Historic victory for Spar Girona in the EuroCup Women Round of 16. A near-impossible feat was needed, but Fontajau dressed up for another magical night. What a game. What a comeback. Spar Girona came out decisively from the very beginning to impose their rhythm. Only the offensive rebounding dominance of Pecs managed to intimidate Uni at times. However, by the end of the second quarter (42-28) and, above all, at the end of the game, the lead and the average clearly belonged to the Girona team (88-65). In the quarterfinals, the Girona team will play everything against ASVEL.
Spar Girona started strong, lighting up Fontajau with a three-point recital, achieving an 11-2 run to get within just three points of the average. With a three-pointer by Hristova, a drive by Klara, another three-pointer by Bibby, and a 2+1 by Touré, the initial lead was clear (11-2). Even so, Reisingerová cut the deficit with a basket under the hoop and two free throws (11-6). A new play by Touré restored Uni’s seven-point margin (13-6). Gradually, the difference shrank due to Pecs’ dominance on offensive rebounds and their success at the free-throw line, partly influenced by the referee’s criteria (13-10). However, a final surge by Hristova and Bibby, with a three-pointer and a drive respectively, allowed the Girona team to rebuild their cushion (20-13).
Two consecutive three-pointers by Sandra and Jakubcova put Uni ahead by 13, prompting Dokic to stop the game to find solutions (26-13). With Fontajau at full volume, Hristova scored a three-pointer and a two-pointer, extending the lead to 31-13. Even so, Pecs responded from long range with shots by Smailbegovic and Torok. Despite this response, Bibby and Hristova’s two-point accuracy helped Spar retain control (35-19). The visiting coach called another timeout, and the Hungarian side grew stronger thanks to second-chance points from offensive rebounds and, once again, referee decisions, scoring from the free-throw line (40-28). Íñiguez stopped the clock with 31.5 seconds left, and Klara Lundquist converted the final basket of the first half (42-28).
After the break, Lundquist’s free throws were answered by a three-pointer from Torok. Uni’s response came quickly, as Jakubcova and Bibby punished Pecs’ defensive gaps (50-31). Dokic’s instructions worked, and Pecs got within a single point of the average with back-to-back three-pointers from Studer and Smailbegovic (53-37). Lundquist replied with a three-pointer, and then, after an unsportsmanlike foul by the Hungarian side, Uni capitalized with Klara scoring from the free-throw line, followed by Bibby hitting a mid-range shot to stretch the lead to 20 points (57-37). With Fontajau louder than ever, Bibby and Touré sent the crowd into a frenzy with consecutive three-pointers (63-40). At this point, the game turned into a constant free-throw exchange. Unfortunately, the game’s negative note was Smailbegovic’s serious injury. In the end, Uni secured a resounding +20 victory (67-45).
With just 10 minutes remaining, Toth scored two consecutive baskets to bring Pecs closer on the scoreboard, but Bibby answered with a 2+1 and a drive that maintained Uni’s advantage (71-51). Although Klara extended the average, free throws by Reisingerová and a play by Held led Roberto Íñiguez to call a timeout to find solutions (73-54). With almost no time on the shot clock, Canella showcased her usual precision, sinking a spectacular one-footed buzzer-beater three-pointer (77-55). Reisingerová reduced the deficit under the basket, but Touré answered by scoring off an offensive rebound, forcing the visiting coach to stop the game (79-57). Torok took over Pecs’ offensive efforts, scoring a three-pointer and a drive under the basket to bring the score to 83-62. Shortly after, Lundquist made no mistakes from long range, but Held responded with a 2+1 (86-65). With a minute left, Pecs missed their attack, and Klara Lundquist sealed the deal from the free-throw line as Fontajau erupted in celebration (88-65). With this victory, Uni clinched their spot in the next round.
