Benfica’s women’s basketball team stepped onto the EuroCup stage for the very first time. They put up a valiant fight in their debut, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win. The Portuguese side hosted Spain’s Baxi Ferrol and ultimately fell short, losing 64-55 in the opening round of Group K.
The game itself was a close-knit affair from start to finish. Baxi Ferrol managed to stay just ahead for most of the contest. They held a slim lead at halftime, going into the break up 33-29. The Spanish visitors edged out Benfica in the first two quarters, scoring 17-14 and 16-15 respectively.
Despite being the national two-time champions, Benfica never threw in the towel. They battled hard throughout the second half, refusing to let the game slip away easily. However, Baxi Ferrol showed more composure when it mattered most. The Spanish squad closed out the game by winning the third period 16-15 and the final period 12-8, sealing their victory.
For the Eagles, Letícia Soares was the undisputed star of the night. She led all scorers for Benfica with an impressive 19 points. Soares also grabbed 6 rebounds, dished out 2 assists, and swiped 2 steals, showcasing her all-around game. Zuzanna Puc provided strong support, adding 14 points, pulling down 9 rebounds, and contributing 2 assists of her own.
In the other Group K match, Polish team Sosnowiec clinched a decisive home victory. They defeated Czech side Ostrava 86-69. These results place Sosnowiec at the top of the standings with 2 points, closely followed by Baxi Ferrol, who also have 2 points. Benfica currently sits in third place with 1 point, while Ostrava is fourth, also with 1 point.