There have been numerous storylines coming into the scheduled Oct. 2 SuperCup Ladies title recreation between Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe, the EuroCup and the EuroLeague winners, in each crew’s hometown of Istanbul, Turkey. These included:
- How will Nika Mühl carry out in her first recreation for Beşiktaş following her restricted WNBA rookie expertise with the Seattle Storm?
- Will her Storm teammate, Fenerbahçe’s Gabby Williams, again on European soil, revive her unbelievable Olympic efficiency for her new crew?
- Regardless of their roster being removed from full, will Fenerbahçe nonetheless dominate towards the native rivals?
- Will Besiktas get their first win of the season after three-straight opening losses?
After an hour-long wait it was determined that the sport was to be replayed the following day at 3 p.m. native time in an empty area. The unbelievable derby ambiance, with fixed chants and songs, with followers clapping their palms and banging the drums, was now not an element, which left us stripped of an integral factor of high Istanbul groups taking part in towards each other. For these unfamiliar with the time period, the derby is a rivalry recreation between two native groups. There’s historical past, animosity and fervour concerned. Typically an excessive amount of ardour, as evidenced by the followers’ actions through the scheduled contest. The organizers punished not solely the followers within the stands, but additionally these at dwelling, in addition to the gamers.
As for the sport itself, Fenerbahçe triumphed 79-63. However the first half the sport was shut, with Beşiktaş up by 4 factors at halftime. After the break, although, regardless of former Texas A&M standout Khaalia Hillsman dominating within the put up (20 factors, 11 rebounds), the Black Eagles of Beşiktaş couldn’t maintain onto the lead. Issues acquired particularly unhappy when Mühl fell to the ground after touchdown awkwardly within the third quarter. The no-contact harm, which not solely required Mühl to be assisted off the ground, however left her watching the remainder of the competitors with tears in her eyes, was particularly painful to witness in an empty area, when her scream stuffed the area that may’ve been in any other case occupied by a number of the loudest followers in Europe.
Emma Meesseman was as good as ever for Fenerbahçe, passing the ball and scoring inconceivable baskets. Williams slot in properly, contributing in each offensive side of the sport (11 factors, seven rebounds, 5 assists) for her new crew. Sevgi Uzun, coming off her debut WNBA season for the Dallas Wings, scored 15 factors, had two assists and two steals for the victors. Too unhealthy Fener’s well-deserved win was, on the similar time, a major loss for the organizers and the followers.
