LIVE ŽBL: Ostrava – Slavia Prague – CT sport – Czech Television
The women from Prague definitively surpassed Gambrinus Brno’s previous record from 1998 to 2007. American center Brionna Jones contributed 35 points and 10 rebounds to the reigning champions’ 12th triumph this year.
“It’s amazing. When I came ten years ago, I didn’t even think I’d be here for so long,” trainer Natália Hejková told journalists. “It’s not just about this series, the whole time here is like a dream. In addition to the series in the ŽBL, I also won a title in the Euroleague here. It’s a great end to my career,” added Hejková.
The sixteen-time champions last lost in the league on April 30, 2013, when they lost at home to Brno (then IMOS Brno) 72:73 in the final series. From that moment on, they ruled without hesitation for about ten years, and now they will push their own maximum with each additional win.
“I also remember the last loss. At that time we played 2-0 for the matches and played the third match at home for the title. We lost it in the last seconds after a basket by (Alena) Hanušová and had to travel to Brno. That’s where it all started,” she noted Hejková
Brno’s previous 256-game winning streak lasted from February 1998 to February 2007 and was punctuated by two losses to USK Prague. With this record, Brňany narrowly surpassed the performance of the player from Ružomberok, who won 253 games in a row from 1995 to April 2003.
The women from Prague entered the match in special jerseys, which had the number 257 printed on both sides. Several hundred spectators watched the duel.
“We dealt with the jerseys, but that was probably the only thing. At the moment, we also dealt with Wednesday’s loss in the Euroleague. But nothing more,” said Hejková, who also received two bouquets and a special certificate. “He will stay in the office. I don’t have many walls at home to put him. Maybe just in the hallway,” said Hejková.
Several other milestones also fell in the match. Alyssa Thomas broke the 1,000-point mark in the 73rd match for USK. Before the match, she had 2 on her account, now she is at number 1005. However, Tereza Vyoralová recorded seven assists and crossed the 800 pass mark (82).
“It’s hard to say how long our streak will last. In short, until someone beats us, but we’ll see who,” said Hejková. “It’s a wonderful number, but I started working on it myself ten days ago. I definitely don’t have other numbers in my head yet,” added the Slovakian coach.
After the match with Slovanka, USK will have a home duel in the Europa League next week against Bourges, France. In the competition, they will want to correct the last defeat against Valencia (75:82).
In the men’s home competition, 18-time champion Nymburk holds the record winning streak. But his longest unbeaten streak is “only” 93 duels.
Hundred-hundred-dollar winnings went to Brno as well
Vice-champions Žabiny won the last 105:64 in Trutnov, the Royal Polish team won 103:74 in the Strakonic hall and crossed the hundred-point mark for the first time in the most.
Emma Čechová and Michaela Vacková scored 16 points in the win over Žabin with 23 points. Michaela Gaislerová scored 21 points for the home team.
In Strakonice, six Royal Polish basketball players scored 12 or more points. Kateřina Galíčková led the statistics with 19.