Two Turkish juggernauts – Fenerbahçe and ÇBK Mersin – are set to chase continental glory on the FIBA Women’s EuroLeague Six-Team Final, April 9-13 in Zaragoza.
The high-stakes match pits Türkiye’s most interesting towards elite golf equipment from Spain, Italy, France and the Czechia.
While hosts Valencia and reigning champs Fenerbahçe have secured semifinal berths, Mersin should battle from the play-in stage.
Here’s how the stage shapes up:
Champions on mission
Back-to-back titleholders, Fenerbahçe Opet, have a bullseye on their backs – however they wouldn’t have it every other approach.
Armed with a stacked roster and using a dominant marketing campaign, the Yellow Angels stormed by means of the group levels and second spherical to earn direct entry into the semifinals.
They’re not simply right here to defend their crown – they’re chasing a dynasty.
Underdogs with firepower
Mersin will face France’s Tango Bourges in a must-win play-in battle – however historical past favors the Turkish aspect.
Mersin defeated the French outfit twice this season (77-66 and 80-76) and enters with momentum.
Despite falling quick towards Valencia of their final outing, Mersin boasts depth and grit. If they clear the primary hurdle, they may meet both Fenerbahçe or one other powerhouse with confidence earned the exhausting approach.
Homecourt edge
Spain’s Valencia rides the wave of residence help into the semifinals, hungry for his or her first-ever EuroLeague title.
Past triumphs within the FIBA Europe Cup (4x) and Saporta Cup (2x) aren’t sufficient anymore – they need the continent’s largest prize.
The squad is star-studded: Turkish followers will acknowledge former league MVP Alina Iagupova, Alba Torrens, and Kayla Alexander, plus ex-Türkiye-based stars like Yvone Turner and Kristina Vitola.
Iagupova leads the group with 11.9 factors per recreation.
After topping Group D and ending second to Fenerbahçe within the second spherical, Valencia punched their semifinal ticket by eliminating Mersin.
Chasing 4th title
France’s Tango Bourges Basket seeks a fourth EuroLeague crown – after hoisting the trophy in 1997, 1998, and 2001.
They convey a modest roster however one bursting with combat. Nigerian ahead Amy Okonkwo averages 15.4 factors and carries the scoring load.
Bourges slipped by means of group play, ending second behind Mersin in Group B and third in Group E.
But they shocked host Zaragoza within the play-ins and now stare down a well-recognized foe in Mersin.
Hungry after decade
Czech giants ZVVZ USK Prague final tasted EuroLeague gold in 2015.
Ten years later, they’re clawing for a return to the highest.
Led by dominant American middle Brionna Jones (17.6 PPG), Prague additionally fields standouts like Valeriane Ayayi and Maria Conde.
The Czechs battled by means of Group D in second place, and completed third within the second spherical’s Group F. They dispatched Landes within the quarterfinals and now face Italy’s Schio to start their Zaragoza journey.
Title goals in bloom
Italy’s Beretta Famila Schio has only one continental title – 2008’s EuroCup – however this 12 months’s squad is decided to double the rely.
Their offensive engine is Latvian sharpshooter Kitija Laksa (15.9 PPG), as soon as a Fenerbahçe star. Olympic silver medalist Janella Salaun provides punch and poise.
Schio completed second in each Group A and Group E, however fell to Fenerbahçe within the quarterfinals. Now they’ll sq. off towards USK Prague within the 6-Team Final opener.
Source: www.dailysabah.com