Azulmarino Mallorca Makes Stunning LF Endesa Debut with Victory Over Defending Champion Valencia

Converting Son Moix into a celebration for their debut in Spain's top women's basketball league, Azulmarino Mallorca pulled off a stunning upset against defending champion Valencia Basket, overcoming the ambition of Alberto Antuña's squad.

The first matchday of the LF Endesa got underway with a Supercopa-flavored showdown. Innova-TSN Leganés faced off against Hozono Global Jairis in a game where all eyes were on Supercopa MVP Aminata Sangaré. Bernat Canut's squad arrived at Pabellón Europa hungry for revenge and set the pace from the opening tip. In the second half, Javi Fort's team turned up the intensity and pulled away on the scoreboard, but in the final minutes, Alcantarilla's squad led by Aina Ayuso cut into the deficit and nearly completed the comeback. Ultimately, the home team secured the victory and their first league win.

Meanwhile, Meins Avenida earned a special victory—the first for Raquel Romo at the helm of the Salamanca squad. Stephanie Mawuli and Mikulasikova were the standouts of the game, while Marta Canella orchestrated the team's offense against Cadí La Seu, who fell behind in the third quarter.

Magariños was also the stage for another of the day's marquee matchups, marked by parity and spectacle. Juana Camilión returned to what had been her home for recent seasons and received an emotional tribute from the Women in Black. Isaac Fernández's squad showed solid play, led by an outstanding Cooper, the game's leading scorer with 17 points. In a match of maximum tension, Movistar Estudiantes put together a strong third quarter that allowed them to take control and put Roberto Íñiguez's team on the ropes.

However, Spar Girona, through character and offensive execution, managed to get back into the game. When everything seemed decided, Iyana Martín tied the score in the final second, pushing the drama to the limit. But in a quick reaction, the Women in Black got the ball to Isa Latorre, who, from practically midcourt and at the buzzer, unleashed pandemonium at Magariños with a clutch basket. An epic finish to seal Movistar Estudiantes' victory and start the season on the right foot.

Another game that will go down in history was Azulmarino Palma's debut—their first-ever appearance in LF Endesa—and they did it in style, pulling off a victory of great merit against the defending champion, Valencia Basket. The Mallorca squad demonstrated their solidity and character to overcome the squad directed by Javier Torralba, in a well-rounded performance in which Klara Holm and Kayla Alexander, former Valencia player, shone brightest. Both led the game with 30 and 29 rating points, respectively, to cap off a historic debut for Azulmarino Palma in the top category. Saturday's action closed with another debutant that put up a fight in their first LF Endesa game. Inversus Gernika Bizkaia took home the first victory of the season in Vigo against Celta Femxa Zorka after forcing overtime with a clutch three-pointer by Ángela Salvadores.

Sunday morning got underway in Lugo, where Mirari Euskotren claimed a victory in which Imane Tate reunited with her former team. The Gipuzkoa squad, which added only three players this season—Capel, Tate, and Washington—demonstrated solidity and personality under Made Muguruza's direction, with strong two-point shooting. Washington was also the game's leading scorer, leading the visiting offense.

For their part, Durán Maquinaria Ensino, with Van Schaik carrying Suso Garrido's squad, tried to stay in the fight, but ultimately paid for their lack of shooting accuracy against a rival that managed to secure the victory. On the other hand, Príncipe Felipe was the stage for the matchup between Casademont Zaragoza and Impulso 360 CAB Estepona. Carlos Cantero's squad set the pace from the opening quarter, imposing their game and opening a gap on the scoreboard that grew as the minutes passed. The Aragon squad was dominant, leaving César Aneas' team with few options, unable to find a way to stop the home team's control.

A Malata witnessed the final game of the first matchday. A highly entertaining showdown between Baxi Ferrol and Kutxabank Araski that remained close until the final minutes. Made Urieta's squad pulled away with barely two minutes remaining, but a three-pointer by Doogan brought the Galician team back into contention. Claire Melia's accuracy gave Lino López's squad the advantage, and they sealed their first victory of the season.

LF ENDESA - MATCHDAY 1

Saturday, October 3, 2026:
- Innova-TSN Leganés vs Hozono Global Jairis (66-63) | MVP: A. Sangaré - 31 RAT.
- Meins Avenida vs Cadí La Seu (73-57) | MVP: S. Mawuli - 25 RAT.
- Movistar Estudiantes vs Spar Girona (82-79) | MVP: I. Martín - 21 RAT.
- Azulmarino Mallorca Palma vs Valencia Basket (88-71) | K. Holm - 30 RAT.
- Celta Femxa Zorka vs Inversus Gernika Bizkaia (80-84) | MVP: J. Adams - 30 RAT.

Sunday, October 4, 2026:
- Durán Maquinaria Ensino vs Mirari Euskotren (53-72) | MVP: S. Washington - 17 RAT.
- Casademont Zaragoza vs Impulso 360 Estepona (68-41) | MVP: O. Bankolé - 18 RAT.
- Baxi Ferrol vs Kutxabank Araski (82-77) | MVP: A. Stanacev - 28 RAT.