2005 EuroLeague Women champions BC Volgaburmash Samara completed their 3rd consecutive win in the FIBA Women's World League on Sunday in Samara, beating Czech side Gambrinus Brno 71-60.
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Samara - champions again
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The game saw a repeat of the 2005 EuroLeague Women final, also held in Samara, which Volgaburmash won 69-66.
Samara suffered a blow before the final when an injury to Spanish star Amaya Valdemoro forced her out of the game. With several other players also unavailable, Samara were able to field just 6 players, and Olga Arteshina, Ilona Korstin and Edwige Lawson all played 40 minutes.
However despite the injury problems, Samara were still able to claim the victory, largely on the back of a 29-16 first quarter.
Maria Stepanova is still in a rich vein of form after winning the 2005 EuroBasket Women MVP trophy, and she had 14 points and 16 rebounds for Samara, while Chasity Melvin top scored with 17 points.
New signing DeLisha Milton led Brno with 19 points and 16 rebounds.