Madeiran lifts the Portuguese women’s basketball Cup with Benfica (video)

Keilanei Cooper, with 14 points, and Letícia Soares, with 15 rebounds and 11 points, were decisive among the Benfica fans, who even started to lose.

The first two points went to Barreiro’s team, but only then did GDESSA, national champion, take the lead. Benfica started better, strong in offensive rebounds and much more effective in shots, and launched into a performance that always guaranteed control of the operations.

Driven by Keilanei Cooper, Isabela Quevedo and Letícia Soares, the ‘reds’ reached the end of the first period ahead by three points, standing out for their ability to achieve goals in the opposite ‘garrafão’.

A triple from Artemis Afonso, just opening the second period, shot the lead to six points and set the tone for 10 minutes that launched Benfica into a very consistent phase.

GDESSA showed difficulties in approaching the basket and only nearing rest did it regain its balance a little.

Benfica made good use of the opponents’ mistakes to hold on and even increase the difference, highlighting the collective understanding, always with Isabela Quevedo thrown to the basket and, equally, an excellent record in triple attempts.

Better in shots, rebounds and assists, the team led by Eugénio Rodrigues reached the break with a result that mirrored this supremacy, with nine points in favor (35-26).

Barreiro’s team tried to react and reduced the difference to six points. Krystal Freeman appeared more in the game and GDESSA improved, recovering in rebounds and the number of shots.

But Benfica responded immediately, especially through Letícia Soares, who injected a dose of extra energy that gave the ‘reds’ a new balance and an even more reinforced lead: 11 points at the end of the third period.

Looking for the fourth Portuguese Cup and after having won the Federation Cup this season precisely against Benfica, GDESSA had a difficult task for the final period.

The mission of André Martins’ team became even more complicated after two triples converted by Artemis Afonso, which further increased the scorer’s numbers and lowered the Barreirenses’ spirit.

The fourth period, with 14-6 for the Benfica fans, crowned the superiority of Eugénio Rodrigues’ team and punished many of GDESSA’s mistakes, setting the result at 61-42, which earned Benfica the third women’s basketball Cup of Portugal.

Game played at Palácio dos Desportos Helena Sentieiro, in Torres Novas.

Benfica – GDESSA Barreiro, 61-42.

At halftime: 35-26.

Under the refereeing of Vicente Jardim, Ricardo Severino and Marta Perdigão, the teams lined up and scored:

– Benfica: Keilanei Cooper (14), Sara Iparragirre (2), Isabela Quevedo (11), Letícia Soares (11) and Raphaela Monteiro (8). Artemis Afonso (10), Marta Martins (2), Marcy Gonçalves (3), Carolina Cruz, Diana Baptista, Magda Freire and Ema Karim also played.

Coach: Eugénio Rodrigues.

– GDESSA Barreiro: Maianca Umabano (6), Milica Ivanovic (7), Márcia Costa Robalo (11), Krystal Freeman (13) and Magdalena Szajtauer (4). Emília Ferreira (1), Joana Lopes, Catarina Neves, Milena Sucacuexe, Marta Junho and Letícia Cruz also played.

Coach: André Martins.

Scorer march: 06-05 (05 minutes), 17-14 (first period), 22-18 (15 minutes), 35-26 (halftime), 40-30 (25 minutes), 47-36 (third period) , 55-42 (35 minutes) and 61-42 (final result).

Attendance: Around 700 spectators.

Lusa