Schio Return To F8 After Overtime Drama

Laura Macchi led the way for Famila Schio with 23 points

Famila Schio sealed consecutive EuroLeague Women Final Eight places after their Italian contingent starred in a thrilling 79-75 overtime success against last year's finalists Rivas Ecopolis.

Home favourite Laura Macchi has missed much of the campaign through illness, but she headlined in a memorable game with a masterful 23-point performance.

Macchi was well supported by fellow veteran Raffaella Masciadri who played big minutes and contributed an economical 10 points, whilst Giorgia Sottana drained a three-point dagger during the extra period and finished the job from the free-throw line.

Rivas had started the contest brightly, opening up a 20-13 advantage thanks to a couple of triples from the excellent Oleksandra Kurasova, but Schio then came roaring back to briefly take control.

However, there was nothing to separate the teams at 54-54 and the game remained in the balance until Macchi nailed a three-ball and then made a reverse lay-up to put Schio 61-57 ahead.

But, Rivas managed to rally with a sweet shot off the glass by Anna Cruz putting the visitors 65-63 to the good, with less than two minutes remaining.

Elodie Godin tied the game up for Schio and when Jantel Lavender made what seemed to be the decisive basket in crunch time, it looked like the hosts would get the job done in regulation.

Kurasova had other ideas and made a great move to the hoop to force overtime, although Rivas had to survive a last ditch triple-attempt from Masciadri.

As the extra five minutes unfolded, Schio looked to have more energy and purpose as Rivas began to fade, and it was a big three-pointer from Sottana which made it 74-69 that eventually killed off the Spanish side.

Lavender did a job on the glass for Schio with 12 rebounds and Kurasova finished with 24 points for the losing team.

Quotes Famila Schio vs. Rivas Ecopolis

Rivas head coach Miguel Mendez:
"First of all my congratulations to Famila Schio. We lost playing a great match, I'm proud of my players but we need much more experience. We know that playing in Schio is hard for everyone and we had the chance to close the match but we missed it."

Rivas player Katalin Honti:
"It could have been a great night but we lost against a great team. The match was balanced for 45 minutes and in the most important seconds we lost our chance to win here in Schio."

Schio head coach Maurizio Lasi:
"This is the most important victory in this season: we're in the EuroLeague Women Final Eight, but we're in because we played this match with heart and mentality. We never gave up and gave all we could. Madrid was a great challenger and this gives us even more satisfaction."

Schio player Laura Macchi:
"This win comes in the hardest moment of the season for me and for our team. We are so close to our target and each game must be played as a final. It's what we did tonight. Thanks to all the great people in Schio."

Quotes Famila Schio vs. Rivas Ecopolis

Rivas head coach Miguel Mendez:
"First of all my congratulations to Famila Schio. We lost playing a great match, I'm proud of my players but we need much more experience. We know that playing in Schio is hard for everyone and we had the chance to close the match but we missed it."

Rivas player Katalin Honti:
"It could have been a great night but we lost against a great team. The match was balanced for 45 minutes and in the most important seconds we lost our chance to win here in Schio."

Schio head coach Maurizio Lasi:
"This is the most important victory in this season: we're in the EuroLeague Women Final Eight, but we're in because we played this match with heart and mentality. We never gave up and gave all we could. Madrid was a great challenger and this gives us even more satisfaction."

Schio player Laura Macchi:
"This win comes in the hardest moment of the season for me and for our team. We are so close to our target and each game must be played as a final. It's what we did tonight. Thanks to all the great people in Schio."