EuroLeague Women is back and this week was special for two reasons, one bad and one good.
Polkowice’s premature exit from the competition raises questions about the costs and sustainability of success, sparking fears that the economic uncertainty may discourage top-level American players from coming to Europe. On a more positive note, the (as of yet) indirect rivalry between the Turkish teams just got more serious with the addition of new players. There’s also a new face in Valencia.
Implications of Polkowice’s withdrawal
Polkowice’s story proves just how expensive on-court success is.
They were the reigning Polish Cup winners for three-straight years and winners of five championships in the last 11 years, but the costs necessary to sustain that level of success proved too much. The team’s whole season is now in question, as it has only six players left on the roster and is asking fans for financial support. According to the Official Basketball Rules and Regulations for European Club Competitions, all games featuring KGHM BC Polkowice from both rounds of the regular season are voided and cancelled, while Group F will now consist of five teams.
Team captain Weronika Gajda (known for a tattoo featuring Lola Bunny from Space Jam) left Polkowice after eight years. The team’s best player, Emma Cannon, currently is a free agent and looking for a new place to play.
Familiar faces in new places
Speaking of players joining new teams, Bridget Carleton, Leonie Fiebich and Nyara Sabally took the court for the first time for ÇBK Mersin, Valencia Basket and Fenerbahçe, respectively.
Fiebich will be officially introduced on Friday, but she already got her first taste of action against the best team in the competition, Fenerbahçe, who became even better with the addition of Sabally. Both Germans came off the bench for their teams. Sabally had 11 points and four boards, while Fiebich had six points and five turnovers. Fenerbahçe won by 36 points, 92-56, handing Valencia it’s second loss of the competition.
Out of the three new additions, Carleton was the only starter and while she scored just two points, she found other ways to help Mersin get another win, grabbing eight boards and dishing out three dimes. The one-two punch of Yvonne Anderson and Natasha Howard didn’t disappoint, with the point guard getting 12 points, seven boards and nine assists and Howard delivering another MVP-worthy performance with 24 points and 14 boards. Mersin won 73-53 against Basket Landes and remains unbeaten.
Week 9 scores
Group E
Perfumerias Avenida (4-4) 64, Žabiny Brno (3-6) 58
ÇBK Mersin (9-0) 73, Basket Landes (5-4) 53
Beretta Famila Schio (6-3) 67, Tango Bourges Basket (4-4) 62
Group F
Fenerbahçe Opet (9-0) 92, Valencia Basket Club (7-2) 56
Casademont Zaragoza (5-3) 73, ZVVZ USK Praha (5-4) 68
