The vibes were electric, the stakes were sky-high, and ZVVZ USK Praha showed up ready to write history. In a gritty, grind-it-out battle, Praha knocked off ÇBK Mersin 66–53 to claim their second EuroLeague Women championship, with Brionna Jones once again putting the squad on her back like a true finals MVP.
This wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. Praha went from underdogs to undeniable in the span of a week. Let’s break it down.
First Quarter: Set the Tone Early
Praha wasted no time asserting their dominance. They opened the game with a laser-focused offensive rhythm and a locked-in defense, racing to a 24–17 lead in the first quarter. You could see it in the body language—they were sharper, quicker, hungrier.
Brionna Jones got going early with easy buckets inside, while Teja Oblak controlled the pace like a seasoned floor general. ÇBK Mersin looked flat by comparison, struggling to create clean looks and turning the ball over under Praha’s suffocating pressure.
Second Quarter: Defense Wins Championships
The second quarter was all about defense. Praha tightened up their rotations and held Mersin to just 12 points. Valériane Ayayi and Maria Conde were flying around the perimeter, closing out hard and forcing contested shots.
On the offensive side, Praha kept it simple—smart ball movement, drive-and-kicks, and post touches for Jones. By halftime, they had built a solid 42–29 lead, and the crowd could feel the momentum tilting.
Third Quarter: Mersin’s Push, Praha’s Response
ÇBK Mersin wasn’t just gonna roll over. They came out of halftime with serious intensity, led by Natasha Howard and Iliana Rupert, who started attacking the paint and crashing the boards. In fact, Praha went cold—like eight minutes without a field goal cold. Mersin used that drought to tie the game at 42–42 midway through the third.
But champions respond, and that’s exactly what Praha did. Oblak knocked down a big mid-range jumper, Ayayi buried a three, and Brionna Jones grabbed a couple of clutch rebounds to spark a 7–0 run that gave Praha breathing room again.
Fourth Quarter: Ice in Their Veins
In the final frame, it was clear: Praha wasn’t going to let this one slip. Vyoralová dropped five straight points to stretch the lead, and from there, they just locked in. Mersin couldn’t get into a rhythm, and Praha made them pay for every mistake.
Brionna Jones kept dominating inside, but it was the collective defense that really sealed it. From weak-side blocks to defensive rebounds to drawing charges, Praha made sure the last 10 minutes were all about control and composure.
When the buzzer sounded and the scoreboard read 66–53, the celebration was on. Praha players hugged, danced, and even shed a few tears. They weren’t just EuroLeague champs—they were survivors, disruptors, and ultimate hoopers.
Finals MVP: Brionna Jones
Say it louder for the people in the back: Brionna. Freakin’. Jones.
She dropped 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks in the championship game, finishing the Final Six averaging over 25 PPG and 12 RPG. Her presence in the paint made life miserable for every opponent, and her efficiency—shooting above 60% from the field all tournament—was off the charts.
Her performance wasn’t just stat-padding—it was clutch, physical, and mentally elite. Jones has officially entered all-time EuroLeague great territory.
Notable Contributions
- Teja Oblak (Praha): 12 pts, 6 ast – Controlled tempo, found her shooters, and hit timely shots.
- Valériane Ayayi (Praha): 11 pts, 3 3PM – Brought the spacing and playoff poise.
- Natasha Howard (Mersin): 19 pts, 8 reb – Gave it everything she had. Just didn’t have enough help.
- Iliana Rupert (Mersin): 11 pts, 2 blk – Solid two-way performance but struggled with foul trouble.
What This Win Means for Praha
This is ZVVZ USK Praha’s second EuroLeague Women title, the first coming back in 2006. But this one hits different. They didn’t come in as favorites. They were 5–5 in the group stage. They had to win a play-in game. Then they beat Schio, blew out defending champs Fenerbahçe, and topped it off by locking down Mersin in the final.
Head coach Natalia Hejkova deserves her flowers too—she’s now the most decorated coach in EuroLeague Women history with six titles.
This win is validation. It’s proof that chemistry, trust, and grit can outshine big names and bigger budgets.
Cinderella Turned Contender
ZVVZ USK Praha’s 2025 title run is everything we love about sports. A team counted out early, refusing to fold. A superstar rising to the occasion. A group of players buying into their roles and delivering on the biggest stage.
Meanwhile, Mersin’s journey shouldn’t be overlooked either—they battled through tough wins and showed they belong in the EuroLeague elite. But this year? It was Praha’s time.
From Zaragoza to basketball Twitter, the timeline is all Brionna Jones and the Czech squad—and deservedly so.