Casademont Zaragoza claimed the top spot in its EuroLeague Women group by defeating Lithuania’s Kibirkstis 77-55 at the Pabellón Príncipe Felipe. Carlos Cantero’s squad overcame a sluggish start to dominate the reigning Lithuanian champions, securing their third continental victory and moving to the summit of the group standings.
Pabellón Príncipe Felipe Witnesses a Dominant Turnaround
The visiting Lithuanian side arrived in Zaragoza riding a strong early-season wave, having yet to taste defeat in continental play. Kibirkstis opened the contest aggressively, knocking down early perimeter shots. Cantero called an early timeout to reset his defense, sparking a response that changed the complexion of the match. Led by energetic contributions from Ornella Bankolé, the hosts closed the opening period ahead 25-22.
Casademont Zaragoza tightened its defensive rotations in the second quarter, completely disrupting the visitors’ offensive flow. The Aragonese side stretched its advantage before halftime, heading to the locker rooms holding a comfortable 45-31 lead. The third quarter proved decisive as Zaragoza overwhelmed the Lithuanian defense, holding Kibirkstis scoreless for long stretches and extending the margin to 25 points at 58-33. By the end of the third frame, the score sat at 63-37, effectively putting the match out of reach.
Standings Implications and Domestic Schedule
With this comprehensive 77-55 victory, Casademont Zaragoza takes sole possession of first place in its EuroLeague Women group standings. The team has built an impressive early-season resume, stringing together seven victories across domestic and continental competitions following a lone stumble in September’s Spanish Super Cup semifinals against Valencia Basket.
Kibirkstis entered the fixture with high-scoring threats such as Niyah Becker and Nausia Woolfolk, but Zaragoza’s defensive adjustments neutralized their primary weapons after the initial ten minutes. The closing minutes of the fourth quarter played out amid constant roster rotation from Cantero, allowing the Príncipe Felipe crowd to applaud departures for key players like Mariona and Brito as the clock ran down.
Casademont Zaragoza returns to action on Sunday with a domestic league fixture against Leganés.
