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The second round group play for 2024-25 EuroLeague Women season is in the books.
With no games scheduled until Feb. 19, this gives us some time to reflect on the season so far. There are two clear favorites in Fenerbahçe and ÇBK Mersin, but Beretta Famila Schio showed that they can be serious contenders as well.
Why Schio is the team to watch
There are two teams who have lost just three games in the competition, Schio and Valencia Basket. Yet, it is Schio that has emerged as the third power in this year’s competition, in part because they played two more games and won them both. So at 9-3, Schio will not have to play for a semi-final spot. On the court, the club has three WNBA-level talents at the 3, 4 and 5 positions: Kitija Laksa, Janelle Salaün and Dorka Juhász. All three not only can play under the basket, but also can stretch the floor and shoot from long distance. In their game against Tango Basket Bourges, an 84-72 win, Laksa had 13 points, Salaün put up 19 points and eight boards and Juhász contributed 13 points and eight boards.
It’s particularly puzzling that Salaün is not in the W. Can you believe that she went undrafted in 2023?
Praha shows solidarity with Maria Conde
ZVVZ USK Praha’s Maria Conde tore her Achilles on Jan. 8, with the injury likely resulting in a 12-month break from basketball. Her club wore warm-up shirts supporting her before their game against Casademont Zaragoza. Her absence also seriously hampers Praha’s chances at winning the competition.
Luckily, they still have Brionna Jones and Valériane Ayayi, a pairing that helped them get the necessary win over Zaragoza, 72-66. Ayayi had 19 points and 12 boards, while Jones had 13 points and 15 rebounds.
Week 12 scores
Group E
Beretta Famila Schio (9-3) 84, Tango Bourges Basket (7-5) 72
Perfumerias Avenida (5-7) 65, Žabiny Brno (3-9) 63
ÇBK Mersin (11-1) 74, Basket Landes (6-6) 67
Group F
ZVVZ USK Praha (5-5) 72, Casademont Zaragoza (5-5) 66
Fenerbahçe Opet (10-0) 88, Valencia Basket Club (7-3) 71
