EKATERINBURG (EuroLeague Women/FIBA World Championship for Women) - Galatasaray odeabank became the first Turkish team to be crowned EuroLeague Women champions after they claimed a pulsating 69-58 success against Istanbul rivals Fenerbahce.

Boosted by the return of Sancho Lyttle from her ankle injury, Galatasaray were able to pen a special historic moment off the back of a stunning start and some late heroics of Sebnem Kimyacioglu, which killed off a Fenerbahce salvage mission.

After opening up with a red-hot 26-7 first quarter, Galatasaray had to fend off a comeback which reduced the gap to just two points, before Kimyacioglu came off the bench to hit a couple of dagger three-pointers.

"I am lost for words after Sebnem made those plays, because they were unbelievable shots for us at that crucial time of the game," said an elated Lyttle who had 19 points and 12 rebounds.

"I was just so happy to be able to even play in this game and don't know whether to laugh or cry, because it is so painful.

"But, it was worth it for this kind of moment.

"We really wanted to win this for our coach, who had told us in the locker room that he had been waiting all his life for this."

Ekrem Memnun certainly had every reason to be delighted after the final buzzer and visibly struggled to convey his feelings.

"This is an emotion which is so unbelievable that there is no point in me even trying to explain what it means," he stated.

"Technically, we actually played the way that every tournament should be played - smart and focused.

"I have maximum respect for my players, because they have such great character and I actually though we controlled the game.

"I have spent a total of 25 years in this Galatasaray programme and can't express what it means for the club, my colleagues and my friends.

"Of course to be the first coach of a Turkish EuroLeague Women champion is something I am so happy about that I can't begin to express my pleasure."

Alba Torrens was named the MVP of the Final Eight, mainly due to her 29-point effort in the Semi-Final win over strong favourites UMMC Ekaterinburg.

Turkish guard Isil Alben also played a pivotal role by handing out eight assists in the title game, while there was disappointment for her national team colleague and Fenerbahce center, Quanitra Hollingsworth.

Having struggled with injury, she was thrust into the starting five, but it was a slow start by the entire team which proved costly as Fenerbahce slipped to their only loss of the EuroLeague Women season to finish runners-up again.

"We just didn't come out and play hard enough or well enough early," conceded Hollingsworth.

"This was very different to Galatasaray who came out with a lot of confidence and they were simply the better team.

"I thought we fought hard and now we have to try and figure things out and fix it, in order to make sure we are ready if we meet them again in the Turkish League play-offs."

Hosts UMMC Ekaterinburg signed off with an 80-60 win against Tango Bourges to take third spot, thanks mainly to 20 points from Candace Parker.

FIBA