shepard was unfortunate to be on the losing team with 16 points and 13 boards for Schio.
Results
Tuesday, March 3 Umana Reyer Venezia 62-51 Beretta Famila Schio (Reyer win series 2-1) Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring 67-51 Basket Landes (Galatasaray win series 2-1)
FIBA