EuroLeague Women Quarter-Finals preview: Wednesday 15 March
MUNICH (EuroLeague Women) - It's the third and decisive game night of the EuroLeague Women Quarter-Finals with the last two remaining Final Four tickets up for grabs.
Fenerbahce are looking to hit back at Perfumerias Avenida in the wake of their 76-66 defeat last Friday when a late run by the visitors and the result papered over a one-sided and eye-catching success for the Spanish side.
"They punched our face in the first quarter and that's how you can explain the game," said recent Fenerbahce arrival Candace Parker, who was quick to give credit to her opponents.
"They played better defense, they moved the ball better than us, they were much more aggressive than us.
"They had great fans and our coach told us before the game that they would be a different team at home, and it was true."
Serbian ace Jelena Milovanovic was the standout contributor as she lit it up from the three-point line for Avenida and she was still buzzing in the wake of the win as the team prepared in Istanbul.
She said: "I am very proud of my team. Obviously Fenerbahce have better names, but basketball is about the team and we were better.
"I told everyone since the beginning of the season that playing for the fans [at Avenida] is simply amazing and they are the best in Europe.
"I wish all of them could come and be with us in Istanbul," she added.
Nadezhda started poorly in their contest at ZVVZ USK Prague on game day two as they lost 64-55 to the hosts, also suffering a worrying and painful injury to center Amanda Zahui.
And, the Swedish star accepted they had been caught cold in the Czech capital.
She said: "We started very soft even though we knew that they would come out aggressively.
"We just didn't step up and adjust their rhythm and they had too many rebounds and that's one of the keys why we lost.
"Now we have to come back in this game on our home court."
From a Prague perspective, standout forward Sonja Petrovic was relieved her side had moved on from the first match-up in Russia and is buoyant about a prospect of returning to the Final Four.
"We showed what we learned from Orenburg," she stated.
"We played and fought all game long. It was very tough and physical, but we know that you can't win any other way.
"The Play-Offs are not about talent, it is about the fight and having heart.
"Everything is possible on Wednesday and we just want to finish proud and with the attitude we showed in the second game," concluded Petrovic.
EuroLeague Women Quarter-Finals (Game 3):
Nadezhda v ZVVZ USK Prague
Fenerbahce v Perfumerias Avenida
To view the EuroLeague Women Quarter-Finals, go to livebasketball.tv.
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