Estepona, who will play their second season in Spain’s top division this year, entered the European tournament’s qualifying round after emerging as one of last season’s surprise teams. As a result, they began the new campaign with their first continental adventure, which has ended prematurely after GEAS Basket proved superior over two legs.
The tie began last week in Malaga, where the Italian side won 65-76. The game was level heading into the fourth quarter, but the visitors were able to break it open in the decisive 10 minutes. An 11-22 run gave GEAS Basket an 11-point lead, leaving Estepona on the ropes before the return leg.
The Malaga side lost both games against GEAS Basket. Photo: FIBA
Needing to overturn the deficit, the second leg was played in Italy this past Wednesday, but it again ended in an Italian victory. GEAS Basket won 76-71 and gave the Andalusian team no chance of turning the tie around. As a result, the Italian side wrapped up the series with a 16-point aggregate advantage and left Estepona just short of the EuroCup group stage.
FIRST LEAGUE GAME
Following their European elimination, the Malaga side will focus solely on domestic competition after missing out on a European place in their continental debut. Their next game, and first in the Liga Femenina Endesa, will take place this coming Sunday at the Príncipe Felipe (12:15 p.m.).
Casademont will therefore host the team coached by César Aneas while fully immersed in the situation surrounding Mariona Ortiz, who is set to leave the red-and-black club for the emerging new Project B venture. With uncertainty over when the captain and key figure will depart the club, Carlos Cantero’s team will look to claim their first official win of the year after the disappointment of the Spanish Super Cup, where they lost to Valencia in the semifinals.
