Queen’s Cup champions. It seems so. He Casademont Zaragoza Made history by defeating Perfumerías Avenida to claim the club’s first major title in its twenty-year existence, a 54-51 victory that felt like a perfect Cup and a citywide celebration. The Zaragoza squad rose as undisputed queens, breaking attendance records with ten thousand eight hundred fans. The tournament had a remarkable arc: a strong opening win over Araski, a Valencia rally that trimmed a double-digit lead, and a dramatic final against Perfumerías Avenida that capped the run with a memorable finish.
Banco Zaragoza’s legacy continues with a new chapter. Twenty-three years after the early actions of Karina Rodríguez, Pilar Valero, and their team, the Aragonese community remembered a fallen star while Casademont Zaragoza carried the banner forward, opening a new window of opportunity for the club.
This marks the third major title in Aragonese women’s sports under Banco Zaragoza, following a league triumph by CH Jaca just weeks earlier. Women’s sports are asserting themselves across the region, turning Aragon into a proud focal point for achievement. These athletes lead the charge, compete with grit, and rarely disappoint. Casademont Zaragoza has captured the affection of a city that witnessed a team fully committed to the game and to greatness.
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– Casademont Zaragoza (@CasademontZGZ) April 2, 2023
The Cup title signals a firm plan rather than a final pinnacle. This win confirms Casademont Zaragoza as a team with a clear future, having renewed the backbone of the squad and reinforced its star, Leo Fiebich. The victory also secures a place in the next Euroleague, showing the club’s determination to build on this momentum for years to come.
Casademont Zaragoza again demonstrated resilience in the face of pressure, sticking to its game and fighting through tense moments. Gatling was a standout for most of the playoff, even with Vega Gimeno and star Helena Oma unavailable. The supporting crowd, a sixth player, created an unmistakable atmosphere that made it easy to feel the city’s connection to the team. The devotion of Mara, Nguirane, and Justiz, who joined the marching band, underscored the collective pride surrounding the club.
maximum equality
From the outset, parity defined the game. Fouls and defensive pressure kept scoring modest, and neither side could seize a large advantage. The opening stretch finished with a tight 12-14 score in favor of the challengers. The pace remained brisk, with a constant tug-of-war as both teams pursued control.
The clash tilted toward Gatling, who contributed ten points and seven rebounds by halftime. Reisingerova added a personal three fouls column, and a controversial call on offense earned her a couple of whistles. Casademont Zaragoza leaned on Gatling for offense while Leo struggled to find consistency from outside, and Vega was forced to sit due to foul trouble. Yet defensively, the Aragonians elevated their game, securing crucial rebounds to limit Perfumerías Avenida’s chances.
With the scoreboard stuck on a draw at 24, the first half ended in a moment that reflected both teams’ resolve. Casademont Zaragoza emerged to stay competitive, proving that the Queens of the Cup would consider every challenge and meet it head-on. The fans recognized the effort of a team that had already faced the champions of eight of the last eleven titles and still pressed on. Avenida presented a slightly more grounded version of itself, but Cantero’s squad answered with equal intensity from the opening minutes.
Vega’s expulsion
The third quarter brought a turning point as Avenida grabbed a lead of 25-34 when Vega Gimeno left the floor after both an unsportsmanlike act and a technical foul. The moment stung the captain, who shed tears in the stands. Yet Casademont did not flinch. Three quick three-pointers sparked a run that brought the score to 37-42 as the quarter closed with Casademont charging forward.
The final period delivered a roller-coaster sequence. After Vilaró drew a technical and then Villaró delivered a series of late efforts, Casademont’s coach was met with a charged moment, but the team responded with poise. The hosts moved into a seven-point lead, 49-42, with five minutes left. Avenida trimmed the gap to 52-50 with 19 seconds remaining, but the champions found a way to seal the victory, writing their name in Cup history with a display of focus, unity, and no-nonsense execution.
Data sheet
Casademont Zaragoza: Mariona Ortiz (1), Oma (14), Fiebich (7), Vega Gimeno (6), Gatling (18) –top five–, Tate (6), Grande, Lara González, Geldof and Gracia Alonso (3).
Perfumería Avenida: Maite Cazorla (5), Vilaró (2), Carleton (13), Onyenwere (7), Reisingerova –top five–, Leo Rodríguez (4), Silvia Domínguez (5), Prince (5) and Fasoula (10).
Partial: 12-14, 12-10, 13-18, 18-9.
Referees: Carlos Garcia, Sandra Sanchez and Javier Avila.
Notes: Vega Gimeno (m.24), Reisingerova (m.32) and Fasoula (m.40) did not play.
Event: The Copa de la Reina final drew roughly 10,000 spectators at the Príncipe Felipe de Zaragoza pavilion. Helena Oma was named player of the match.