Euroleague Women all star games went to Europe
Becky Hammon is MVP and winner of the three-point shooting contest

The FIBA Europe 4th EuroLeague Women all star game was won by Europe (101-78) against the Rest of the World.

Becky Hammon, playing for Europe, was awarded the trophy as MVP after leading the scoring with 24 points which included 6-from-7 from beyond the arc.

However it was Sylvia Fowles (right) who stole the headlines two minutes into the third quarter with a steal at mid court. This enabled her to run down the court for a single-handed dunk.

She told everybody after the game about the dunk: "It’s all about the fans and making sure everybody has a good time."

The fans were treated to some good basketball as both sides put up a good show: cross-over, alley-oops, three-point shooting and the occasional block.

EuroLeague Women all star game report

In the first quarter the game was played at a quick pace with both teams trading baskets.

The lead was changing hands on several occasions with Europe coming out on top (27-26).

All the same it was Lindsey Whalen from the Rest of the World who stole the limelight during the first period with 9 points by her unselfish play.

The two sides played open free-flowing basketball. So there was very little physical contact as the players continued their lively exchange with Europe maintaining the advantage (41-38) with 18 minutes played.

Europe then stepped up the accelerator and scored 11 unanswered points before the interval (50-38).

EuroLeague Women's all star game three-point shooting contest

The players did not go to the locker room at the interval but stayed on court to support the six players that took part in the three-point shooting contest.

Alana Beard, Céline Dumerc, Evanthia Maltsi and Tamika Whitmore were eliminated in the first round.

Hammon (left) then went on to beat Sheana Mosch in the final 7-5 to claim the title that was won last year by her team mate at CSKA Moscow Edwige Lawson-Wade.

Watch the three-point contest here.

Second half of game

Europe quickly got into their stride for the second half and increased their advantage (57-43).

With 8:40 left to play in the third period Fowles made her dunk. The game was interrupted after that for a presentation ceremony. But once the game resumed the Rest of World took over and with Beard (right) on fire her side reduced the deficit to 2 points (63-65) with 90 seconds to play in the third period.

Jelena Milovanovic put an end to the Rest of the World fight back with a trey for Europe to go into the final period leading (68-63).

Europe quickly put an end to the game as a contest with a festival of three-pointers. Hence they opened up a 20-point lead (85-65).

However the two teams continued to put on a show as all the players with the exception of Cathy Melain got on the score sheet.

EuroLeague Women all star game score sheet

Europe

4: Jelena Milovanovic - 13 points
5: Céline Dumerc - 8 points, 4 assists
6: Cathy Melain - 0 points, 2 assists
7: Becky Hammon - 24 points
8: Shay Doron - 7 points, 6 assists
12: Ann Wauters - 4 points, 7 rebounds
13: Anna Vajda - 16 points
14: Anastasiya Veremeenko - 4 points
15: Nevriye Yilmaz - 10 points
16: Géraldine Robert - 8 points, 10 rebounds

Rest of the World

4: Alessandra Santos - 2 points
5: Laura Ashley Harper - 4 points
6: Candice Dupree - 12 points
7: Sheana Mosch - 3 points
8: Dominique Canty - 5 points, 6 assists
9: Alana Beard - 17 points
10: Tamika Whitmore - 7 points
11: Crystal Langhorne - 2 points, 7 rebounds
12: Bernadette Ngoyisa - 5 points
14: Lindsay Whalen - 11 points, 4 steals
15: Sylvia Fowles - 10 points

EuroLeague Women all star event comments

Géraldine Robert explained that she had enjoyed every second of this all star weekend. It was a great experience and the organisation was perfect.

Cathy Melain is of the opinion that the all star game should stay on the basketball calendar for the future. It is another means of attracting the general public and getting more people interested in women’s basketball.

Ann Wauters added that they could not do better than this in promoting women’s basketball. The organisation was perfect.

All the players had a good time and the interaction with the fans was great.

Céline Dumerc compared her experience with last year's all star game and concluded that Paris was much better. She explained that there was a lot more activaties during the match to get people involved. This was an excellent event to promote women's basketball.

For Candice Dupree just being part of the EuroLeague Women all star game was great. The fact that you can get some of the best players in the world together for a weekend like this is great for women playing basketball. On a personal note she enjoyed her time in Paris and hopes to come back soon.

Dominque Canty said that it was a fantastic experience and luck to have this event in Paris. The dunk of Sylvia was great and that these type of show will help women’s basketball.

Slyvia Fowles will play at all star game

How to watch the all star game

See original all star roster

Return to Women playing basketball blog

Return EuroLeague Women season 2008-09 Index page

picture credits:
FIBA Europe

Date created: 08 March 2009