31.10.2012

Galatasaray Fight Back To Deny Prague

Isil Alben kept her cool at the end to hand the hosts victory

Galatasaray pulled off a stunning comeback to win at home on Wednesday against ZVVZ USK Prague in EuroLeague Women Group C.

The Czechs led by 14 points early in the second quarter but the home side fought back and prevailed, 58-56, to improve to 2-0.

Prague have now lost two games by a combined eight points. They fell at home last week to Perfumerias Avenida, 62-56.

Solid performances for the second straight week from Sancho Lyttle and Ann Wauters were decisive.

The former had 14 points and 12 rebounds and Wauters finished with 17 points and 10 boards.

Lyttle has played on the last two sides to win the EuroLeague, Perfumerias Avenida and Ros Casares, respectively.

Wauters was her teammate on last season's title-winning Ros Casares side.

Prague very nearly scraped a victory on the road.

Isil Alben's fast-break lay-up with 1:08 to go lifted Gala into a 57-56 advantage.

After Katerina Elhotova of Prague and Sebnem Kimyacioglu of the home side missed shots from the arc, Elhotova again misfired from long range with 15 seconds remaining.

Alben grabbed the rebound and was fouled by Eva Viteckova with seven seconds left.

Alben made the first but missed the second.

Kia Vaughn collected the defensive board but then had her pass intercepted by point guard Yasemen Saylar.

Vaughn was a real handful for the hosts early on and finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds but Prague never got on track from outside.

Viteckova, one of the best three-point shooters in Europe, only attempted two three-pointers and missed both.

 

31.10.2012

Quotes Galatasaray vs. ZVVZ USK Prague

Özge Yavaş, Galatasaray:
"At the beginning of the game we missed a couple of shots but in the second half we played really well and made a big comeback. They were tough but we deserved to win and I'm happy about the ending. Congratulations to my team-mates. My coach trusted me and I took responsibility at the game. I'm grateful to Ekrem Memnun for trusting and giving more minutes to me."

Ekrem Memnun, Galatasaray coach:
"We started badly at offense, we tried to play from the paint but we could not make easy field goals, also we did not drive as I expected. These preferences effected our defensive strength. We knew the game will be tough. We have lots of players out injured so we could not use rotations. We felt a bit tired. But we closed the gap through fighting. The most important thing is that we made a great comeback, maybe ZVVZ USK are more physical team than us but my players never gave up, they had no hesitation. Under these circumstances I appreciate our players who overcame through sheer courage."

Jelena Dubljevic, ZVVZ USK Prague:
"I think we started really good and with a lot of confidence - things which we did not do at our first game last week. We showed our better face as a team and individually and I can say we had to control all of the game. At the end we weren't as lucky as at the beginning. At least we raised the level of our game and showed that we can play better basketball and we can do more which I'm looking forward to."

Ivan Benes, ZVVZ USK Prague coach:
"This time we did not win the game but we're pleased. Of course we are unhappy that we did not win but there is no bad feeling because of the team performance. We fought until the end, we put our heart into the game. We definitely came to Istanbul to win, it's not a surprise for us to make the game difficult for Galatasaray."

31.10.2012

Quotes Galatasaray vs. ZVVZ USK Prague

Özge Yavaş, Galatasaray:
"At the beginning of the game we missed a couple of shots but in the second half we played really well and made a big comeback. They were tough but we deserved to win and I'm happy about the ending. Congratulations to my team-mates. My coach trusted me and I took responsibility at the game. I'm grateful to Ekrem Memnun for trusting and giving more minutes to me."

Ekrem Memnun, Galatasaray coach:
"We started badly at offense, we tried to play from the paint but we could not make easy field goals, also we did not drive as I expected. These preferences effected our defensive strength. We knew the game will be tough. We have lots of players out injured so we could not use rotations. We felt a bit tired. But we closed the gap through fighting. The most important thing is that we made a great comeback, maybe ZVVZ USK are more physical team than us but my players never gave up, they had no hesitation. Under these circumstances I appreciate our players who overcame through sheer courage."

Jelena Dubljevic, ZVVZ USK Prague:
"I think we started really good and with a lot of confidence - things which we did not do at our first game last week. We showed our better face as a team and individually and I can say we had to control all of the game. At the end we weren't as lucky as at the beginning. At least we raised the level of our game and showed that we can play better basketball and we can do more which I'm looking forward to."

Ivan Benes, ZVVZ USK Prague coach:
"This time we did not win the game but we're pleased. Of course we are unhappy that we did not win but there is no bad feeling because of the team performance. We fought until the end, we put our heart into the game. We definitely came to Istanbul to win, it's not a surprise for us to make the game difficult for Galatasaray."