Ireland’s Claire Melia has missed out on European glory after her team, Spain’s Baxi Ferrol, suffered a heavy defeat against French outfit Villeneuve d’Ascq in the EuroCup women’s final.
The 25-year-old from Co Kildare put in a strong performance in Wednesday’s second leg final, scoring six points and providing four assists, but Villeneuve ultimately triumphed 84-70.
Trailing by three points after their 78-75 home defeat in last week’s first leg, Ferrol would have still fancied their chances of snatching the title, but the French club dominated from the off this time out.
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Melia, who joined Ferrol last August, helped keep her side in touch in the opening quarter with a two-pointer and three assists, but as the match drew on Villeneuve shot themselves into a commanding lead, ending the first half 42-30 to the good.
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The Monasterevin woman scored two two-pointers in the third quarter, but with the score 55-41 in Villeneuve’s favour at that point, the match and the title looked well beyond Ferrol’s reach.
Showing no let-up in the final quarter, Villeneuve pushed on to win 84-70 (162-145 over the two legs) to be crowned the 2025 EuroCup women’s champions.
