Galatasaray Çağdaş Faktoring secured its place in the FIBA EuroLeague Women final with a hard-fought 63-56 victory over Casademont Zaragoza in the semifinal round of the Final Six tournament. The win sets up a historic Turkish derby against Fenerbahçe Opet in Sunday’s championship game, marking the first all-Turkish final in the competition’s history.
The semifinal clash took place on Friday, April 17, 2026, as part of the EuroLeague Women Final Six held in Zaragoza, Spain. Galatasaray advanced to the final after defeating the host team Zaragoza, which had earned home-court advantage for the semifinal stage. The victory came exactly 12 years after Galatasaray’s last appearance in the EuroLeague Women final, when they won the title in 2014.
From the opening tip, Galatasaray established control, outscoring Zaragoza 24-4 in the first quarter. Johannes led the offensive effort with 16 points, while Kuier and Williams each contributed 12 points. Smalls added 11 points and Derin Erdoğan chipped in with 9. Juhasz recorded 3 points off the bench. The Turkish side maintained its dominance throughout, leading 37-20 at halftime and extending the advantage to 49-34 after three quarters.
Zaragoza struggled to find consistency against Galatasaray’s disciplined defense, which forced turnovers and limited second-chance opportunities. Hempe was Zaragoza’s top scorer with 18 points, but received minimal support from teammates, as no other player reached double figures. Gueye contributed 7 points, while Leite and Flores each scored 12 and 2 respectively. The Spanish side managed only a 3-0 run in the final minutes, unable to close the gap as Galatasaray preserved its lead to secure the 63-56 win.
The result means Galatasaray will face Fenerbahçe Opet in the final on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. Local time in Zaragoza (UTC+2). Fenerbahçe earned its semifinal berth by defeating Venezia Reyer earlier in the tournament. The two Istanbul rivals last met in a EuroLeague Women final in 2014, when Galatasaray emerged victorious to develop into the first Turkish team to win the continental crown.
This year’s Final Six format features a single-elimination bracket over five days, with quarterfinals on April 15, semifinals on April 17, and the championship and third-place games on April 19. All games are streamed live and free on FIBA’s official YouTube channel, providing global access to the tournament’s climax.
For Galatasaray, the victory represents a return to the pinnacle of European women’s basketball after more than a decade. The club’s journey to the final included notable wins during the group stage, including victories over ÇBK Mersin in Group D. Fenerbahçe, as the top-seeded team, entered the Final Six as one of the tournament favorites, having dominated throughout the regular season.
The Turkish derby carries added significance beyond the trophy, symbolizing the growth and competitiveness of women’s basketball in Turkey on the European stage. Both clubs have invested heavily in their women’s programs in recent years, attracting international talent while developing domestic players through strong youth systems.
As the two rivals prepare for Sunday’s showdown, all eyes will be on whether Galatasaray can repeat its 2014 success or if Fenerbahçe will claim its first EuroLeague Women title. The winner will not only lift the continental crown but too earn automatic qualification for next season’s EuroLeague Women tournament.
FIBA has confirmed that the final will be officiated by a crew of international referees: Petar Pesic (Serbia), Natasa Dragojevic (Montenegro), and Juozas Barkauskas (Lithuania). No major injuries or roster changes were reported for either team heading into the final.
The stage is set for one of the most anticipated matchups in European women’s basketball history. With national pride and continental supremacy on the line, the Turkish derby promises to deliver a thrilling conclusion to the 2025-26 EuroLeague Women season.
Stay tuned to Archysport for live updates, post-game analysis, and exclusive coverage of the EuroLeague Women final between Galatasaray Çağdaş Faktoring and Fenerbahçe Opet.
