The LF Endesa Super Cup slipped out of the hands of Valencia Basket, which was looking to defend the title, but that was overtaken again by a Spar Girona that was more successful at the last minute. A title that the taronjas fought until the end, but that escapes despite the meritorious victory against Perfumerías in the semifinal and the great match of Raquel Carrera, who reached 18 points and 8 rebounds.
Despite already having a forward like the recently signed Eleanna Christinaki, Rubén Burgos preferred to keep Queralt and Salvadores in the quintet alongside Cristina Ouviña, with Raquel Carrera returning to inside position alongside Lauren Cox.
The start of the game, however, was a jug of cold water for the taronja, who they conceded a 12-3 run in just three minuteswhich forced the coach to stop the match after a triple by Araújo.
Only Salvadores, the best in the semifinal, saw the hoop and although after the timeout Carrera, Queralt and Laia Lamana joined in the success with a triple, Valencia Basket was outclassed in rebounds, assists and shooting percentage to reach the end of the first quarter with a worrying 22- 13 despite losing 13 points minutes before.
Valencia Basket was forced to react in order not to complicate the final and after a scare due to a blow to Cristina Ouviña’s ribs and suffering in the first moments to stop the choral game of the Spar Girona, which came to get 31-16, those of Rubén Burgos increased their defensive intensity, the interiors appeared in the rotation and the distance was reduced until 35-32, with good minutes from Leticia Romero, Awa Fam and Lauren Cox, who took 17 minutes to score after being a nightmare for Girona in the first League match in Fontajau. Laia Flores, after a timeout by Bernat Canut, widened the difference by two points at halftime (37-32).
The panorama changed radically after passing through changing rooms. Marie Gülich and a great Raquel Carrera put the equipment on their backswith the taronja constantly looking for them in the area and after turning the score around, Valencia Basket went to a hopeful 41-47 after a triple by Leticia Romero.
However, the dynamic came to a screeching halt at that point, Cornelius put Girona back in the game with a triple and the subsequent exchange of baskets benefited those of Canutwho were able to equalize the match before starting the last quarter (53-53).
Last quarter of ups and downs
The first points from Etxarri and a triple from Laia Flores once again put the taronja in a complicated situation, but Lauren Cox, Salvadores and again Raquel Carrera with six consecutive points, put Valencia Basket back in the lead despite having problems stopping Shay Murphy. And again there was an exchange of baskets until Queralt Casas, from free throws, made it 64-65 with just over a minute to go.
After a dead time Gardner added a 2+1 after a spectacular individual action that forced Rubén Burgos to ask for time out with a worrying 67-65 on the scoreboard, with 1:03 to play. Ouviña played it on the return to the track but the ball did not enter. Seconds passed and after a good defense that left Girona without a shot, coach Taronja stopped the game again with 33:9 to go. Leticia Romero lost the ball while looking for a quick basket, the taronja were forced to make a foul and Gardner made both free throws. With a four-point deficit and no time-outs available, Gülich went for the triple, but missed it and Spar Girona sentenced again from the free kick after a few last minutes of losses and inaccuracies in the taronjas.
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Goodbye to the LF Endesa Super Cup after an unforgettable finish for Valencia Basket (70-65)