Historic Night in Zaragoza: Spar Girona Secures First-Ever EuroLeague Women Semifinal Berth

For the first time in the club’s history, Spar Girona has ascended into the elite tier of European basketball. In a hard-fought quarterfinal clash on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, the Spanish side overcame Umana Reyer Venezia with a 70-64 victory at the Pabellón Príncipe Felipe in Zaragoza, punching their ticket to the semifinals of the EuroLeague Women Final Six.

The victory marks a watershed moment for the Catalan club, which has evolved from its 2005 foundations to develop into a powerhouse in the Liga Femenina. By securing a spot among the four best teams in Europe, Girona validates a season of strategic growth and resilience, setting up a high-stakes semifinal showdown against the formidable Fenerbahce this Friday.

A Battle of Attrition in Zaragoza

The contest began as a clash of styles and intensities. Reyer Venezia seized the early momentum, with Mariella Santucci igniting the Italian side with a three-pointer just 50 seconds into the game. For much of the opening period, the Italians dictated the pace, forcing the squad led by coach Roberto Íñiguez to weather an early storm.

Girona’s response was anchored by the tactical precision of Laura Quevedo, whose three-pointer pushed the lead to 10-8 and signaled a shift in momentum. Despite a late surge from Venezia that brought the game back to a dead heat at 19-19 by the end of the first ten minutes, the groundwork for Girona’s control had been laid.

The second quarter saw the Catalan defense tighten significantly. A critical “and-one” play by Juste Jocyte broke the deadlock at 22-19, sparking a run that left Venezia struggling to find rhythm. By the time the buzzer sounded for halftime, Spar Girona had established a commanding 39-28 lead, fueled by the interior presence of Mariam Coulibaly and the efficiency of Jocyte.

Stat Lines and Standout Performances

The game was ultimately decided by Girona’s dominance on the glass and their ability to contain Venezia’s primary offensive threats. Mariam Coulibaly delivered a masterclass in versatility, recording 19 points and 15 rebounds to lead all players on the court. Her ability to control the paint proved decisive in limiting Venezia’s second-chance opportunities.

Juste Jocyte provided the necessary scoring punch with 18 points, ensuring the offense remained balanced. On the opposite side, Ivana Dojkic fought valiantly for the Italian squad, finishing with 19 points and contributing three assists in the first half alone, but her efforts were not enough to overcome the collective defensive pressure applied by Íñiguez’s rotation.

Girona managed this victory despite missing key components of their roster, as Arica Carter and Marta Canella were unavailable for the matchup. The depth of the squad, however, proved sufficient to withstand the efforts of Venezia’s Lorela Cubaj and Joyner Holmes in the post.

The “Sixth Man”: Support from Girona

Even as the action unfolded on the hardwood, the atmosphere outside the Pabellón Príncipe Felipe mirrored the intensity of the game. The traveling support from Girona made their presence felt long before tip-off, turning a neutral site in Zaragoza into a temporary home court.

Fans began gathering hours before the event. At 3:45 p.m., the team bus arrived to a warm reception from dozens of supporters who had traveled to cheer on the squad. This energy carried into the arena, where approximately 300 dedicated Girona fans filled the stands, providing a vocal backdrop that bolstered the players during the game’s most tense sequences.

Els seguidors de l’Spar Girona es van fer notar ja des d’un parell d’hores abans del partit a l’exterior del pavelló Príncipe Felipe. A 2/4 de 4 de la tarda va arribar l’autobús amb l’equip i les jugadores i l’staff tècnic van rebre una càlida rebuda per part d’una trentena d’aficionats gironins. Dins del pavelló van ser uns 300.

Path to the Final: The Fenerbahce Hurdle

The celebration of this historic milestone will be brief. Spar Girona now faces one of the most daunting challenges in women’s basketball: a semifinal clash with Fenerbahce. To reach the championship game, Girona will need to replicate the defensive discipline shown against Venezia and hope for another dominant performance from Coulibaly.

For a club that has spent the last two decades climbing the ranks of Spanish and European basketball—from its promotion to the First League in 2009 to multiple Spanish League titles—this Final Six run represents the fresh ceiling of their ambitions.

Key Game Takeaways

• Historic Milestone: First time Spar Girona has reached the top four of the EuroLeague Women.
• Dominant Double-Double: Mariam Coulibaly led the way with 19 points and 15 rebounds.
• Defensive Pivot: A critical second-quarter surge turned a 19-19 tie into a 39-28 halftime lead.
• Roster Resilience: Victory achieved despite the absences of Arica Carter and Marta Canella.
• Fan Impact: Strong traveling support in Zaragoza provided a psychological edge.

The semifinal is scheduled for Friday, where the Catalan side will look to maintain their dream of a European title alive. Stay tuned to Archysport for live updates and analysis of the clash with Fenerbahce.

What do you feel of Girona’s chances against Fenerbahce? Let us understand in the comments below.