MUNICH (Germany) - Basket Landes and Spar Girona will play at the EuroLeague Women showpiece for the very first time after both clubs claimed the wins they needed to secure their respective spots in the Semi-Final Play-Ins.
On a memorable night, Landes took a super road win at Valencia Basket Club, while Girona blasted past Flammes Carolo Basket.
Meanwhile, the last remaining matchup of Gameday 11 will take place between Tango Bourges Basket and Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring on Thursday January 29.
Key Storylines
Landes benefit from a super show from Murjanatu Musa to beat Valencia and make Final Six;
Mariam Coulibaly returns from injury to fuel Girona into SF Play-Ins ;
Praha elevate their chances of advancing by taking down Schio as Carleton lights it up again;
Zaragoza almost stun Fenerbahce as they come back from 14 down to threaten victory;
Reyer blow a big lead at DVTK but hang on for essential win to keep their hopes alive.
Weekly Highs
Efficiency: Murjanatu Musa (Basket Landes) - 28 Points: Murjanatu Musa (Basket Landes) - 26 Rebounds: Kaila Charles (Umana Reyer Venezia) - 10 Assists: Maite Cazorla (ZVVZ USK Praha) - 8 Steals: Gabby Williams (Fenerbahce Opet) - 6 Blocks: Lorela Cubaj (Umana Reyer Venezia) - 2
Musa shows out in landmark Landes win; Girona get it done in style
Landes are celebrating another fabulous victory and a spot in the Semi-Final Play-Ins as they came out on top 76-72 in a pulsating encounter at Valencia. It was built on a powerful display from Murjanatu Musa who stepped off court having posted a stunning 26 points and 9 rebounds for the French side.
Landes continue to punch above their weight and hit new heights with their victory - one that not only required the towering contribution from Musa, but also Leila Lacan continuing to shine. The guard excelled with 21 points as Landes finished the game on fire with a decisive 27-18 last quarter.
Buoyed by having December MVP Mariam Coulibaly back on board after her recent injury, Girona raced out of the blocks against Carolo and ended up storming to a one-sided 89-58 triumph.
Celebrating booking their first ever appearance at the season finale, Coulibaly registered 20 points, while frontcourt partner Chloe Bibby also went to work and came up with a productive 21 points and 7 rebounds.
Praha packed an early punch in their crunch meeting with Schio and once they raced into an early lead they never had cause to look back. Shrugging off the devastating news of star center Brionna Jones sustaining an injury, they ralled and produced one of their best displays of the campaign to claim a precious 78-66 success.
Canadian star Bridget Carleton found her range as usual and hit a flurry of triples on her way to a team-high 19 points, with playmaker Pauline Astier pulling the strings nicely alongside her with 12 points and 7 assists. But it was a great team performance with a string of classy cameos. Jessica Shepard replied with 20 points for Schio.
Zaragoza came agonizingly close to a major upset after seeing two last-gasp shots rim out that would have given them a remarkable victory in Istanbul against Fenerbahce. However the home team scraped over the line 69-67 as Emma Meesseman fittingly scored in the closing seconds what proved to be the game-winning basket.
The Belgian was the standout for Fenerbahce with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, while Gabby Williams played another pivotal role with 15 points, 7 rebounds, 6 steals and 4 assists. Zaragoza did well to come roaring back into contention having trailed by 14 points. The now have a 6-5 record with DVTK at home next up.
Reyer had to survive an incredible comeback from DVTK and breathed a huge sigh of relief when they watched their opponents also miss a last second opportunity to take the win. Instead, they survived and came away with a 71-69 road success - blowing a huge 17-point advantage.
Having seen their advantage wiped out, a score by Ivana Dojkic with just seconds to spare, settled the outcome. Kaila Charles did the business for the now 6-5 visitors after contributing a double-double of 15 points and 10 boards. Reka Lelik inspired the home team with a fine 21 points in defeat.
Results
Wednesday, January 28
Fenerbahce Opet 69-67 Casademont Zaragoza DVTK HUNTHERM 69-71 Umana Reyer Venezia ZVVZ USK Praha 78-66 Beretta Famila Schio Valencia Basket Club 72-76 Basket Landes Spar Girona 89-58 Flammes Carolo Basket
Thursday, January 29 Tango Bourges Basket vs Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring
FIBA