ZARAGOZA (Spain) - It's already been one of the most dramatic and absorbing roller-coaster rides in EuroLeague Women history, but don't back against 'Marea Roja' producing even more magic on their Final Six debut.
The momentum and impact of Casademont Zaragoza on this famous competition has already been compelling.
Only a few seasons into their EuroLeague Women adventure, they are already midway through a three-year agreement to host the season showpiece.
Meanwhile, their amazing fans have turned heads by attending in eye-popping numbers and regularly creating a truly special atmosphere.
Having painfully missed out on Final Six last season, Zaragoza will take to their home court at the prestigious event for the very first time when they go up against Basket Landes in the Quarter-Finals.
It will provide another exciting opportunity for 'Marea Roja' to showcase the deep affection and connection that exists between the team and the fans - a potent driving force behind reaching this historical moment.
Their journey together has been a remarkable story of a never-say-die spirit. One that has required the team to relentlessly show they have the collective heart of a lion - perfectly matching the club's logo emblazoned on their chest.
The great escape
Not only missing out on the main event last year and seeing their hopes evaporate, it felt like salt being rubbed into the wounds when required to navigate the Qualifiers just to make the 2025-26 Regular Season.
Placing a significant obstacle on the starting line, it quickly morphed into something resembling more of a mountain when the wheels came crashing off in an 81-60 first leg loss at Zabiny Brno.
Reality was suddenly biting again and it felt like their Final Six chances were comprehensively shredded before they even had time to dream.
Yet riding on an unstoppable tide of hope, heart and energy, all created from another huge home crowd packed inside Pabellon Principe Felipe, the team found inspiration and came back from the dead in the second leg.
On an unforgettable night, they completed a staggering rescue mission with an 82-59 victory to squeeze into the Regular Season. The relief was palpable and etched on the face of head coach Carlos Cantero, while the celebrations all around the playcaller said it all.
They had escaped, survived and were destined to fight another day.
It was a result founded on a majestic contribution from inspirational leader Mariona Ortiz, the veteran star encapsulating the qualities of 'Marea Roja' - as does her teammate, Helena Pueyo. The former added 26 points and 8 assists, with Pueyo producing 17 points and 6 steals to lead the unlikely resurrection.
But as they would soon prove, Zaragoza is not a team fuelled only by headline performances. It is built on an unbreakable collective bond and spirit - one that would see them dodge many more EuroLeague Women bullets in subsequent months.
An epic Regular Season ride
Having barely had the chance to draw breath, it was out of the frying pan and into the fire for Zaragoza during the First Round. Landing in a 'Group of Death' with CIMSA CBK Mersin, Basket Landes and Umana Reyer Venezia, there was little between the teams on paper.
After a string of predictably tight games against their opponents, the pressure was cranked up to maximum when they faced Mersin on the last night, knowing only a win would be enough.
The response was phenomenal. They stormed to an 88-58 victory to seal a place in the Second Round, with their eventual 3-3 record only just proving enough to see them safely advance.
But things would not get any easier with powerhouse Fenerbahce Opet and arch rivals Valencia Basket Club lying in wait. Even if DVTK HUNTHERM presented an opportunity, to most observers it looked like it would be another struggle, perhaps one mountain too far.
But climbing mountains is exactly what 'Marea Roja' does.
They subsequently completed an amazing Second Round win double over Valencia, including EuroLeague Women Young Player of the Year frontrunner, Carla Leite lighting it up with a 24-point performance on the road to seal the deal.
Then, there was a sense of deja vu when they headed into the last game needing to win - as had been the case in the Qualifiers and First Round. Once again they delivered in style, cruising past DVTK 66-40 and into the Quarter-Final Play-Ins.
History against the holders
After a mammoth effort through the different stages of the competition, Zaragoza were still not there. Paired against reigning champions ZVVZ USK Praha, they didn't even have home advantage in the three game series.
The stakes felt unprecedented. It was either a delicious and joyous slice of history, or another unbearable Final Six ticket falling agonizingly out of their grasp.
Under such pressure, many might have crumbled. For 'Marea Roja' it meant another magical moment could be seized. And, they certainly did that - winning 82-71 in the Czech capital as their unsung heroes and anchors in the paint, Nadia Fingall and Merritt Hempe both came up big.
Could they finish the job? Just one more win was needed.
The fans came out in record-breaking numbers to fulfil their role as always. A magnificent 9,215 were in attendance - the highest the club had ever recorded for a EuroLeague Women game and the third best in competition history.
The players responded by doing the business on the court to take a famous 73-66 win to eliminate the holders and secure the most precious of Final Six places.
Most memorably, it came with no headline performances, but was a gutsy team effort full of heart and grit - with 10 different players all on the scoresheet.
And, what about the party afterwards? Well, it was quite something.
A five-star, Final Six fiesta?
With a sold out Final Six incoming, it's shaping up to be a five star event and if Zaragoza take another step by winning their Quarter-Final tie, we're getting treated to another fantastic five star fiesta.
After all, has any other team ever had to go through quite as much just to make the season ending show?
The journey didn't end after the Qualifiers, the First Round, Second Round - or the Quarter-Final Play-Ins. But, it will end at the Final Six - that's for certain.
Having come so far, can 'Marea Roja' really squeeze out last bit of magic and make it a first Final Six to remember?
Let us know what you think by casting your vote in our fan poll.
FIBA