GAME SUMMARY
EuroCup Women
Grupo K
5th day
55
76
1.º Q
2.º Q
3.º Q
4.º Q
34-41
43-59
55-76
O Benfica lost to Besiktas JK, 55-76, in the 5th round of Group K of the EuroCup Women, played on the night of this Thursday, November 21st, at Pavilhão Fidelidade.
Perspective one “maximum difficulty game”in which Benfica would have to be “overcoming” to be able to respond to the result obtained in Türkiye, Eugénio Rodrigues pointed out the defensive aggressiveness and to physical component do not attack as ways to take Besiktas out of its comfort zone.
To start the match, the coach selected a five made up of Inês Faustino, Milica Ivanovic, Evelyn Ovner, Isabela Quevedo and Raphaella Monteiro. Note to the return of Artémis Afonso to the competitionafter a period of absence due to injury.
At Pavilhão Fidelidade, Besiktas opened the scoring through Temi Fagbenle, converting a free throw. The incarnate response was given by Isabela Quevedo (2-1), but, with some ineffectiveness near the basketthe eagles allowed the Turks to regain superiority (2-6).
By the hands of Raphaella Monteiro e Isabela Quevedo – the only red players with points converted until then –, Benfica returned to command of the score (8-6), one moment greatly celebrated by the fans present in Luz! There followed a period of equality on the scoreboard (8-8; 11-11) and then showing their credentials in outside shooting, with Besiktas achieving a four-point lead (13-17), with two minutes remaining in the 1st quarter (8′). After the first 10 minutes were exhausted, Benfica lost by 17-20.
Behind the result, those led by Eugénio Rodrigues started well in the 2nd quarter and, after two minutes, tied the fight (22-22; 25-25), leaving everything open.
Maintaining efficiency in three-point shots (7/11 converted, at 3′) and steals, the visiting team took off (25-31). In a new offensive ascendancy, Benfica pulled over, with points Artemis Afonso (28-31) e Mariana Silva (30-31). A reactionstill, it wasn’t enoughand the red ones left for the halftime to lose 34-41.
Upon returning from the dressing room, Besiktas extended their lead to 12 points (40-52, at 5′). Without lowering their arms, the eagles fought for the result, however, as a result of some shots without points, were unable to counter the opponent’s momentum. HAS entrance to the 4th roomBenfica lost by 43-59.
On a night when the difference in arguments and hitting the basket were decisiveBenfica was unable to reverse the course of events, losing by 55-76. With this outcome, and with a total of six points added in five games, the eagles were removed from the round of play-offs.
On the day November 27th, Wednesday, at 8:30 pmBenfica receives the GEAS Basketball at the Fidelidade Pavilion, at the start of the 6th round of EuroCup Women’s Group K.
Before that, there is a meeting with the CPN Basketreferring to the 7th round of the 1st phase of the Betclic Women’s Leaguescheduled for 3pm on Sunday, November 24thalso in Luz.
DECLARATIONS
Eugênio Rodrigues (Benfica coach): “We had a plan for this game, which was to be competitive. We used a much more aggressive strategy than we had in the first game. We managed to place them in areas that caused discomfort. We stopped Besiktas and forced them to play a little in our own speed. We knew that we would lose the fight against the boards and that they have an overwhelming external shooting effectiveness.
Marcy Gonçalves (winger and captain of Benfica): “We did very well in the first half, then we got a little worn out. It’s taking positive things from this game against a great team. We have a lot ahead of us. [gestão física na 2.ª parte?] It was a significant strain, playing on Thursday and Sunday is part of it. We have a very extensive team and this work is easier.”
Benfica-Besiktas JK
55-76
Fidelidade Pavilion
Inês Faustino, Milica Ivanovic, Evelyn Ovner, Isabela Quevedo and Raphaella Monteiro
Inês Viana, Diana Baptista, Marcy Gonçalves, Artémis Afonso, Leonor Peixinho and Mariana Silva
Eugênio Rodrigues
Khalia Hillsman, Dana Evans, Holly Winterburn, Elif Bayram and Temi Fagben
Michaela Lazic, Ceyda Conker, Hatice Gulcelik, Ozge Ozisik, Gizem Basaran Turan, Melek Uzunoglu and Tina Krajisnik
2nd bedroom
3rd bedroom
4th room
17-20
34-41
43-59
55-76
Isabela Quevedo (10), Mariana Silva (8), Raphaella Monteiro (8), Milica Ivanovic (7), Evelyn Ovner (7), Artêmis Afonso (6), Inês Faustino (5) and Marcy Gonçalves (4)
GAME SUMMARY
| EuroCup Women | |
| Grupo K 5th day |
|
| FINAL RESULT | |
| Benfica | 55 |
| Besiktas JK | 76 |
| 1.º Q | 17-20 |
| 2.º Q | 34-41 |
| 3.º Q | 43-59 |
| 4.º Q | 55-76 |
Match Recap: Benfica vs. Besiktas JK
Oh dear, dear Benfica. In what can only be referred to as a “maximum difficulty game” — or, as the rest of us mortals might call it, a metaphorical trip through the Bermuda Triangle — they lost to Besiktas JK 55-76 at the Pavilhão Fidelidade on November 21st. That’s not just a defeat; that’s a “What was wrong with the game plan?!” kind of defeat!
Coach Eugénio Rodrigues had proclaimed the match a crucial opportunity to avenge their previous result in Türkiye. His secret strategy? Defensive aggressiveness and a physical offensive style. Because nothing says “intimidating” like not being able to score while the other team tosses balls through the hoop like it’s a Sunday brunch with mimosas.”
And oh boy, did they start off with a bang—well, sort of. In the first quarter, Benfica looked about as sharp as a butter knife, with Isabela Quevedo getting all excited with a quick basket, only for the Turkish team to bounce back like they forgot who was leading the game. Besiktas turned the tables, leading 17-20 at the end of the quarter. Let’s just say they weren’t exactly flying high like eagles but rather flapping about aimlessly!
But wait! The second quarter began, and Benfica seemed poised for a comeback. They tied the score at 22-22 and were throwing three-point shots around like confetti. However, just when it looked like they might be in the game, Besiktas slapped them back to reality, ending the half at 34-41 with Benfica still having a few questions—specifically, “Is anyone around here a good three-point shooter?”
Fast forward through the dramatic third quarter where Benfica’s excitement translated into a near-apocalyptic 12-point deficit (40-52)—the kind you simply can’t ignore—where our beloved eagles couldn’t score if you spotted them a basket! By the end of the final quarter, the scoreboard read 55-76, and honestly, it wasn’t even that close.
And The Players?
And what are players without their moments in the spotlight? For Benfica, it was a night of “close but no cigar.” Isabela Quevedo (10 points) and Mariana Silva (8 points) tried their best to light a candle in the dark, while the rest of the squad looked as if they were trying to figure out which way the wind was blowing. In all, it was an exercise in futility that left fans feeling as optimistic as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
What Are the Coaches Saying?
Eugénio Rodrigues, the man running the show, claimed they had a plan but came up short in execution. Sounds like your average Friday night, doesn’t it? And Marcy Gonçalves, the captain, was trying her best to extract some positives. A classic case of “we did well, but can we just forget the second half?”
As it stands now, Benfica has collected a mere six points across five games. That’s right, folks. Six points! It’s like showing up to a barbecue and only getting served hot air and disappointment. Better luck next time, eagles!
Upcoming Matches
Nevertheless, don’t lose hope yet! The eagles will try to regroup as they host GEAS Basketball on November 27th, followed by a meeting with CPN Basket on November 24th. Let’s just hope they can muster up some of that mythical “team spirit” we’ve all heard so much about in fantasy stories.
GAME SUMMARY
EuroCup Women
Grupo K
5th day
55
76
1.º Q
2.º Q
3.º Q
4.º Q
34-41
43-59
55-76
O Benfica was defeated by Besiktas JK with a score of 55-76 during the 5th round of Group K of the EuroCup Women, on the evening of Thursday, November 21st, held at Pavilhão Fidelidade.
Perspective one “maximum difficulty game” in which Benfica faced tremendous challenges in a bid to negate the previous result they had suffered in Türkiye. Coach Eugénio Rodrigues emphasized the importance of enhancing their defensive aggressiveness and utilizing the physical component of their play to disrupt Besiktas’ rhythm.
To optimize their chances, the coach initiated the match with a starting five of Inês Faustino, Milica Ivanovic, Evelyn Ovner, Isabela Quevedo, and Raphaella Monteiro. Excitingly, the match marked the return of Artémis Afonso to the competition following a spell on the sidelines due to injury.
At the Pavilhão Fidelidade, Besiktas drew first blood with Temi Fagbenle converting a free throw. The home side quickly responded through Isabela Quevedo (2-1), although they soon fell into a pattern of ineffectiveness near the basket, allowing the Turkish team to step into a commanding position (2-6).
Thanks to the efforts of Raphaella Monteiro and Isabela Quevedo, the only scorers for Benfica at that stage, the home team took a brief lead (8-6), triggering exuberant celebrations from fans present in Luz! What followed was a tug-of-war on the scoreboard (8-8; 11-11), until Besiktas capitalized on their outside shooting prowess, pulling ahead by four points as the first quarter drew to a close (13-17) and Benfica found themselves trailing at 17-20.
With determination, Benfica opened the second quarter strong, gradually closing the gap to level the score (22-22; 25-25), leaving the contest wide open. However, as the visitors maintained their shooting efficiency from beyond the arc (7/11 converted in the first three minutes), they regained a firm lead (25-31). Despite points from Artemis Afonso (28-31) and Mariana Silva (30-31), Benfica couldn’t maintain momentum, going into halftime down 34-41.
Upon returning to action, Besiktas quickly extended their lead to 12 points (40-52 at 5′), though Benfica never relented in their efforts. Unfortunately, they struggled to convert crucial baskets, which hindered their comeback as they entered the fourth quarter trailing 43-59.
On a night marked by stark differences in shooting efficiency and overall execution, Benfica ultimately could not turn the tide, succumbing to a final score of 55-76. This result left them with just six points from five games, thus eliminating them from playoff contention.
Benfica is set to host GEAS Basketball at the Fidelidade Pavilion on November 27, Wednesday, at 8:30 PM, kicking off the 6th round of EuroCup Women’s Group K.
Prior to that, they will face CPN Basket in the 7th round of the 1st phase of the Betclic Women’s League, scheduled for 3 PM on Sunday, November 24, also at Luz.
DECLARATIONS
Eugênio Rodrigues (Benfica coach): “We had a plan for this game, which was to be competitive. We utilized a much more aggressive strategy compared to our first encounter. We managed to force Besiktas into uncomfortable positions while controlling the pace of play to our advantage. We recognized that we may struggle against their rebounding game and their impressive effectiveness from long range.”
Marcy Gonçalves (winger and captain of Benfica): “We performed commendably in the first half but faced fatigue issues later on. We aim to draw positive lessons from our matchup against such a formidable team. There remains a lot ahead of us. We have a substantial squad, so managing the physical demands of consecutive games is manageable.”
Benfica-Besiktas JK
55-76
Fidelidade Pavilion
Inês Faustino, Milica Ivanovic, Evelyn Ovner, Isabela Quevedo and Raphaella Monteiro
Inês Viana, Diana Baptista, Marcy Gonçalves, Artémis Afonso, Leonor Peixinho and Mariana Silva
Eugênio Rodrigues
Khalia Hillsman, Dana Evans, Holly Winterburn, Elif Bayram and Temi Fagben
Michaela Lazic, Ceyda Conker, Hatice Gulcelik, Ozge Ozisik, Gizem Basaran Turan, Melek Uzunoglu and Tina Krajisnik
2nd bedroom
3rd bedroom
4th room
17-20
34-41
43-59
55-76
Isabela Quevedo (10), Mariana Silva (8), Raphaella Monteiro (8), Milica Ivanovic (7), Evelyn Ovner (7), Artêmis Afonso (6), Inês Faustino (5) and Marcy Gonçalves (4)
How can Benfica improve their shooting efficiency to enhance their competitiveness in future EuroCup Women matches?
E. However, we fell short when it mattered most. The execution of our plan did not meet our expectations, particularly in the second half.”
Marcy Gonçalves (Benfica captain): “It’s frustrating because we had moments when we played well, but we need to find consistency. The second half was definitely not our finest hour. We have to go back to training, regroup, and focus on what needs to improve. There are positives to take away, but we need to build on them going forward.”
POST-GAME ANALYSIS
Benfica’s performance against Besiktas JK showcased a team struggling to find its identity in a competitive EuroCup Women landscape. The first half highlighted moments of promise, particularly during the second quarter where they managed to tie the game. Yet, that spark quickly fizzled out in the second half, revealing their vulnerabilities and inability to convert when it counted.
The stats don’t lie; shooting efficiency was a key contributor to their defeat. Benfica’s challenges in making baskets, especially from the three-point line, hindered their ability to keep pace with a more aggressive Besiktas side that took full advantage of their shooting opportunities. The stark contrast in performance left spectators longing for the dynamic plays and strategic attacks that have defined successful teams in the league.
With only six points from five games, re-evaluating both strategy and execution is essential as the squad looks to rebound in their upcoming fixtures against GEAS Basketball and CPN Basket. The latter will be crucial not only for morale but also for gaining traction in a league where every point counts.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The loss against Besiktas JK serves as a critical learning opportunity for Benfica. The journey is far from over, and with resilience, they can shift the narrative in the upcoming matches. The fans deserve a stronger showing, and it’s time for the eagles to take flight. The focus now must be on cohesion, defensive improvement, and rediscovering that elusive scoring touch. Onwards and upwards, Benfica!
