ZARAGOZA (Spain) - The race to be crowned this season's EuroLeague Women champions has reached the penultimate stage, with two potentially blockbuster Semi-Final matchups now lying in wait.
Taking place on Friday, April 17, the Semi-Finals will see tournament favorites Fenerbahce Opet facing Spar Girona and then Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring going up against host club Casademont Zaragoza.
Another sold out Pabellon Principe Felipe with more than 10,000 fans will once again provide the perfect setting for these two eagerly anticipated Semi-Finals.
Play & Win
You can watch EuroLeague Women games through the official Final Six broadcast partners in Spain and Türkiye.
In all other territories, the games will be available on the official EuroLeague Women YouTube channel.
Fenerbahce Opet vs Spar Girona
Still the frontrunners, Fenerbahce will want to erase the memory of last year's shock Semi-Final loss to ZVVZ USK Praha. Being the team everyone expects to finish in pole position is no guarantee. Their insurance policy could be the signing of Breanna Stewart who will parachute in for this crunch game - and they hope, for Sunday's Final.
Roberto Iniguez and his history-making Spar Girona players are performing near-miracles considering the turmoil they've had with injuries and roster changes - as well as a lack of form and momentum heading to Final Six. Can the playcaller mastermind what would arguably be the biggest upset of them all by beating his former club.
Game History: While this is the first time the teams have met at the end of season showpiece, they clashed recently in the Semi-Final Play-Ins. Fenerbahce won both encounters, winning 87-69 at home and then 65-58 on the road in Spain.
Star player: Emma Meesseman has won the last three EuroLeague Women MVP awards to cement herself as a EuroLeague Women legend. Despite all the focus being on the arrival of her new teammate Breanna Stewart, don't be surprised if it is the classy Belgian who takes over and gets Fenerbahce safely into Sunday's Final.
Key matchup: With Girona resting a huge chunk of their hopes on the shoulders of the outstanding Mariam Coulibaly, it could be Iliana Rupert who is tasked with slowing her down inside. The Girona centerpiece accumulated a huge double-double against Umana Reyer Venezia in the Quarter-Finals to underline her importance, although notably, Rupert has also been on fire across the campaign too.
X-Factor: Tempo and how Girona cope with the scoring power of Fenerbahce will be vital. They can't allow it to be a 'run and gun' shootout. The lower the scoring is in this contest, the better the chances of a Girona surprise becomes. Keeping it scrappy and being disruptive is key to disrupt the Fenerbahce flow. Meanwhile Girona will have to start well because if they allow their opponents to jump out on them, there is unlikely to be any way back.
Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring vs Casademont Zaragoza
It's been an eventful but productive return to EuroLeague Women action for Galatasaray, who have caught the eye with an excellent campaign. That is despite a coaching change and some injuries which might make it difficult to finish in style. Primary playmaker and 2025 champion with Praha, Teja Oblak is likely ruled out with injury, while Awak Kuier will have to wear a protective face mask in the game.
As for Zaragoza, history continues to unfold and they might fancy their chances of extending their Cinderella story. Coming all the way from the Qualifiers, they have not only made their first ever Final Six, but now the host club has a great shot at making the Final. The home crowd will be up for this again, although one question might be whether Carla Leite is back from the nasty facial injury she sustained in the Quarter-Finals.
Game History: This is the first Final Six meeting between both clubs and they have avoided each other across the First and Second Round of the Regular Season too. In fact, this is a historic first ever encounter between both teams in the competition.
Star player: Dorka Juhasz has been sensational all season and is one of just three MVP Finalists in the voting to take this year's crown. That speaks volumes about her influence on the team. Her numbers might not always be eye-popping compared to some, but her size, skills and impact on both ends of the floor are immeasurable.
Key matchup: Marine Johannes will likely have to step up for Galatasaray even more than usual in the absence of Oblak. That could mean more responsibility on the ball and opening the offensive taps. Zaragoza could be minded to put the length of Helena Pueyo on Johannes to keep her locked down.
That would be a fascinating battle between a player who is seen as an artist, and another more of a basketball mechanic that can fix dangerous situations. X-Factor: Of course, another epic full house will be a huge factor in this game. That home support will be precious for Zaragoza. Meanwhile basketball-wise, with the composure of Oblak missing from Galatasaray, they will surely use their quick hands defensively, led by Mariona Ortiz, to pressurize the Galatasaray ball-handlers. Those potential steals and precious scores in transition could be the source of another famous victory.
FIBA