Spar Girona prepares for "war of spaces" in Istanbul aiming to overturn 14-point deficit

Roberto Íñiguez's team needs a decisive victory against Galatasaray to secure the leadership of EuroLeague Women Group E.

Generic image of a women's EuroLeague basketball match, showing players in action.
IA

Generic image of a women's EuroLeague basketball match, showing players in action.

Spar Girona coach Roberto Íñiguez confirmed that the team travels to Istanbul this Wednesday with the clear objective of defeating Galatasaray by 14 points or more to secure the leadership of Group E.

Although qualification for the Final Six is already secured, Spar Girona faces a crucial direct clash in Turkey that will determine the final group standings. Achieving first place is vital, as it would define whether the opponent in the semifinal play-in will be Landes or the powerful Fenerbahçe. The victory must be by 14 points or more to compensate for the negative average following the 68-82 defeat at Fontajau.

"We are not going to Istanbul on vacation, that is crystal clear. The staff has been working since last night and today we have all done it together. It is very important to convey to the players what we will have to do in a simple way and try."

Roberto Íñiguez · Spar Girona Coach
Íñiguez highlighted the need to maintain discipline and confidence in the team's play, despite the difficulty of the venue. The coach referred to the first leg match at Fontajau, where they lost, but considered they played a "great game" despite absences. He noted that the return of Mariam Coulibaly changes the scenario, although the team significantly feels the absence of any of the ten main players.
The coach from Vitoria also wanted to introduce a "point of realism" regarding the physical situation of the squad. He mentioned the case of Marta Canella, who is not one hundred percent due to a contusion and needs protection. Íñiguez praised the effort of his players, stating that they are achieving a "small miracle" by always competing at the highest level.