rewrite this content and keep HTML tags (remove this from content : rewrite this content and keep HTML tags)
In their first game of the second round of the 2025-26 EuroLeague Women competition, ZVVZ USK Praha reminded that they are the defending champions.
After finishing first-round play with an uninspiring 3-3 record, Praha opened second-round action with a 64-55 win over previously-undefeated Galatasaray Çağdaş Faktoring. As Eric Nemchock noted in his preview, this Praha squad does not have the star power of seasons’ past; last year’s championship squad featured Brionna Jones and Ezi Magbegor. Yet, the club’s longtime stalwart, Valeriane Ayayi, led a spirited, collective effort, holding Galatasaray to 55 points, which was, by far, a season-low output.
Ayayi posted 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while Pauline Astier led the team with 13 points. Bridget Carleton contributed 11 points, with Janelle Salaün adding eight points, seven boards and three steals. Overall, Praha won this game by winning all the extra-effort categories, scoring more points off turnovers, earning more second-chance points, feasting on points in the paint and getting more points from reserve players.
Galatasaray, thus, was unable to overcome a poor shooting night. Marine Johannès failed to make a shot, while Kamiah Smalls managed just nine points on 10 shot attempts. Dorka Juhász led the team with an inefficient 11 points. Awak Kueir grabbed a game-best nine rebounds.
The result adds instant intrigue to Group E, as Galatasaray, which entered the second round as the favorite, could lose out on a bye to the Semi-Finals if they suffer another slip up. Praha, meanwhile, showed that, although it might not be pretty, the can find a way to win when the games matter more.
Here are two more takeaways from the first week of EuroLeague Women’s second round:
Fenerbahçe dominates (again) in Gabby Williams’ debut
Fenerbahçe Opet therefore remains the competition’s only undefeated team—a status that was never in question.
Fenerbahçe blasted Umana Reyer Venezia, 96-48. Gabby Williams, playing her first EuroLeague game of the season, was a seamless addition to the Fener machine, scoring 19 points on 80 percent shooting while also totaling three rebounds, three assists and five steals.
Iliana Rupert added to her MVP case with 20 points and eight boards. Kayla McBride had a cool 18 points, with Megan Gustafson leading the team with 10 rebounds and Julie Allemand grabbing nine boards to go with her game-high 10 assists.
Fenerbahçe looks guaranteed to lock down first place in Group F.
Valkyries shine in Girona, Zaragoza victories
After losing their undefeated record in the final week of the first round, Spar Girona got back to their winning ways to open the second round, besting Beretta Famila Schio 81-72. As the second round standings include first round results, the win puts Girona at the top of Group E, as their superior point differential gives them the edge over Galatasaray.
Two Golden State Valkyries, Laeticia Amihere and Justē Jocytē, were key for Girona. Although her 3-pointer was off, Jocytē finished with 14 points and seven assists. Amihere provided a significant off-the-bench boost, with 23 points in 26 minutes.
Another Valkyrie, Carla Leite, assumed a starring role in the week’s wildest game.
In Tuesday’s lone contest, Casademont Zaragoza used a 25-0 run to overcome what was once a 20-point deficit and escape with a 70-63 win over Valencia Basket Club. Up 61-42 under a minute into the fourth quarter, Valencia would not score again until eight seconds remained in the game. At that point, they trailed by seven points. Overall, Zaragoza, which held the lead for only 1:28 of game time, won the final frame 30-7.
With 12 fourth-quarter points, Leite led the comeback. For the game, she scored 23 points, in addition to collecting five rebounds and three assists.
The victory also puts Zaragoza in the middle of the battle for second place in Group F. While Basket Landes currently claims the spot with 12 points, all of Zaragoza, Valencia and Venezia have 11 points. The second-place finisher will secure a valued bye to the Semi-Finals.
