EuroLeague Women Quarter-Finals Game 1: Social media spotlight and reaction

MUNICH (EuroLeague Women) - We catch up with some of those involved in the first game day of the Quarter-Finals and take a look at how the action went down on social media.

All eyes were on Candace Parker upon her return to the competition as she scored a team-high 23 points for Fenerbahce to help seal a hard-fought 78-68 win against Perfumerias Avenida. 

"Avenida have a very good defensive strategy," said Fenerbahce head coach, George Dikeoulakos after his side took victory.

"They played a full court press and tried to force us into making turnovers. But, we are an experienced team and we did a very good job - especially in the fourth quarter," he added.  

Sandrine Gruda was satisfied with her night's work and was already looking ahead to the next one - on Friday.

There was drama in Kursk as the unbeaten home favorites had to come from a double-digit deficit to preserve their proud record as they eventually snatched a 76-71 triumph at home to Tango Bourges Basket.

"We let the spectators become nervous as we didn't expect Bourges to play so well on defense and be so successful on offense," mused teenage ace, Maria Vadeeva.

"But, our rebounding and the successful shots of our leaders meant that we were able to come back and find our true game to take the win."

Another rising star didn't get to enjoy a victory, but 18-year-old Alexia Chartereau enjoyed a great individual night for the visitors.

There were two somewhat more comfortable wins for another Russian duo in Nadezhda and UMMC Ekaterinburg. The former swept aside ZVVZ USK Prague 80-57 and that delighted head coach, Roberto Iniguez.

He said: "It was one of our best matches of the season and Prague did not manage to find anything in this game. I would like to thank our fans as the players really felt the lift they gave them - so it was easier for them to play.

"Although we have won, nothing has changed as these are Play-Offs and the game in the Czech Republic will be important for us and we must continue our hard work."

Nadezhda's Elizabeth Williams had double cause to celebrate her team's victory as she had some special visitors from the States with her in Orenburg.

As for the reigning EuroLeague Women champions, they stormed their way to a one-sided 92-47 win against Beretta Famila Schio. It came off the back of some superb work inside by Brittney Griner and a flurry of triples.

The result left Schio's Cecilia Zandalasini confessing that they had been beaten by the far better team and one destined to return to the top step of the tournament podium.

She said: "We did our best, but we knew that it would be hard because Ekaterinburg are one of the best teams and will probably win EuroLeague Women again.

"We tried hard, but they have top players from all over the world and we had a lot of troubles with Brittney Griner and trying to hold her back."

FIBA