This week’s match-up between Lotos Gdynia and Ros Caseres Valenica had more to it than immediately met the eye. It was unquestionably a big match between 2 teams that have legitimate EuroLeague Women title aspirations, but there was still more.

		Bibrzycka during the European Championship

For Polish national team players Margot Dydek, Agnieszka Bibrzycka and Joanna Cuprys, it was a chance for redemption or even revenge. During the 2003 European Championship for Women, Poland met up with Spain in the bronze medal game. At stake was not just a medal, but a trip to the 2004 Olympic Games.

Despite leading practically the whole game, Poland crumbled in the 4th quarter as Spain overcame a 15-point deficit to win the game and spark some serious celebrations.

Wednesday’s game was the first meeting since that game between Dydek, Bibrzycka and Cuprys, and Spanish internationals Amaya Valdemoro, Marta Fernandes and Ingrid Pons.

This time, it was Poland who triumphed, 89:83 thanks mainly to the MVP performance of Agnieszka Bibrzycka.

Bibrzycka led all scorers with 25 points, including some huge buckets down the stretch to hold off a Valencia fightback.

In fact, Valencia led almost the entire game, but Bibrzycka sparked a Gdynia comeback in the final minutes as she hit 2 3-pointers and assisted on a Chasity Melvin basket to get her side right back in the game.

Finally, it was Bibrzycka’s 2 free throws which iced the game for Gdynia, giving them a 2-1 record in Group B, while Valencia slip to 1-2..