Nadezhda Thrash Saarlouis To Reach EuroCup Women Final

Nadezhda stormed into the EuroCup Women Final on Thursday by rolling to a decisive victory over Saarlouis Royals.

After clinching a six-point victory in last week's opening leg, the Russians returned home and meted out an 81-51 beating to the Germans for a 36-point aggregate triumph.

The superstar of Belarus basketball, Anastasiya Veremeenko, had 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks for Nadezhda.

Next up will be a two-legged title showdown against the winner of Sony Athinaikos' Semi-Final showdown with Dynamo Kursk.

The Greek team go into the home leg of that tie with a six-point advantage.

Vladimir Koloskov's Nadezhda entered the game in confident mood thanks to an impressive finish in the first meeting.

The Royals had clawed their way back from an early deficit to level the score and midway through the fourth quarter, the contest was knotted at 52-52.

Sheana Mosch erupted for seven straight points to put Nadezhda on their way to victory.

The German club then lost the services of Czech international Petra Manakova to injury over the weekend.

In Thursday's second leg, Nadezhda never trailed though Saarlouis did match them blow for blow for much of the first half.

With 2:34 remaining  in the opening quarter, the Russian team had a 15-13 lead when Mosch and Monique Currie fired them into a big lead.

Mosch had six points and Currie four in a 10-0 run to opening frame that left the hosts with an 18-point advantage on aggregate.

If the Royals have done anything this season, they have shown a fighting spirit that's to be admired.

The visitors reeled off the first eight points of the second quarter to close the gap to 25-23.

Nadezhda then went on a 6-2 spurt with Veremeenko scoring all of the hosts' points.

The home side led 37-29 at half-time and after the Royals stayed with striking distance for the opening five minutes of the second half, Nadezhda lowered the boom.

They outscored the visitors 8-2 for a 53-38 advantage heading into the last quarter and then routed Saarlouis over the final 10 minutes, pouring in 28 points while limiting their opponents to just 13.

Mosch ended  up with a game-high 19 points while former Russia international Elena Baranova contributed 10 along with eight rebounds.

Katsiaryna Snytsina scored 10 points, pulled down seven rebounds and came up with two steals for the winners.

The German club got nine points and 12 rebounds from Tyrese Smith.

Quotes Nadezhda vs. Saarlouis Royals

Rene Spandauw, Royals Saarlouis coach:
"Today Nadezhda played a very good game. In the fourth quarter, when it was clear that we cannot win this game, wet let young players go to have a go. The Nadezhda  team is stronger than our team and deserved the victory. We got huge experience from these two games."

Yuriy Karandashov, Nadezhda assistant coach:
"We had a responsible approach to the game. In the first period our team put a [points] distance between them and their opponent. In the second period the game was more difficult and the coaching staff had to change the defense. Sheana Mosch hit very important baskets and helped the team to win. Besides this, [we were helped by the fact that] Petra Manakova, their team leader didn't play because of injury."