After falling to Gernika (84-81) in a game marked by the absences on the red-and-black side and the Basque team’s greater level of preparation, Sunday’s game comes after Casademont won the first showdown in Ejea de los Caballeros against Athinaikos. The Aragonese side prevailed 66-58 in a low-scoring game that began evenly and opened up after halftime, when Cantero’s team found greater accuracy to build a 17-point lead. The Greek side responded in the final quarter, but the red-and-black team managed to preserve its advantage and claim its first preseason win.
The game, held last Friday, also marked the return of three important players. Mariona Ortiz, Helena Oma and Veronika Vorackova returned to action after their international commitments and made a positive impression on their comebacks. Mariona took charge of the team at different moments, while Vorackova confirmed the strong form she brought back to Zaragoza. Oma also saw minutes and regained her rhythm within a roster that still cannot add Bankolé and Fingall, who are playing in the WNBA.
Among the standout performers in the first showdown against the reigning Greek league and cup champions and EuroCup runners-up was Kristine Vitola, who finished as the red-and-black team’s leading scorer with 13 points and once again showed her ability to cause damage from different positions. Yarden Garzon also played an important role with 11 points and an outside threat, while Nerea Hermosa and Aisha Sheppard contributed at different stages of the game.
THE REUNION WITH THE RED TIDE
The setting now changes completely. The Príncipe Felipe will host the women’s team for the first time this season during a presentation day that will begin in the morning with the men’s game against UCAM Murcia and continue in the afternoon with the matchup against Athinaikos. The opening game will also serve as an opportunity to honor Mariona Ortiz and Helena Oma before tip-off for the medals they won with Spain.
In this way, the second showdown against Athinaikos will provide another opportunity to shape the team ahead of the Super Cup, scheduled for the final weekend of September. Even so, the second game against the Greek side will not be the final stop in their preparations, as Carlos Cantero’s team will play its last friendly on Wednesday, September 23, against Azul Marino New Travel in Torres de Berrellén.
