Spar Girona missed out on the Women’s EuroLeague group stage after falling 81-69 to Turkish side Emlak Konut in a high-stakes qualifying playoff at Fontajau. Despite a valiant effort and double-digit scoring contributions from Adut Bulgak, Iyana Martín, and Brittney Conner, Roberto Íñiguez’s squad couldn’t withstand a decisive third-quarter surge led by Reka Lelik and Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah, dropping down to the Eurocup for the upcoming European campaign.
How Emlak Konut Broke Open the Playoff at Fontajau
The decisive turning point arrived immediately after halftime. Leading by just three points at 39-36 entering the break in front of 2,674 spectators at Fontajau, Emlak Konut slammed the door shut with a blistering 0-18 run. According to match reports, the visiting side transformed a narrow 41-40 Girona lead into an insurmountable 59-40 advantage over eight minutes of suffocating defense and transition execution.
Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah and Reka Lelik spearheaded the onslaught, punishing Girona’s turnovers and dominating the glass. Lelik finished as the game’s high scorer with 29 points, orchestrating an offensive masterclass that left the Catalan defense scrambling. When Spar Girona attempted a late rally in the fourth quarter—slashing the deficit down to single digits behind the shooting of Iyana Martín and Brittney Conner—point guard Lindsay Allen hit two back-breaking triples to secure the 81-69 final scoreline.
Standout Performances and Match Statistics
The box score illustrated the sheer offensive firepower Emlak Konut brought to the floor in hostile territory. Reka Lelik led all scorers with 29 points, while Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah anchored the paint with 19 points, matching Lindsay Allen’s crucial 17-point contribution. Ceren Akpinar chipped in 7 points, and Stephanie Mavunga added 6 points before fouling out in the final frame.
For Spar Girona, Adut Bulgak paced the hosts with 16 points, anchoring the offense through a gritty first half. Iyana Martín and Brittney Conner added 13 points apiece, while Laura Quevedo chipped in 7, and Marta García contributed 6 points. Despite the balanced scoring effort, the home side struggled to find consistent perimeter shooting during Emlak Konut’s defining third-quarter defensive clampdown.
Roberto Íñiguez and the Reality of a New Project
Head coach Roberto Íñiguez admitted in the build-up that reaching the EuroLeague was a priority he wanted most for his players, many of whom joined the club this summer specifically to compete in Europe’s premier competition. The coaching staff acknowledged that a qualification match of this magnitude arrived prematurely for a newly constructed roster that has only recently enjoyed full-squad training sessions.
The Spanish side will now transition to the Eurocup for what marks their twelfth consecutive season playing continental basketball. While the immediate disappointment of missing the EuroLeague group stage stings in Girona, the club turns its focus toward domestic competition and allowing the new project under Íñiguez time to mature and cohere over the full season ahead.
Match Officials and Next European Assignments
The high-intensity qualifying fixture was officiated by a three-person referee crew consisting of Natasa Dragojevic of Montenegro, Ewa Matuszewska of Poland, and Alessandro Perciavalle of Italy. With the qualification tournament concluded, Spar Girona turns its attention toward its upcoming Eurocup fixtures and domestic league commitments.
