The EuroLeague Final Four took place Friday, with Sopron Basket and Fenerbahce Safiport advancing to Sunday’s final.
Sopron Basket 74, Perfumerias Avenida 69
EuroLeague MVP Kahleah Copper showed up for Avenida, dropping 23 points, six rebounds and two assists, but that wasn’t enough to lift her team over Sopron Basket.
With the win, Sopron advances to its first EuroLeague final since 2018.
Sopron had three players in double-digits, including Jelena Brooks, who led all scorers with 27 points. Bernadett Hatar was right behind her with 15 points and 10 rebounds for the double-double. Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams added 13 points, six rebounds and six assists.
Suiting up for the first time since February, the Los Angeles Sparks’ Katie Lou Samuelson had nine points and four rebounds in her team’s loss. The team’s leading scorer during the regular season, she played just under 20 minutes.
Avenida trailed 47-31 at the half. The club attempted a comeback but fell short despite outscoring Sopron by 11 points in the second half.
“Everyone really stepped up today, I’m really proud of my team,” Williams said following the win. “It feels really, really good. We’ve been playing so well together as a team. I feel like our dynamic right now is really, really good.
“I’m so excited to show what we can bring tomorrow.”
Fenerbahce Safisport 83, USK Praha 74
Home court advantage played a huge role in Fenerbahce’s comeback win. The club trailed 45-38 at halftime of Friday’s semifinal.
Greatest atmosphere in #EuroLeagueWomen history. 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗢𝗗. THE ROOF IS GOING OFF THE BUILDING IN ISTANBUL! 👏😱 pic.twitter.com/8ZKHc8ka8y— EuroLeague Women (@EuroLeagueWomen) April 8, 2022
Greatest atmosphere in #EuroLeagueWomen history. 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗢𝗗. THE ROOF IS GOING OFF THE BUILDING IN ISTANBUL! 👏😱 pic.twitter.com/8ZKHc8ka8y
Alina Iagupova had a great game for the home team, leading all scorers with 24 points and seven assists. Amanda Zahui had 18 points while WNBA standouts Bria Hartley and Kayla McBride had 10 and 15 points respectively. Satou Sabally added nine points while Elizabeth Williams had 11 rebounds in the full-team effort.
The dynamic duo of Brionna Jones and Alyssa Thomas did show up for Praha, with 21 points from Jones and 12 points from Thomas, who added 14 rebounds. Teja Oblak led the team with 22 points. Maria Conde was the only other Praha player in double-digits with 11 points.
Shooting from beyond the arc proved the difference as Fenerbahce downed 11 3-pointers to Praha’s one.
Fenerbahce and Sopron will meet in the EuroLeague final on Sunday at 10 a.m. ET. The game will be streamed live and free of charge on the EuroLeague Women YouTube channel.