Benfica vs Zaglebie: EuroCup Women Preview & Result

The women’s basketball team Benfica ended up losing to MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec, 65-66, at the Pavilhão Municipal do Casal Vistoso, in the 5th round of Group K of the EuroCup Women, this Wednesday, November 5th.

For another round of EuroCup WomenEugénio Rodrigues launched Inês Faustino, Maria João Bettencourt, Zuzanna Puc, Gabriela Fernandes and Letícia Soares not initial five.

It was not an easy start to the game for the two-time national championswhich saw visitors being very effective in triple throwinghow they obtained almost double their score until then (12 out of 26).

So, when the horn sounded for the end of the 1st roomthe Poles won, for 13-26.

After 10 minutes decided by three-point shots, the 2nd half began with both teams betting on… triples. First it was MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec, having answered the Benficaby Joana Soeiro (16-29), followed by Marta Martins (19-32).

The duel continued, the opponents managed to maintain the differentialwhich spent a long time in 13 pointsbut when the interval arrived, it was slightly bulkier: 27-42.

The Eagles started the 3rd half very well, recording six consecutive points – Marta Martins (2), Zuzanna Puc (2) and Letícia Soares (2) –, shortening the distance to 9 points (33-42).

Galvanized by the good moment, the Reds continued to reduce the difference. In the second half of the 3rd half, a triple by Inês Faustino and another by Letícia Soares left the punctual interval at 3 points (41-44).

Completely above, the somersault on the marker arrived with just over 2 minutes left in the 3rd period, thanks to a ball steal from Letícia Soares which resulted in two more points for the eagles (47-45).

However, the Poles reacted to the Benfica superiorityand reached the end of the quarter to win, by 47-53leaving everything open for the final partial.

After much struggle, Benfica managed to draw the duel (58-58)again through a triplethis time signed by Zuzanna I canand then immediately jumped to the front (60-59): scored Letícia Soares (2).

The last few minutes were truly electrifying, with the marker changing hands several times. One triple signed by Marcy Gonçalves left the two-time Portuguese champions with a three-point lead (65-62)but 4 consecutive points of MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec turned the result around and gave the triumph for visitorsfor a scarce point (65-66).

Letícia Soarescom 17 points collectedwas the one who contributed most to the score Benfica fan.

In the 6th round of Group K of the EuroCup Women, Benfica travels to Czechia to face the SBS Ostrava. The duel is scheduled for the day November 26th, 6:15 pm continental.

DECLARATIONS

Eugénio Rodrigues (Benfica coach): “It’s the ability to stand up to this Zaglebie Sosnowiec who, in theory and on paper, is better than us. Therefore, this ability was at the expense of their work, their resilience and their aggressiveness, who, even in uncomfortable situations, tried to get the game going. Whenever we are competitive in a competition like the EuroCup – which is the second European competition after the Euroleague – it’s good feelings, good signs, despite losing by one point.”

Letícia Soares (Benfica center): “We started the game much lower than we expected. We went to the locker room and tried to adjust what we had planned for the game. We managed to put it into practice, but then we let it slip a little and they ended up winning. We left with our heads held high in the third and final quarter we played.”