GIRONA, Spain — Pere Puig, the longtime sporting director of Spar Girona, stood before the media on April 16, 2026, reflecting on the club’s unprecedented journey to the EuroLeague Women Final Six semifinals. His words carried the weight of a season defined by adversity, adaptation, and an achievement few in Girona’s basketball history had dared to imagine.
“L’Spar Girona ja és a les semifinals de la Final Six de l’Eurolliga i, per a mi, la magnitud del que ha aconseguit l’equip va molt més enllà d’una simple classificació,” Puig said, speaking in Catalan during a press conference at the Fontajau pavilion. His message, translated for global audiences, was clear: this accomplishment transcends mere tournament qualification.
The road to Zaragoza had been anything but smooth. Spar Girona entered the decisive phase of the 2025-26 EuroLeague Women season ravaged by injuries. Key players including Canella, Carter, Bibby, and Quevedo were either unavailable or not at full strength, forcing the team to constantly reinvent itself.
“El gran mèrit d’aquest equip és que, després d’unes setmanes patides, ens hem adaptat i estem jugant d’una altra manera,” Puig emphasized. “Això ens fa mortals.” The phrase, stark in its simplicity, captured the team’s transformation from a high-octane, energy-driven squad to a resilient, mentally tough unit capable of grinding out results in hostile environments.
This adaptability was not born of choice but necessity. Earlier in the season, with a full roster, Puig had described the team as “apiconadora” — awe-inspiring in its dominance. They had overwhelmed opponents in Liga Femenina, passing over Valencia and Avenida with ease. But EuroLeague presented a different challenge, one that exposed vulnerabilities when injuries struck.
The turning point came in late January 2026, when Puig expressed unwavering confidence that ZVVZ USK Prague would defeat Famiglia Schio in their crucial matchup. “Sic que guanyaran a l’Schio,” he had stated on January 27, 2026, citing Prague’s victory over Galatasaray and the presence of Brionna Jones, whom he called “la pivot més determinant d’Europa.” That prediction proved correct, setting the stage for Spar Girona’s own destiny.
When the moment arrived, Spar Girona seized it. In a commanding performance at Fontajau, they defeated Flammes Carolo 89-58, a result that, combined with Prague’s win over Schio, secured their place among Europe’s elite six teams. The victory was more than a statistical anomaly; it represented the culmination of a collective mindset shift.
“Precisament per això dona encara més valor al que està fent ara l’Spar,” Puig noted. “Perquè l’escenari ha canviat, i molt.” The team no longer relied on sheer athleticism or early-season rhythm. Instead, they had evolved into a unit defined by awareness, sacrifice, and the will to survive in adverse conditions — qualities Puig believes will define their legacy regardless of the Final Six outcome.
Now, as Spar Girona prepares to face Umana Reyer Venezia in the EuroLeague Women Final Six semifinals in Zaragoza, Puig’s perspective offers a lens through which to understand the magnitude of what has already been accomplished. For a club that has long punched above its weight in Spanish and European basketball, reaching this stage represents not just a competitive milestone, but a cultural one.
The next checkpoint is clear: the semifinal clash against Venezia, scheduled for April 19, 2026, in Zaragoza. A win would advance Spar Girona to the EuroLeague Women final, where they would await the winner of the other semifinal between Praga and Schio — a tantalizing prospect that would fulfill Puig’s earlier prediction of a Prague-Schio Final Six meeting.
For now, the focus remains on honoring the journey. As Puig reminded everyone, some achievements are measured not in trophies, but in the transformation they demand — and the character they reveal.
What’s next: Spar Girona vs. Umana Reyer Venezia, EuroLeague Women Final Six semifinals, April 19, 2026, Zaragoza, Spain.
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