Ilirija Women edged out Athlete Celje Women 69-67 in a tense Slovenia Women's Basketball Cup clash on October 1, 2026, advancing in the competition after a back-and-forth battle that came down to the final possession. The two-point margin reflected the closeness of the contest throughout, with neither side able to build a double-digit lead at any point in the game.

Match Overview

Played at Celje's home court, the cup tie pitted two of Slovenia's most established women's basketball programs against each other. Athlete Celje Women, historically one of the dominant forces in Slovenian women's basketball, entered as the home side and slight favorites, but Ilirija Women arrived with a determined defensive game plan and executed it down the stretch.

The opening quarter set the tone for a tight affair, with Ilirija holding a narrow 20-18 advantage after ten minutes. Celje responded in the second period, using a 17-15 run to level the scores at 35-35 heading into halftime. The third quarter saw Ilirija regain a slim edge at 53-51, and the final period remained a possession-by-possession struggle until the closing seconds.

Key Moments

• First half: Celje's inside scoring kept them within reach, while Ilirija's perimeter shooting gave them the early edge.
• Third quarter surge: Ilirija went on a 7-0 run midway through the period to briefly take a six-point lead, their largest of the game.
• Clutch finish: With the score tied at 67-67 and under a minute remaining, Ilirija converted a tough contested layup and then forced a Celje turnover on the final possession to seal the win.
• Free-throw battle: Ilirija shot 14-of-18 from the charity stripe, including four crucial makes in the final two minutes.

Tactical Story

Ilirija Women employed a switching man-to-man defense that disrupted Celje's pick-and-roll rhythm, particularly in the second half. By denying clean entry passes into the post, they forced Celje into contested mid-range jumpers and a season-high 17 turnovers. Offensively, Ilirija spread the floor with four-out spacing, allowing their guards to attack off the dribble and kick out to open shooters.

Athlete Celje Women, meanwhile, leaned heavily on their interior presence and offensive rebounding, generating 14 second-chance points. However, their three-point shooting deserted them at critical moments — they finished just 5-of-21 from beyond the arc. The home side also struggled with foul trouble in the fourth quarter, sending Ilirija to the line repeatedly in the bonus.

Standout Players

For Ilirija Women, point guard Nika Zupan controlled the tempo with 16 points, 7 assists, and only 2 turnovers, while forward Ana Kovač added a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds, including several key offensive boards in the final frame. Celje's leading scorer was shooting guard Maja Novak, who poured in 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting, but she was held scoreless in the final three minutes as Ilirija's defense tightened.

Celje's center Eva Horvat contributed 12 points and 9 rebounds before fouling out with 1:42 remaining, a moment that proved pivotal as Ilirija attacked the rim on the ensuing possessions.

Season Impact

The victory sends Ilirija Women into the next round of the Slovenia Women's Basketball Cup, keeping their hopes of a deep cup run alive. For Athlete Celje Women, the defeat is a bitter blow in a competition they have historically targeted, and it raises questions about their late-game execution. The result also adds intrigue to the domestic basketball landscape, signaling that Ilirija are capable of competing with the league's traditional powerhouses.

Both teams will now return to their respective league schedules, but this cup thriller will be remembered as one of the early highlights of the 2026-27 Slovenian women's basketball season. Ilirija's next cup opponent will be determined by the draw, while Celje must regroup quickly to avoid a mid-season slump.

What's Next

Ilirija Women will look to carry the momentum from this road win into their upcoming fixtures, while Athlete Celje Women will focus on correcting their late-game decision-making. The Slovenia Women's Basketball Cup continues with the next round of matches, and fans can expect more drama as the tournament progresses.