Spanish smiles: Zaragoza win on debut, as Avenida surprise Cukurova

MUNICH (Germany) - The curtain was raised on the new EuroLeague Women Regular Season on Wednesday night and it was one to remember for first-timers Casademont Zaragoza.

The Spanish side celebrated a debut victory in front of their home fans as they stormed their way past ACS Sepsi-SIC 85-57. The result never looked in doubt after a truly blistering start by Zaragoza who jumped out on their Romanian opponents with a dazzling 29-17 start to the contest.

Perhaps most satisfying was that it was a true team performance that sealed the deal. No fewer than five players logging double-digits in points, led by 14 points from Tanaya Atkinson. Playmaker Mariona Ortiz caught the eye with 7 assists and 4 steals.

Meanwhile Perfumerias Avenida clung on for a fabulous 82-77 success on their travels as they went up against their former head coach Roberto Iniguez. They held off a late fightback from last season's Finalists, Cukurova Basketbol Mersin to get the job done.

A 26-16 opening quarter gave the visitors cause for confidence and led by Mariella Fasoula who claimed a tidy haul of 20 points and 7 rebounds, plus 18 points from guard Bria Hartley on her return to the competition. Melis Gulcan impressed in defeat with 23 points.

Valencia Basket Club were unable to make it a clean sweep for Spanish teams after Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding wasted little time in reaffirming their role as favorites to retain their crown. They soared to a 96-66 win as they continued much of the good work from their SuperCup Women success last week. They were again driven by a fine effort from Napheesa Collier who added 17 points, 6 boards and 4 steals.

There was also a nice contribution from Kayla McBride too , with the guard netting 16 points, as well as adding 6 rebounds and 6 assists, Fenerbahce dished up 31 assists and shot the lights out with 10 scores from long-range. 

The most exciting action of the night came in France where Villeneuve d'Ascq claimed a dramatic 93-92 overtime victory against Serco UNI Gyor. In a roller-coaster encounter, the home team came had trailed by double-figures at one stage, but managed to haul themselves back into contention and forced the extra period with a triple from Kennedy Burke.

She was on fire and finished with 29 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists as Villeneuve got it done in overtime - although Gyor did have the chance to force another five minutes with the last possession. Kristine Anigwe was terrific for them with 27 points and 16 boards.

There was better luck for another Hungarian club who travelled to France as DVTK Hun-Therm continued their good work from the Qualifiers to complete a 67-57 triumph at LDLC ASVEL Feminin.

It was a brilliant showing on the glass that proved to be a big difference-maker, with the visitors dominating 46-25. Their win was paced by 14 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals from Reka Lelik.

 Elsewhere, a stunning last quarter and a debut to remember for Ezi Magbegor were at the headlines from the Czech capital as ZVVZ USK Praha outscored Basket Landes 27-9 in the final period to coast their way to an 85-63 triumph.

Australian center Magbegor lit it up with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while teammate Valeriane Vukosavljevic also had a double-double output with 17 points and 10 boards. However, the hosts lost Teja Oblak to a worrying ankle injury during the contest. Luisa Geiselsoder produced on her first night of EuroLeague Women action with 22 points and 9 rebounds for Landes.

There was success for both Italian clubs as Beretta Famila Schio and Virtus Segafredo Bologna both claimed victories. The former went to work to dispatch rookies Polski Cukier AZS UMCS Lublin 70-50 as Arella Guirantes debuted for Schio with 13 points and 6 rebounds as the home side won every quarter of the match.

Virtus were made to work hard for periods against KGHM BC Polkowice but came out on top 90-69 after snapping the game open with a 31-19 third quarter. Cecilia Zanadalasini excelled with 23 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, while backcourt partner Ivana Dojkic added 19 points, 4 assists and 4 steals.

FIBA