NEU women in cup glory
THE TRNC’S Near East University (NEU) women’s basketball team are on course for an impressive treble after they won the first leg of their EuroLeague quarter-final — just three days after scooping the Turkish Cup for the second year running.
The team — which is barred by the sport’s governing body Fiba from hosting matches in North Cyprus following pressure from Greek Cypriot sports authorities — beat Bourges Basket 83-67 on Wednesday at İstanbul’s Caferağa Sports Hall.
They needed a 17-2 “burst” in the second half of the game to defeat their French opponents, who had threatened an upset for much of the first 30 minutes.
The teams will meet again in France on Wednesday night, followed by a third clash in Turkey on March 14.
If NEU, who won 12 of their 14 EuroLeague group games, emerge victorious overall from the three ties, they will progress to the semi-finals on April 22, with the final and thirdplace play-off taking place two days later.
On Sunday NEU retained the Turkish Cup after overcoming Hatay Greater Municipality 86-79 in the final at the Mardin Artuklu arena.
Star of the game was NEU’s Courtney Vandersloot, who notched up 19 points, four rebounds and 12 assists.
The team was presented with the silverware by Turkish Basketball Federation president and NBA legend Hidayet Türkoğlu.
NEU had disposed of Abdullah Gül University 8853 in the quarter-finals of the knockout tournament and Botaş Spor 79-63 in the semi-finals.
Head coach Zafer Kalaycoğlu said that he was “delighted” with his team’s achievements
The triumph brought to five the number of trophies in NEU’s cabinet, following last year’s haul which also included the Turkish league title, the EuroCup and the 25th President’s Cup.
NEU are currently top of the Turkish Women’s Super League on 34 points, with 17 wins from 18 matches.