Sparta Bertrange controlled its W-U19 Division 2 Phase 2 opener in Larochette, 63-46 over Arantia. After a 2-2 start, Sparta ripped an 11-0 run (2-13) and, despite an early timeout from coach Joao Pedro Osorio Silva, kept Arantia at arm's length the rest of the way. Clara Walter answered with back-to-back threes later in the half and Suellen Santos Cruz added a triple to steady the hosts, but Sparta's advantage was already established.
After the break, Nicole Torresani (18, 1.78m, ITA) decided it. The Sparta guard poured in 21 points in the third stretch alone, including eight in a row, pushing the gap to a game-high 24 (37-61). Arantia responded late through captain Sarah Nunes Birchen and Nora Hansen, trimming the margin, but the visitors had done the damage earlier.
Sparta's shot profile told the story: 29 made two-pointers and five free throws, without a single three. Arantia relied more on the perimeter and the line (11 twos, five threes, nine free throws), but couldn't match Sparta's repeated finishes inside. Coach Colin Braun's team also strung together multiple mini-runs, notably a 6-0 burst to close the opening spell of dominance.
Top performers:
- Sparta: Torresani 29, the clear difference-maker; Alexia Vevecka (Season PPG: 5.67) and Luisa Feyder (Season PPG: 10.40) added 8 each; Chiara Sahaia Rasolofo (Season PPG: 12.83) and Louise Massard contributed 6 apiece.
- Arantia: Santos Cruz (Season PPG: 8.67) led with 12, Nunes Birchen (Season PPG: 8.33) had 11, Walter (Season PPG: 3.80) 8, and Erika De Sousa Silva (Season PPG: 8.50) 6.
Sparta has now beaten Arantia twice this season (also 66-56 earlier) and opens Phase 2 on top of the standings, while Arantia sits second and slides to a three-game skid.
(AI generated)