TalkBasket.net has now opened its doors to women’s basketball, and we’ll provide you with updated coverage of all women’s events and of course the 2012 Olympic Games as we extend our coverage.
Here’s a round-up of what’s happening in the top domestic leagues around Europe.
Russia
UMMC Ekaterinburg won their fourth straight PBL crown after a 3-0 finals win over close rivals Spartak Vidnoe Moscow Region. Both teams finished in the top two by a clear margin, Ekaterinburg landed a 17-1 record with their sole loss coming against the second placed Spartak as they finished 16-2.
In the finals, UMMC were unstoppable, romping to double-digit wins in two of the three games played. They saved their best ’till last though, an 89-64 victory with Candace Parker hitting a 20 point, 11 rebound double-double. Sandrine Gruda led Ekaterinburg’s scoring with 23 points.
Candice Dupree hit 22 for Spartak – the only player to reach double-digits.
Spain
Undefeated and untroubled – Ros Casares won back their LFB league trophy with a 26-0 record en route to a perfect playoff run which ended with a 2-0 series win over Perfumerias – who finished runners-up.
It was a close game one with Perfumerias having the better of the final three quarters. But their slow start and poor defence inside proved to be their undoing, trailing 23-14 after the first period and giving up 50 points in the paint.
Australian international Lauren Jackson brought the Valencia side home with 19 points with Sancho Lyttle hitting 12.
Game two was a different story, Perfumerias looked tired and defeated from the opening tip. Coach Luco Mondelo in the end rotated all 12 players when the scoreline was out of reach. Ros Casares won 86-68.
Maya Moore led Casares with 20 points.
Poland
Wisla Can-Pak won the PLKK after a 4-0 blowout of CCC Polkowice, this brought them their second straight Polish crown as the Krakow team have more than made up for their below standard fifth place finish in 2010, they added the Polish Cup to their list of trophies for this season also.
Polkowice finished second overall, with PGE Turow ending up with bronze in the battle of the losing semi-finalists after a 3-1 series victory over Lotos Gdynia. Turow sealed the deal with a 77-67 win thanks to Great Britain international Julie Page’s 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Gdynia ended in fourth to complete the season.
Turkey
Fenerbahce pipped bitter rivals Galatasaray in the battle of the WNBA stacked squads to win the Turkish league and they won their playoff final 3-1, after both sides breezed through their earlier rounds with whitewash wins.
In game four, Fenerbahce defeated their Istanbul rivals in a high scoring affair 96-86 to claim their eighth straight title with Cappie Pondexter hitting 29 points for the victors and Atlanta Dream star Angel McCoughtry supporting with 24.
Galatasray’s Diana Taurasi led all scorers with 32 points and she added eight assists but unfortunately to no avail.
