FIBA: Fenerbahçe remains undefeated in EuroLeague Women

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The EuroLeague Women play-in picture got clearer following this week’s games.

Three teams have officially advanced to the semi-final play-ins. ÇBK Mersin from Group E and Fenerbahçe and Valencia Basket from Group F lost just three games total and stand out from the rest of the competitors, hence are well deserving of making the semi-final play-ins.

Three more teams have punched a ticket into the quarter-final play-ins, with Basket Landes from Group E and Casademont Zaragoza and ZVVZ USK Praha from Group F maintaining a shot of making the Final Six. From Group E, Beretta Famila Schio and Tango Bourges Basket remain alive for the final semi-final play-in spot; the club that doesn’t earn it will compete in a quarter-final play-ins.

Three other teams will be eliminated from the competition after playing their last games next week, simply hoping to finish their EuroLeague Women seasons with a win. But were Perfumerias Avenida, Žabiny Brno and Umana Rey Venezia really that bad? Let’s appreciate the teams that will say goodbye to serious competition.

Lost, but no losers

Perfumerias Avenida, Umana Reyer Venezia and Žabiny Brno feature some familiar faces on their rosters, and all three teams showed that they belonged in the EuroLeague. It’s just that competition at this level is so tough, requiring almost constant perfection.

For Avenidas, the player to watch was the former Louisville Cardinal Arica Carter, who in the previous game against Tango Bourges Basket had 21 points and four assists. Her averages aren’t bad either: 10.1 points and 3.4 assists.

On Venezia, there was a number of players to admire, like the prodigy Matilde Villa or the incredibly athletic Awak Kuier, but somehow lost in the mix was Kamiah Smalls, one of the most energetic, best-conditioned players in the competition. Smalls proved that no on-court task is beyond her. This week against Fenerbahçe, she scored 15 points on 60 percent shooting and was one of the few bright spots as her team was being overpowered by the reigning champs.

For the Brno, there was nobody more important than the twin towers of Stephanie Kostowicz and Elissa Cunane. The 6-foot-3 Kostowicz averaged 10.1 points and 6.2 boards, while the 6-foot-5 Cunane could be counted on for 11.3 points and 7.8 rebounds. Both are capable of playing inside, stretching the floor and shooting the 3.

ÇBK Mersin—no longer undefeated

Without Yvonne Anderson and Natasha Howard, Mersin still put up a fight against Famila Schio. The hole in the middle was exploited by Schio’s Dorka Juhász, who scored 12 points and grabbed season-high 17 rebounds. On the offensive end, the Italians were carried by Kitija Laksa. The Latvian forward scored 25 points, including four 3s.

For Mersin, with the absence of two keys players, Iliana Rupert stepped up (again), getting 18 points and 11 rebounds. That was not enough to keep the team’s undefeated streak alive, but the one thing more important than the unbeaten streak is winning the final game. And Mersin is still capable of doing that.

Week 11 scores

Group E

Tango Bourges Basket (7-4) 62, Perfumerias Avenida (4-6) 51

Basket Landes (6-5) 76, Žabiny Brno (3-8) 60

Beretta Famila Schio (8-3) 83, ÇBK Mersin (10-1) 71