USK Prague stunned favourites UMMC Ekaterinburg 72-68 to claim their first Euroleague Women success in front of their home crowd in the Czech capital.
And it was richly deserved despite the hosts nearly blowing a 9-point lead to lose it with 26 seconds left.
But a pair of free-throws in the dying seconds from Jana Vesela got the job done to spark incredible scenes of joy after the final buzzer.
For years, it has been the same old story in the Euroleague Women as the big fish claims its prize but this year, the lesser-known entity grabs the glory and USK Prague did it on their home court.
Danielle Robinson led the winners with 24 points, 18 of them coming in the second half with Kia Vaughn registering 18 points and 12 rebounds in what was her second double-double at the tournament, and with that, deserving of her MVP award.
Candace Parker led Ekaterinburg with 27 points and 14 boards but, like last year when they fell on their own court, it wasn’t to be. The Russian giants, without leader Diana Taurasi, struggled from three-point territory, going a woeful 1/16 with many saying that they should have stuck to their strong presence inside.
On this night, their outside game wasn’t working, yet they plugged away at it, but it cost them the Euroleague crown that they felt was theirs.
DYNAMO KURSK TAKE THIRD
To keep with the Euroleague Women’s refreshing podium this season, debutants Dynamo Kursk took third place after convincingly beating Turkish giants Fenerbahce 67-58.
It might have been a consolation game, but the Russian side played with a great deal of passion, desperate to end the season on a high.
And they out-played Fenerbahce, who looked a beaten side from the opening minutes.
Nnemkadi Ogwumike claimed a nice double-double of 21 points and 14 rebounds for Kursk. Tina Charles had 23 points and 10 rebounds for Fenerbahce.
Photo: FIBA Europe.
