Anadolu’s First: CIMSA CBK Mersin Claims FIBA EuroCup Women Title
In a championship decided by the thinnest of margins, CIMSA CBK Mersin has etched its name into the history books as the first team from Anatolia to win the FIBA EuroCup Women. Despite a nail-biting loss in the second leg of the final, the Turkish side leveraged a hard-fought advantage from the opening game to secure the trophy on aggregate score.
The victory marks a significant milestone for Turkish basketball. Although Galatasaray and Yakın Doğu Üniversitesi have previously claimed the title, Mersin becomes the first club from the Anatolian region to reach the summit of the competition, bringing the trophy to the Servet Tazegul Spor Salonu in front of a passionate home crowd.
The Road to Glory: A Two-Legged Battle
The FIBA EuroCup Women final utilized a home-and-away format, meaning the champion was determined not by a single game, but by the total points scored across two matches. This structure created a high-stakes environment where every possession in Greece and Türkiye carried immense weight.
The series opened in Glyfada, Greece, at the Municipal Athletic Center “Makis Lioukas.” In a hostile environment before 2,100 spectators, CIMSA CBK Mersin managed to steal the momentum. While Athinaikos Qualco fought back from the brink, Mersin walked away with a crucial 85-80 victory in the first leg.
That five-point cushion proved to be the deciding factor in the championship. In the first leg, Kennedy Burke was the standout performer, pouring in 29 points to anchor the offense, while Kristine Anigwe led the team in efficiency with a mark of 20.
Drama in Mersin: The Final Stand
The second leg shifted to Türkiye, where 7,200 fans packed the Servet Tazegul Spor Salonu. The atmosphere was electric, but the game itself was a grueling tactical struggle. Athinaikos Qualco entered the match determined to erase the five-point deficit, starting strong by leading 16-9 early in the first quarter.
Mersin refused to fold. Led by the scoring efforts of Kennedy Beren Burke and Juskaite, the Turkish side clawed back to end the first period trailing 20-18. The battle intensified in the second quarter, with Athinaikos Qualco heading into the locker room with a 43-38 lead.
The third quarter saw a defensive grind where both teams struggled to find their rhythm. However, fueled by the home crowd, Mersin managed to erase the lead entirely, entering the final period locked in a 61-61 tie.
The closing minutes were a chaotic exchange of baskets. Athinaikos Qualco managed to edge out a 77-75 win in the second leg. However, the celebration belonged to the home team. Since Mersin had won the first leg 85-80, the aggregate score ended 160-157 in favor of CIMSA CBK Mersin.
By the Numbers: Championship Breakdown
The statistical battle highlights how close the two teams were across the series. In the final game in Mersin, Lindsay Allen recorded a team-high efficiency of 25, and Alexis Prince contributed 20 points in a losing effort to overcome the aggregate gap.
| Game | Venue | CIMSA CBK Mersin | Athinaikos Qualco | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Leg | Glyfada, Greece | 85 | 80 | CIMSA CBK Mersin |
| 2nd Leg | Mersin, Türkiye | 75 | 77 | Athinaikos Qualco |
| Total | Aggregate | 160 | 157 | CIMSA CBK Mersin |
MVP and Legacy
The individual brilliance of Kennedy Beren Burke was central to this achievement. Her consistent scoring and leadership throughout the series earned her the honor of being named the Final Series Most Valuable Player (MVP).
For the city of Mersin, this is more than just a trophy. By becoming the first Anadolu-based team to win the FIBA EuroCup Women, the club has shifted the geography of success in Turkish women’s basketball, proving that the powerhouses of the sport extend far beyond the traditional hubs of Istanbul.
The victory adds to a growing tradition of Turkish success in the competition, joining the ranks of Galatasaray, who have won the title twice, and Yakın Doğu Üniversitesi, who have won it once.
Key Takeaways from the Final
- Aggregate Victory: Mersin won the title 160-157 despite losing the second leg 77-75.
- Historical First: First team from the Anatolia region to win the FIBA Women’s EuroCup.
- Star Power: Kennedy Beren Burke was named the series MVP after a dominant performance in both legs.
- Home Support: The second leg saw a massive turnout of 7,200 fans in Mersin, compared to 2,100 in the first leg in Greece.
With the trophy now secured in Mersin, the club looks to build on this continental success as they transition into the next season. For a complete seem at the statistics and rosters from the final series, fans can visit the official FIBA boxscores.
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