ESP - Real praise for Ros

VALENCIA (Liga Femenina) - Ros Casares coach Manolo Real believes his title-winning side deserve all the success they have had following a gruelling end to what has been a record-breaking season.

Ros Casares were crowned Spanish champions on Sunday after defeating Perfumerias Avenida 85-78 in the deciding fifth match of the Liga Femenina play-off final in Valencia.

That was the fourth trophy Ros Casares have won this season after the Copa de la Reina, the Supercup and the Copa Generalitat, while they also reached the final of the EuroLeague Women in April before losing to Spartak Moscow Region.

"It has has been three months of real madness, with a brutal workload, but these players deserve everything," said Real, whose side fought back from a 42-37 half-time deficit on Sunday to see off last year`s champions Avenida.

"The effort they have given has been tremendous and, although we did not start the game well, they have given everything on the court to obtain an historic victory."

Team captain Elisa Aguilar, who contributed 15 points in the win, said of the club`s best-ever campaign: "It has been an historic season. We were close to winning the Euroleague and now we have completed the treble (of league, cup and Supercup). It is a dream."

Ros Casares general manager Carme Lluveras believes the supporters also played a big part in the team`s success.

"This is spectacular. The fans of Valencia deserve a 10 because we have noticed their support during every game. I am very emotional." Lluveras said.

Avenida forward-center Anna Montanana also praised her side`s followers for their support in what has ended up as a season of near misses for the Salamanca side.

They have finished runners-up to Ros Casares in the Supercup, the Copa de la Reina, the Liga Femenina regular season and now the play-off finals.

Jose Ignacio Hernandez`s side also reached the eighth-finals of the Euroleague Women before losing in two close games against Lithuanian side TEO Vilnius.

"To lose always hurts but to do it with fans like these is even more painful," Montanana said after Sunday`s defeat.

"The fans are incredible, giving support the whole time, when things are going well and also when things are going against us.

"We were very close (to winning the title), we fought until the end but we have not been able to do it."

FIBA