EuroCup Women Semi-Finals second leg: Social media spotlight and reaction
MUNICH (EuroCup Women) We check in with those involved in the second leg of the Semi-Finals and take a look at how the action went down on social media.
It's a third EuroCup Women Final for Bellona Agu, who eventually rode their way past Hatay 64-58. However, it was complicated affair after finding themselves with a paltry 24 points at the interval and trailing by 9 points.
But, backed by a boisterous and incredibly vocal crowd, they bounced back brilliantly - much to the delight of shooting guard Chelsea Gray: "It was a good game and the fans were excellent - they were really behind us and I am so happy to be playing for this great club.
"We played well after we talked to in the locker room [at half-time].We came out in the third quarter and played well.
"I am very happy the team is going to the Final and I think we deserve it."
You play the finals to win not to participate!!! #AguBellona #Kayseri #FinalsBaby
— Jelena Dubljevic (@jelenadub11) March 24, 2017
One player who probably didn't deserve to be on the losing side was Courtney Paris, who finished a remarkable season in European club basketball with her trademark double-double.
While disappointed and having also just missed the EuroLeague Women Quarter-Finals in their first campaign, the Hatay star was immensely proud of her team's efforts - as were the team's fans.
She said: "I can honestly say that because we're at this point, it was a good year for us.
"We started of [the season] shaky and we're very proud to have made it this far and I'm very proud of my team."
Hatay also received a special line of praise despite their loss from a very high profile Turkish celebrity and basketball legend.
Kadınlar Eurocup'ta finale yükselen Bellona AGÜ ve Yakın Doğu Üniversitesi ile yarı final oynayan Galatasaray ve Hatay BŞB'yi kutluyorum 🏆🏀👏 pic.twitter.com/4GA8WH5RkA
— Hidayet Türkoğlu (@hidoturkoglu15) March 24, 2017
Yakin Dogu Universitesi are now looking forward to their first Final appearance in what is their maiden EuroCup Women campaign.
They claimed an 81-68 second leg triumph against Galatasaray which built on their six-point advantage from earlier in the week.
Essence Carson was behind much of the great early work from the hosts and she was thrilled to have continued their hold over their city rivals.
She declared: "It was a great game and Galatasaray came out very aggressive. But, we were really prepared and stayed calm.
"We showed how much of a veteran team we are and our objective now is to bring home the Cup."
The difference in experience between both sides was emphasized even more strongly by Galatasaray head coach Marina Maljkovic.
"There was a big difference between the budget of both teams and while we prepared ourselves for the win, we have now lost against them five times in a row," mused the play-caller.
"They made some modifications in their roster and have become a good team. Now we are two teams on different levels.
"We are playing with really young players, including our foreigners and yet we still got to this point and so I must congratulate my players," concluded Maljkovic.
FIBA
