Euroleague women’s basketball: both Sopron and DVTK win

DVTK–SCHIO 65–63

SOMEONE WARMED UP on the parquet of the DVTK Arena with the colors of the landlady DVTK-Hun-Therm before the Euroleague match against the Italian Beretta Famila Schio, who had never played in red and white: the Lithuanian Monika Grigalauskyte made her debut for the Borsodians on Thursday – not only that!

This meeting was important for us, on the one hand it was possible to react to the 90-82 defeat suffered in extra time in Italy and, on the other hand, improve the score to fifty percent. As well as making good deeds, Schio’s players made their complaints stand out, and after a basket from DVTK captain Veronika Kányási, at 12-7, Jorgosz Dikeulakosz, guarding the visitors, had to call for a timeout. It was then that Grigalauskyte entered the field for the first time and scored his first field goal at the end of the quarter. There were no complaints about the defense of Péter Völgyi’s students, they were violent and very attentive to the world-class Spanish centre, Astou Ndour.

In the 15th minute Schio was already leading by three points, to which Master Völgyi replied by asking for a timeout. Kányás improved the situation with an incredibly useful field goal, but the away team slowly found their rhythm, which resulted in a 37-28 lead as halftime approached.

In the sequel, DVTK rushed for a few minutes, even though he wanted to avoid it beforehand. Luckily the guest did not skimp on errors, the Australian Darcee Garbin was penalized by seven points (40-42). The sharp Kányási equalized, and then Green somehow put the ball in the ring. Being a tall man, Grigalauskyte got into the empty triple and bowled it, but the thirty away fans were mostly able to smile in the next few minutes.

On the scoreboard before the last act it was 47-53, but the Hungarians remained close to Schio, who didn’t play well at all, and this was obviously also thanks to DVTK. Coming close to scoring, at sixty points, Garbin’s triple once again overtook his rival, the reigning Hungarian Cup champion. What’s more, the hosts were leading 65-63 after a goal by Ndour, a visiting technical foul and a penalty by Nina Aho, and after an attack without a basket, Schio had only one chance to equalize, but didn’t even reach a decent shooting position.

DVTK also won his third home game at the Euroleague main table, this was clearly the biggest feat yet, and he deserves all the praise for his incredible determination.

SOPRON–MECHELEN 71–64

In the first round, the defending champion Sopron won with 29 points in Belgium, which eliminated at home the Italian Schio (80-61) in the last game of last year, and which hosted the Belgian Mechelen on Thursday. After five minutes the score was 11-8, meaning the away team held up well. But after that, we saw 13 points of Sopron continuously until the end of the quarter, that is, the speed selector switched to a higher gear. However, the home team’s 13-0 lead was answered by a 12-0 run away and the game was again close, as the Hungarian side were unable to score points for seven minutes.

But so that the scenario didn’t change, we recorded another 13-0 Sopron in just one and a half minutes! The difference of 14 points at halftime quickly melted to six, and the away team, who played bravely and sometimes recklessly, came, who became champions for the first time in Belgium last year. There were many inaccuracies in the game of both teams, so it is not surprising that the defending champion could not close the game, and the finish was exciting.

Despite this, Sopron played well in the endgame thanks to Jelena Brooks, Serbian-Hungarian who was effective again as leader, and even if it was more difficult than expected, she won the match against the army driver, who leapt to the top of the group.

FEMALE BASKETBALL EUROLEAGUE
ROUND 8
GROUP B

DVTK-HUN-THERM–BARETTA FAMILA SCHIO (Italian) 65–63 (18–14, 12–23, 17–16, 18–10)
Miskolc, 1200 viewer. v: Prpa (Serbian), Vujicic (Montenegro), Mikulic (Croatian)
DVTK: Aho N. 9, Bernáth 3/3, GUIRANTES 9, GARBIN 17/9, C. GREEN 8. Exchange: KÁNYÁSI 10, Kiss A. 3/3, Grigalauskyte 6/3. Trainer: Peter Volgyi
SCHIO: Verona 10, Mabrey 6/6, Keys 6, Howard 3/3, N’DOUR 13/3. Exchange: SOTTONA 10/6, Zahui 4, Crippa, BESTAGNO 11/9, Mestdagh. Trainer: Georgios Dikaiulakos
Evolution of the result. 4th minute: 5–5. 8. page: 12–7. 14. page: 20–20. 17. page: 24–27. 19. page: 28–35. 24. page: 35-42. 25. page: 40–42. 27. page: 44–44. 28. page: 47–51. 33. page: 50–56. 35. page: 56–58. 39. page: 65–63
It was highlighted: Ndour (39. p.)
MASTER SCALE
Peter Volgyi: – We had something to pay back against our opponent, as we lost to them in questionable circumstances. The players did exactly what we discussed against the trapped defense of the Italians. We worked well as a team, our casting performance was also good and we can thank that for our victory. We fought for every free ball and enjoyed the support of our fans. We needed everyone’s movement and support to be successful.
Georgios Dikaiulakos: – After the long break, we got off to a terrible start, the team remained in the locker room, while Diósgyőr’s band mobilized great energy. Of course, I’m not satisfied, we have to correct the mistakes we made in this meeting.

SOPRON BASKET–KANGAROO BASKET MECHELEN (Belgian) 71–64 (24–8, 16–18, 16–19, 15–19)
Sopron, 1200 viewer. v: Yalman (Turkish), Perlic (Croatian), Güngör (Turkish)
SOPRON: Fegyverneky 11/6, TURNER 13, Czukor, BROOKS 21/3, MAGBEGOR 10. Exchange: Kunek 10/6, Böröndy 3, Sztankovics 2, Varga A. 1. Trainer: David Gaspar
MECHELEN: BERTSCH 21/3, Berkani 5, Resimont 2, Nauwelaers 11/3, MORRISON 18/3. Exchange: Van Gils, Rembiszewska, Denys 4, Bruyndoncx 3/3. Trainer: Arvid Diels
Evolution of the result. page 4: 9–6. 8. page: 18–8. 12. page: 24–12. 15. page: 24–20. 18. page: 35–20. 22. page: 40–31. 25. page: 44–36. 28. page: 48–43. 32. page: 59–47. 35. page: 64–53. 38. page: 68–58
MASTER SCALE
David Gaspar: “I’m happy to win!” We were expecting a difficult match, but we prepared thoroughly. We gave a flurry of performances, we lost the pace. Of course, the opponent has also done a lot because of this, but even then you must not lose the rhythm. This was the biggest lesson of today’s match. We also have people with less experience at this level, every game is precious for them. I congratulate Mechelen on the way they played. His players never give up, we’ve already heard it away, we knew what strength they have. We thank our fans for coming out in such large numbers today and creating a great atmosphere. I would also like to thank the coaching staff, they did a great job again this week!
Arvid Diels: – Each team has weak and strong sides, as well as a plan for the given match. We can’t be satisfied with the first half, but we can be satisfied with the energy we played the whole time, and all this against a very good team. I also commend Jelena on the way she handled the pressure. Little things made the difference in Sopron’s favour. Today we also wanted to show what we know, because we are here in the series, I think we have succeeded.

THEY PLAYED ON WEDNESDAY
THE GROUP
Szekszárd – USK Praha (Czech Republic) 56–95
Fenerbahce (Turkey)-Polkowice (Poland) 111-61
Olympiakos (Greek) – Bourges (French) 66–81
Virtus Bologna (Italy) – Pamesa Valencia (Spain) 73-75
GROUP B
Mersin (Turkish) – Perfumerias Avenida (Spanish) 85–80
Uni Girona (Spanish) – Landes (France) 65–54