Caledonia Gladiators Women land first win on historic day for club

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Caledonia Gladiators enjoyed one of the finest nights in its history last week as both their men’s and women’s teams became the first Scottish club sides in decades to win in European competition.It was an especially big occasion for the Miguel Angel Ortega Marco’s women’s side, as they became the first women’s Scottish side to compete in European action in 50 years, in what was also the first time the women’s team had played at the club’s top-of-the-range 1,600 seater arena in Stewartfield.On the night, both the women’s team and Gareth Murray’s men side were on top form as they picked up victories.The men’s team firstly defeated BC CSU Sibiu, in Romania 80-68, to open their FIBA Europe Cup campaign in style, with the club now sitting top in Pool B of the competition.And the women’s team later that evening defeated SL Benfica 73-52 in the EuroCup Women as they became the first Scottish women’s club team to win a match in European competition.Miguel Angel Ortega Marco, the club’s Women’s head coach, said: “As the first Scottish women’s basketball club to compete in European competition in fifty years, it’s really special that we could mark this with a victory.“The players did a great job on the night, and I’d also like to thank our home support for how they supported the team during such a big game for the club.”Gareth Murray, Men’s head coach, said: “It was amazing to win our first game in European competition, and to prove why we as a club belong at this level.“Winning away from home in European competition is never an easy task and I’m really proud of how our players performed on the occasion.”Tony McDaid, the club’s chief executive, said: “Wednesday was an historic night for the Caledonia Gladiators.“I also believe it