It was nine years since a Spanish team had stepped on a Final Four and
Perfumerías Avenida in Istanbul
was left on the doorstep of the continental title
.
The women from Salamanca gave themselves fully in the final match against a 'Dream Team', that of UMMC Ekaterinburg (68-78).
It seemed like an impossible mission to defeat the all-powerful group led by
Miguel Méndez
, winner of the last four of the five editions of the Euroleague, a group that manages a budget of 13 million euros, higher than that of many CBAs.
The same Spanish coach assures that they are "the best team in the world, including the WNBA."
And so it demonstrated with its plethora of stars, although the Perfumerías made the cut since dawn.
There, without complexes at the Volkswagen Arena, he
surprised with a 19-7 led by Tiffany Hayes
, who scored in every possible way (he finished with 29 points).
Although also in that frantic start, the Salamancans lost to Maite Cazorla due to an ankle injury.
Reaction
The Russian reaction came with a change in defense that left the Spaniards dry: they could barely score nine points in the second act.
The gap continued to grow, with
Brittney Griner
dominating the painting and Breanna Stewart going on the attack.
They are two of the best players in the world, references of the USA Team.
But when it seemed like an impossible mission (30-43), the self-esteem of
Roberto Íñiguez's
pupils arrived again
, who played his seventh Final Four in the last nine years.
Without giving up, they rowed until they put all the meat back on the grill, hurting Milic, and cuddling until dreaming (57-59).
The Salamanca women lacked the strength for heroism. For a feat that would have been comparable to that title they achieved a decade ago. Even so, the 'silver' confirms the rebirth of Spanish women's club basketball, which crossed its particular desert. A week ago,
Valencia Basket
was proclaimed champion of the Eurocup.
If Miguel Méndez prolonged his relationship with glory, Alba Torrens directly made history.
The Balearic won her sixth continental title, something only available to
Diana Taurasi and Lidia Gorlin
.
Alba, who contributed three points, three rebounds and two assists (in 19 minutes), won the first Euroleague with Perfumerías in 2011, being MVP of the final, and then with Galatasaray (2014 and also MVP), in addition to four others with Ekaterinburg (2016, 2018, 2019 and 2021).
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
Know more
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Women's BasketballRaquel Carrera, the 19-year-old "silent leader" who is not afraid of hot balls
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