Tarragona, Spain – The stage is set for a compelling Copa de la Reina semifinal weekend after Perfumerías Avenida and Hozono Global Jairis secured their places in the final four. The defending champions and a historically strong contender will clash, whereas Casademont Zaragoza and Valencia Basket will battle for the other spot in Sunday’s championship game.
The upsets began on Friday as Perfumerías Avenida delivered a dominant performance, defeating Spar Girona 76-53. Andrea Cave and Claudia Soriano spearheaded the victory, contributing 25 and 22 points respectively, according to game reports. The result sent shockwaves through the tournament, eliminating one of the pre-competition favorites. Girona struggled to find its rhythm from the outset, falling behind significantly in the first half (25-40) and unable to recover despite the efforts of Mariam Coulibaly, who finished with 11 points and 18 in valuation.
“Perfumerías Avenida really imposed their will on Girona,” noted one analyst. “They effectively neutralized Girona’s inside game, forcing them into uncomfortable shots and capitalizing on turnovers.”
Earlier in the day, Hozono Global Jairis continued their strong showing, overcoming Innova TSN Leganés 72-56. The reigning champions, who won the title last year in Zaragoza, demonstrated their championship pedigree, quickly turning the tide after a competitive start. A 12-2 run early in the game established control, and the team maintained a comfortable lead throughout, fueled by strong perimeter shooting.
The Copa de la Reina semifinals will unfold as follows (all times local to Tarragona, Spain, and UTC+2):
- Saturday, March 28th, 17:30 (UTC+2): Casademont Zaragoza vs. Valencia Basket
- Saturday, March 28th, 20:00 (UTC+2): Hozono Global Jairis vs. Perfumerías Avenida
The victory for Perfumerías Avenida was particularly noteworthy given the strength of Spar Girona, a team that had enjoyed a stellar season and qualified for the Final 6 of the EuroLeague. Anna Montañana, the Avenida coach, implemented a defensive strategy that effectively contained Girona’s key offensive threats, Mariam Coulibaly and Chloe Bibby. Even a quick foul trouble situation for Avenida’s star player, Iyana Martín, couldn’t derail their momentum, as Soriano stepped up to lead the offense.
For Hozono Global Jairis, the win against Leganés was a confident start to their title defense. While Leganés showed early promise, the Jairis quickly asserted their dominance, establishing a 16-point lead in the first quarter (30-14) and never relinquishing control. The team appeared to conserve energy, recognizing the challenges that lie ahead in the semifinals and beyond.
The matchup between Hozono Global Jairis and Perfumerías Avenida promises to be a captivating contest. Avenida, with ten Copa de la Reina titles to their name, brings a wealth of experience and championship pedigree. Jairis, the defending champions, will be eager to prove they can repeat their success.
Meanwhile, the Casademont Zaragoza versus Valencia Basket semifinal will pit two strong teams against each other, each vying for a chance to compete for the coveted Copa de la Reina trophy. The winner of that contest will face either Avenida or Jairis in Sunday’s final.
Fans can tune in to Teledeporte to watch the semifinals live from the Palau d’Esports de Catalunya in Tarragona. The Copa de la Reina continues to deliver exciting basketball action, and the final four promises a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.
What’s Next: The Copa de la Reina semifinals will grab place on Saturday, March 28th, with the championship game scheduled for Sunday, March 29th. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage and analysis.
