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London Lions Women made British basketball history on Tuesday night by becoming the first team – male or female – from these Isles to reach a European final.
Playing in the EuroCup Women semi-finals against Umana Reyer Venezia, the Lions went into their second leg at the Copper Box Arena with a one-point lead after beating the Italian outfit 69-68 on their patch.
And on home soil, Stella Kaltsidou’s side backed up that victory with another memorable performance as they triumphed 71-59 to win 140-127 on aggregate.
After a close first half, which saw the Lions trail 33-31 at the interval, the hosts went on a 16-3 run in the third quarter to pull away.
London made four-straight three-pointers during the third quarter – with two pivotal sH๏τs from Holly Winterburn in that sequence.
London Lions Women’s side roar with delight after a historic night for British Basketball
They became the British first side – male or female – to reach a European final after a fine EuroCup Women semi second-leg outing vs Umana Reyer Venezia at the Copper Box Arena
WE’RE THE FIRST BRITISH TEAM TO REACH A EUROPEAN FINAL! 🇬🇧🦁@EuroCupWomen | #WeAreLondon #EuroCupWomen #HearOurRoar pic.twitter.com/yApTETLwKr
— London Lions (@londonlionsw) March 12, 2024 READ MORE: LAST SEASON’S LOWDOWN ON THE MEN’S SIDE Advertisement
The 23-year-old guard was a constant thorn in Venezia’s defence and finished with 17 points, five assists and four rebounds.
Her team-mate Temi Fagbenle had 14 points and nine rebounds, while Megan Gustafson added 19 points.
For the beaten visitors, Jessica Shepard was their star – finishing on a game-high 21 points in addition to 13 rebounds for a big double-double.
The win continues a stunning season for the Lions who became the first British team ever to win in their group, en route to reaching the final. They also boast a 100 per cent record in the Women’s British Basketball League after winning all 12 of their matches to date.
Holly Winterburn ended with 17 points, five ᴀssists and four rebounds for the Lions on Tuesday
HISTORY 📚A decisive 71-59 success in front of an incredible British basketball crowd lead @londonlionsw to their first-ever #EuroCupWomen Finals!⚡️ 📺 Enjoy the full highlights of the game! pic.twitter.com/qD37hjt3Tp
— EuroCup Women (@EuroCupWomen) March 13, 2024
They will now face either Spar Girona or Turkey’s Besiktas in the two-legged EuroCup Women’s showpiece. The latter take a 21-point lead into Thursday’s semi-final second leg in Italy
The Lions will play the first leg of their final away at the winner on April 3, before bringing them back to the Copper Box Arena for the decider on April 10.
