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Fenerbahçe were the clear favorites, the only team unbeaten in the 2024-25 EuroLeague Women competition. They even managed to get Kayla McBride to join them for the final stretch of the postseason.
And yet, Praha found a way to beat them in Friday’s semi-final matchup. It wasn’t a lucky or close win either, but a 20-point, decisive triumph, 91-71. And in Natalia Hejkova’s last season as head coach, she gets a chance to ride off into the sunset with a record-breaking sixth EuroLeague title, thanks to her team executing her game plan to perfection.
This Fenerbahçe team is probably one of the most stacked in recent memory, with Emma Meesseman, Gabby Williams, Tina Charles and Nyara Sabally on the roster. Williams and Sabally were great on the offensive end, scoring 20 and 17 points, respectively. Charles played only 11 minutes and made just one of her two shots, Meesseman struggled with accuracy, finishing the game with four points as she went 2-for-7 from the floor and grabbed just four rebounds.
The rebounds were an issue for the whole Fener team, as Praha outrebounded them 50-18. It’s impossible to win a game getting so outclassed on the boards. This occurred mostly thanks to Ezi Magbegor’s rebounding masterclass, as she finished the game with 16 points and 16 boards. Brionna Jones added her own 16 points and seven boards.
In the final Praha will play against ÇBK Mersin, who barely survived a battle with Valencia that could’ve gone either way.
Mersin were more efficient, making close to 50 percent of their shots, while Valencia continued firing away from long distance, despite converting only nine of their 33 attempts. Natasha Howard made 67 percent of her shots, finishing the game with 16 points and eight rebounds, but it was Yvonne Anderson who made the two biggest shots of the game, first putting her team up by two, 66-64, and then setting the final score at 68-66 after another 2-pointer. Valencia was trying to claw back, but lost the ball in the final seconds, giving Mersin a chance at winning it all.
Game Schedule
Third-place game: Valencia vs. Fenerbahçe
When: Sunday, April 13 at 11 a.m. ET
How to watch: DAZN
Championship game: ÇBK Mersin vs. ZVVZ Praha
When: Sunday, April 3 2 p.m. ET
How to watch: DAZN
