EuroLeague Women Week 4 social media spotlight and reaction
MUNICH (EuroLeague Women) - We look back on a typically entertaining week of EuroLeague Women action to see how it played out on social media and get the reaction of some of those involved.
MUNICH (EuroLeague Women) - We look back on a typically entertaining week of EuroLeague Women action to see how it played out on social media and get the reaction of some of those involved.
A dramatic start to the season continued into the fourth week of the campaign with a number of tight victories and thrilling endings.
Gintare Petronyte was a tower of strength for Galatasaray as they won three games in a row, dodging a bullet, 71-72, at Castors Braine.
"It's an amazing win for us. We stayed together as a group, focused and got the win," said the Lithuanian center, who finished with 29 points and 11 boards.
The other half of Istanbul was also happy as Fenerbahce collected a memorable 73-71 triumph at UMMC Ekaterinburg thanks to a great team effort. They were led by Ana Dabovic, although while she poured in a team high 21 points, there were other terrific cameos from Ayse Cora and Anastasiya Verameyenka.
Tebrikler #PotaninKraliçeleri! @EuroLeagueWomen @Fenerbahce ???????? pic.twitter.com/sm5ikI8uGJ
— Birsel Vardarli (@birselvardarli7) November 1, 2017
"We are happy and did a great job - I am very proud of my players," declared Fenerbahce head coach, Firat Okul.
"Before the game, I told them to hold on for three quarters. In the last period, I tried something different in order to motivate them and they did everything great.
"I believe in my team. I have dealt with women's basketball for a very long time. It is all about fighting - not about names or titles. It is five players against five players on the court."
A third dramatic win on the road occurred in Krakow as the visiting Famila Schio managed to benefit 74-72 against Wisla CANPACK after a shot on the buzzer from Jolene Anderson.
Schio head coach Pierre Vincent admitted is team had been fortunate to escape with the win and Slovenian center, Eva Lisec was also relieved.
She said: "We're so happy for this win, since we have left a really tough game behind us. We played as a team until the end, helping each other. Like our coach said, I don't how but we got this win, but this is all that counts."
Sopron also won on their travels with an 83-73 victory at ESBVA, something they enjoyed with their fans.
CCC Polkowice and their play-caller George Dikeoulakos was finally smiling as they won at the fourth attempt with a narrow 71-66 triumph against Bourges.
"I am really happy as it was a strange game, full of ups and downs," he mused.
"We started excellently, but we lost concentration in the second quarter and then the same in the third. But, during the fourth, we made ten points difference. This was crucial.
"I'm proud of players. We believed all the game and I would like to thank our fans. They have been with us since the beginning of the season and I hope we will play as good again in the next games."
BLMA also got their first victory at attempt four, and that was cause for celebration for rising star, Ornella Bankole.
They fought off Nadezhda 76-69, which made up for three disappointing losses at the start of a tricky campaign.
Perfumerias Avenida had to suck up the feeling of defeat for the first time this season as they were pipped 67-62 by Yakin Dogu Universitesi. It was tough to take for Avenida center Angelica Robinson, who transferred from the reigning EuroCup winners during the summer.
She said: "I know the mentality that drove this team to the success last year and while we came out with that mentality against Ekaterinburg, we did not this time.
"We we need to play every minute of every game at this level if we want to do something great in this competition," concluded Robinson.
FIBA