RUS - UMMC land prestigious SuperCup Women title

EKATERINBURG - There was a touch of déjà vu inside the DIVS Arena in Ekaterinburg as host club UMMC returned to the top of the podium by claiming the FIBA Europe SuperCup Women title, seven months after being crowned EuroLeague Women champions on the same floor.

With the competition returning after a year's absence, Sandrine Gruda and Deanna Nolan were the main architects of a 72-63 success against domestic rivals and EuroCup Women holders Dynamo Moscow.

It was a first outing in the competition for UMMC and the Russian heavyweights took the prestigious trophy at the first time of asking, to add one last piece of silverware to their stunning haul for the current calendar year.

French ace Gruda is likely to be one of the main stars at next year's FIBA World Championship for Women in Turkey and she showed her qualities by finishing with 12 points and seven rebounds, whilst Nolan top scored with 15 points to delight the big home crowd.

There was also a pivotal cameo for legendary Belgian star Ann Wauters - the only new face at UMMC this season. She never missed a shot on a perfect shooting night, to finish with eight points.

Whilst Diana Taurasi did not suit up for UMMC with Sue Bird and Candace Parker being given the nod, fellow USA stars Lindsay Whalen and Tina Charles were missing for Dynamo, therefore rendering them short-handed and as very much the underdogs in the contest.

They were also lacking some valued experience with Russian national team duo Ilona Korstin and Svetlana Abrosimova now both retired from the sport, having helped Dynamo to their thrilling EuroCup Women success at Kayseri Kaski spor last season.

Los Angeles Sparks guard Kristi Toliver did her best to propel the visitors to a surprise victory by scoring an impressive 21 points, whilst Russian national team combo Nadezhda Grishaeva and Tatiana Vidmer combined for 25 points and 22 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to avoid defeat.

Dynamo had managed to cling to their feint hope of a shock for most of the first-half, but a blistering 15-2 run either side of the interval put UMMC into the ascendency.

Despite the gap being subsequently trimmed to seven points, the hosts never looked in any serious danger of blowing their advantage.

UMMC will have the chance to win three major European titles in a row on their home court when they once again host EuroLeague Women Final Eight - an event which is pencilled in for April 2014.

The clubs tip off the defence of their EuroLeague Women and EuroCup Women titles respectively next week.

FIBA