CB Avenida

Perfumerías Avenida Baloncesto, commonly referred to as CB Avenida, is a professional women's basketball club based in Salamanca, Spain, founded in 1988.^[1] The team competes in the Liga Femenina Endesa, Spain's top-tier women's basketball league, and the EuroLeague Women, Europe's premier club competition, playing its home games at the Pabellón Würzburg, which has a capacity of 4,000 spectators.^[1][2] Renowned for its dominance in Spanish women's basketball, Perfumerías Avenida has secured eight Liga Femenina Endesa championships (in 2006, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022) and has reached the league finals on numerous other occasions, establishing itself as one of the most successful clubs in the competition's history (as of 2025).^[3] On the European stage, the club achieved its greatest triumph by winning the EuroLeague Women title in 2011 and finished as runners-up in 2021.^[4][5] With numerous domestic trophies, including multiple Spanish Cups and SuperCups, the club has produced numerous international stars and maintains a strong reputation for competitive excellence and player development.^[6]

History

Foundation and early years (1988–1994)

The Club Baloncesto Avenida traces its origins to 1988, when it was established as the women's basketball team within the Agrupación Deportiva Universidad de Salamanca (ADUS), part of the university's Club Deportivo Universitario (CDU) under the Servicio de Educación Física y Deportes (SEFYD). This foundation aligned with the university's expanding sports programs following the 1983 Ley Orgánica de Reforma Universitaria, which promoted institutional autonomy in athletics. Key figures such as Carlos Gil Pérez, who had founded the CDU in 1977 and oversaw its growth, and Juan Luís Suárez Sánchez de León, who directed early team efforts, played pivotal roles in launching the program. The team drew primarily from university students and local athletes, fostering a community-based identity rooted in Salamanca's academic environment.^[7][8] In its initial seasons, the team competed in regional and lower-division federated leagues, such as the 2ª División, while also participating in university competitions organized by the Comité Español de Deporte Universitario (CEDU), including the Campeonato de España Universitario (CEU). Under inaugural coach Isidro Álvarez in 1988-89, the squad achieved promotion to the 1ª División "B" (a regional second-tier level), marking its first step toward national recognition. Subsequent coaches, including Juan Luís Suárez Sánchez in the early 1990s and Javier García by 1993-94, built on this momentum; the team secured medals in CEU events starting in 1988 and promoted to the 1ª División Nacional (now Liga Femenina 2) by the 1991-92 season, where it competed for two years. Early players like Susana Iglesias, Teresa Martín, Isabel Delgado, and Adela Parres formed the core roster, emphasizing teamwork and development from amateur university talent. Infrastructure improvements, such as the 1989 opening of the Polideportivo Universitario "Miguel de Unamuno" and the 1993 Salas Bajas facility, supported training despite modest beginnings.^[7] The early years were marked by significant challenges, including limited financial resources and reliance on university budgets, where federated sports consumed about 73% of SEFYD's activity funding in 1987 but still faced deficits. Gender disparities in participation—women comprised only 6-9% of student athletes during this period—compounded issues like inadequate facilities and inconsistent institutional support, leading to fluctuations in team stability. Composed largely of student-athletes balancing academics and training, the squad navigated these constraints through volunteer efforts and local recruitment, laying a resilient foundation for future growth. By 1994, these resource limitations prompted the transfer of competitive rights to a new entity backed by professional sponsorship.^[7]

Sponsorship and growth (1994–2002)

In July 1994, the Universidad de Salamanca transferred the club's sporting rights to C.B. Halcón Viajes, a name reflecting the primary sponsorship from the travel agency Halcón Viajes, which provided financial stability and marked the transition from an amateur university team to a professional entity in the Liga Femenina, Spain's top women's basketball league. This sponsorship enabled the club to compete at a higher level, with the team securing a fourth-place finish in the 1994–95 Copa de la Reina, earning qualification for their first European competition, the FIBA Cup (later known as Copa Ronchetti).^[9] The late 1990s brought initial national successes, including a league runner-up position in the 1995–96 season behind Costa Naranja Godella, a third-place finish in that year's Copa de la Reina, and advancement to the Ronchetti quarter-finals with key players like Amaya Valdemoro and Rushia Brown contributing significantly. By 1998–99, Halcón Viajes again finished second in the Liga Femenina, this time trailing Celta de Vigo, while regionally, the team claimed victories in the Copa Castilla y León in 2001 and 2002, solidifying their dominance in Castile and León. These achievements represented the club's early breakthroughs in national and regional play, with consistent top-half Liga Femenina finishes establishing competitive credibility.^[9][8] The Halcón Viajes sponsorship facilitated broader recruitment by covering travel logistics for international players, exemplified by the 2002 signing of American star Shannon "Pee Wee" Johnson, which enhanced the team's talent pool ahead of the sponsor transition. This period also saw notable attempts at deeper European involvement, building on the 1994–95 qualification, though the focus remained on domestic consolidation. Overall, these developments fostered growth in the fan base through sustained on-court success and laid groundwork for infrastructure enhancements, such as improved training resources, supporting the club's rise to perennial contenders.^[9][10]

Perfumerías Avenida era (2002–present)

In 2002, following the end of the Halcón Viajes sponsorship, the club transitioned to a partnership with the local Salamanca-based perfume retailer Perfumerías Avenida, adopting the name that would define its modern identity and usher in an era of sustained excellence.^[3] This shift coincided with the team's entry into European competitions, beginning with the EuroLeague Women in the 2004–05 season, where they quickly established themselves as contenders by reaching the 2009 final as runners-up to Spartak Moscow Region.^[11] Domestically, the partnership fueled a surge in Liga Femenina success, starting with the 2005–06 championship—the club's first national league title—and followed by additional triumphs in 2010–11, 2012–13, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2020–21, and 2021–22, solidifying their position as Spain's most decorated team.^[12] The pinnacle of the era came in 2011, when Perfumerías Avenida claimed the EuroLeague Women title with a 68–59 victory over Sparta & K M.R. Vidnoje in the final, marking Spain's first win in the competition and highlighting the team's tactical prowess under coach Lucas Mondelo.^[11] This international breakthrough was bookended by another final appearance in 2021, where they fell 78–68 to UMMC Ekaterinburg, demonstrating resilience amid roster changes and competitive pressures.^[11] Throughout the 2010s and into the 2020s, the club maintained national dominance, frequently advancing to league playoffs and securing multiple Supercopa and Copa de la Reina titles, though they faced interruptions like the 2019–20 season cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which halted European and domestic play.^[11] Post-2021, Perfumerías Avenida navigated rebuilds following key departures, integrating younger talents and international recruits to rebuild momentum, which allowed them to remain playoff contenders despite occasional setbacks.^[13] In the 2024–25 season, the team reached the Liga Femenina finals (losing to Valencia Basket), had a 5–7 record in the EuroLeague Women group stage, and reached the Copa de la Reina final, though they lost 67–59 to Hozono Global Jairis, underscoring their ongoing adaptability in an evolving league landscape.^[14] The club's culture has evolved into a cornerstone of Salamanca's identity, with robust fan support—often filling the 2,400-seat Pabellón Würzburg—fostering a vibrant community atmosphere that emphasizes youth development and local engagement up to 2025.^[15][16]

Facilities

Pabellón Municipal de Würzburg

The Pabellón Municipal de Würzburg, located at Avenida San Agustín s/n in Salamanca, Spain, serves as the primary home venue for CB Avenida, with a capacity of 3,003 spectators following the 2025 upgrades.^[17] Constructed in 1993, the multi-purpose arena was designed to host various sports events and quickly became the club's central facility from its early competitive years, accommodating professional basketball games and fostering a dedicated local fanbase.^[18] In 2025, the arena underwent a significant renovation to modernize its infrastructure, including the installation of new seating for improved comfort and safety, upgraded changing rooms, and the addition of LED screens for better visibility during events.^[19][17] As part of these improvements, the venue was officially renamed Pabellón Municipal de Würzburg-Silvia Domínguez in May 2025 to honor the retired club captain Silvia Domínguez for her outstanding contributions to Perfumerías Avenida, including multiple national and international titles. The renovated facility premiered in October 2025 during a home game, marking a refreshed era for the club's operations.^[20] CB Avenida primarily uses the arena for its Liga Femenina Endesa and EuroLeague Women matches, where it has hosted numerous high-stakes contests since the 1990s. The venue is renowned for its electric atmosphere during key games, with fans creating an intense, supportive environment that has contributed to the team's strong home record. Attendance often reaches capacity for important European fixtures, such as EuroLeague playoff games, leading to queues outside the doors and underscoring the growing popularity of women's basketball in Salamanca.^[21]

Training facilities and youth development

The training facilities for CB Avenida are primarily centered around the Pabellón Municipal de Würzburg in Salamanca, where the senior and youth teams conduct daily sessions on dedicated courts. Adjacent to the main arena, the club maintains shared weight rooms and a gymnasium for strength and conditioning exercises, as well as basic recovery areas equipped for post-training rehabilitation, including stretching zones and ice baths to support player wellness.^[22][23] The club's youth academy, or cantera, operates structured programs for girls aged 8 to 18, focusing on technical skills, tactical awareness, and physical development to prepare participants for competitive levels. Founded to nurture local talent, the academy includes junior and cadet teams that compete in regional leagues, with tryouts held annually at the Würzburg Pavilion to scout promising players born between 2009 and 2015. These programs feed directly into the senior squad, exemplified by graduates like Blanca Marcos, who at age 19 played 353 minutes across 23 games in the 2005–2006 season, and Noelia Oliva, an under-18 national team member who transitioned to professional play alongside elite teammates.^[24][25] Success in youth development is evident through regional achievements, such as the junior team's undefeated regular season and title revalidation in Castilla y León in 2019, securing national qualification. The academy has produced multiple debuts in the Liga Femenina, contributing to the club's reputation for internal talent promotion amid broader Spanish women's basketball challenges. To enhance scouting, CB Avenida partners with local schools via tecnificación programs integrated into municipal youth initiatives and collaborates with the Universidad de Salamanca to identify and develop university-aged prospects, allowing dual academic-athletic pathways.^{[26][27][28][29]} In 2025, the club invested in women's youth pathways by renewing its agreement with the Universidad de Salamanca for shared resources and player mobility, while merging with CB Tormes to form Castilla y León's largest basketball entity, encompassing over 700 youth players and expanding inclusive programs through Fundación Aviva. This integration bolsters talent pipelines from local levels to professional competition.^[30][28]

Season-by-season records

Overall performance summary

CB Avenida, founded in 1988 as part of the Universidad de Salamanca, began in regional and lower national divisions before earning promotion to Spain's top-tier Liga Femenina (then known as 1ª División) in 1992, marking its entry into elite women's basketball. Since then, the club—later rebranded as Halcón Avenida and Perfumerías Avenida—has maintained consistent presence in the Liga Femenina, avoiding relegation and evolving from mid-table finishes in the 1990s to a dominant force, particularly after 2002, with multiple promotions in youth and reserve systems contributing to sustained competitiveness.^[3] The following table summarizes the club's season-by-season performance in the Liga Femenina from its debut in the top division through the 2024–25 season, including regular-season position, win-loss record where available, and playoff outcomes. Data reflects progression from initial mid-pack placements to frequent top-three finishes and championship contention post-2004.^[3] As of November 17, 2025, in the ongoing 2025–26 season, Perfumerías Avenida holds a 1–1 record in Liga Femenina Endesa after two games (a 73–65 loss to Ensino on November 2 and a 63–49 win over Estepona on November 7), with current standings pending further matches.^[31] Aggregate statistics through the 2024–25 season highlight the club's elite status, with over 1,000 official games played by 2017 (646 wins, 2 ties, 352 losses, yielding a 64.6% win percentage at that point) and continued high performance since, including 11 regular-season titles and 8 playoff championships in the Liga Femenina.^[32][3] The team's progression underscores a trend of stability: after initial promotions from lower divisions in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it has remained in the top division uninterrupted since 1994, achieving top-three finishes in 18 of the last 20 seasons and establishing itself as one of Spain's most successful women's basketball programs.^[3]

Notable seasons

The 2010–11 season marked a pinnacle for CB Avenida, as the team captured its first and only EuroLeague Women championship to date. Under coach Roberto Íñiguez, Avenida navigated a challenging path, topping Group C with an 8-2 record before defeating TBB Trabzonsspor in the quarterfinals and Good Angels Košice in the semifinals. The final in Ekaterinburg saw Avenida triumph over Spartak Moscow Region 68-59, with key contributions from stars like Amaya Valdemoro (18 points) and Anna Vajda, showcasing a balanced roster that emphasized defensive intensity and transition scoring. This victory not only established Avenida as a European powerhouse but also led to increased sponsorship commitments and higher attendance at home games, solidifying the club's legacy in Spanish women's basketball.^[3] In the 2008–09 season, Avenida reached the EuroLeague Women final as first-time finalists, finishing runner-up after a strong group stage performance. The team advanced through the playoffs by overcoming CSKA Moscow in the quarterfinals and UMMC Ekaterinburg in the semifinals, but fell to defending champions Spartak Moscow Region 85-70 in the final hosted in Moscow. Standout performances came from players such as DeWanna Bonner and Michelle Snow, who highlighted Avenida's interior dominance, though turnovers in the fourth quarter proved costly. The campaign underscored tactical lessons in high-stakes matchups, contributing to future European successes and enhancing the club's reputation for competitive depth.^[33] Avenida's 2020–21 EuroLeague Women runner-up finish came amid a pandemic-disrupted season, where the team went undefeated in the group stage (6-0) and swept Spar Girona in the quarterfinals before edging Sopron Basket in the semifinals. The final loss to UMMC Ekaterinburg 78-68 in Istanbul featured resilient efforts from Silvia Domínguez (MVP candidate with 14 points and 7 assists) and Karlie Samuelson, but Ekaterinburg's size advantage overwhelmed Avenida's perimeter game. This near-miss, the club's first Final Four appearance since 2011, reinforced lessons in rebounding and physicality, while boosting domestic fan engagement and sponsor renewals post-tournament.^[34] The 2005–06 season saw Avenida claim its inaugural Liga Femenina title, breaking through after years of contention. Led by coach Miguel Ángel Ortega, the team dominated the regular season and defeated Ros Casares Valencia in a thrilling playoff final series, with key wins driven by imports like Ann Wauters and domestic talent such as Anna Montañana. Tactical shifts toward a faster pace and improved three-point shooting were pivotal, overcoming early-season injuries to secure the crown and setting the stage for a decade of national dominance.^[3] In the 2023–24 season, Avenida secured the Liga Femenina regular season title with a 26–4 record but fell short in the playoffs, losing the final series to Valencia Basket 0–2. The campaign highlighted the team's depth and competitiveness amid injuries, blending veteran leadership with emerging talents like Arica Carter, while maintaining strong attendance and sponsorship support.^[35]

Current squad and staff

Roster

The 2025–26 roster of Perfumerías Avenida features a balanced mix of experienced international players and emerging Spanish talents, emphasizing versatility across positions to compete in both the Liga Femenina Endesa and EuroCup Women.^[36] As of November 2025, early-season statistical highlights in the Liga Femenina Endesa and EuroCup Women showcase strong contributions from key players: Khadijiah Cave leads with 15.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in domestic play (64.7% field goal percentage) and 17.4 points with 10.2 rebounds in Europe (70.2% field goal); Claudia Soriano averages 8.0 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.8 steals domestically, rising to 13.2 points and 3.6 assists in EuroCup; Iyana Martín contributes 12.4 points and 2.8 assists per game in the league across five matches.^[37][38] The depth chart provides solid rotation options with no reported injuries as of mid-November 2025: at point guard, young starters Iyana Martín and Claudia Soriano offer speed and playmaking; shooting guard features veteran Shavonte Zellous alongside Abby Meyers for perimeter scoring; small forwards include the reliable Andrea Vilaró and newcomer Belén Arrojo for athleticism; power forwards Clarince Djaldi-Tabdi and Natalie Stoupalová anchor the frontcourt with rebounding prowess; centers Khadijiah Cave and Regan Magarity, supported by versatile forwards Laura Spreafico and Laura Erikstrup, ensure interior dominance.^[36] Perfumerías Avenida's recruitment strategy prioritizes a blend of homegrown Spanish prospects like Iyana Martín and Claudia Soriano from youth academies with high-impact international imports such as Khadijiah Cave and Clarince Djaldi-Tabdi to bolster competitiveness in European competitions, as evidenced by recent signings like Belén Arrojo in May 2025.^[36][39]

Coaching and management

Anna Montañana serves as the head coach of Perfumerías Avenida, having been appointed in June 2024 on a two-year contract spanning the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. A former professional player who spent five seasons with the club from 2008 to 2013, including winning the EuroLeague Women in 2011, Montañana transitioned to coaching after retiring in 2015, accumulating experience as an assistant with teams like Lointek Gernika and the Spanish U16 and U18 national teams before leading Hozono Global Jairis in 2023-24. Her tactical approach emphasizes defensive cohesion and unity, as she has stated that being "united defensively" is key to the team's success and progression toward competitive goals. Under her leadership in the 2025-26 season, the team has recorded a 3-3 mark in the Liga Femenina Endesa as of November 13, 2025. The coaching staff supporting Montañana includes assistant coaches Pablo García and Raquel Romo, who provide continuity from the previous season in player development, scouting, and in-game strategy. The support team features physical trainer Yeray García, a Salamanca native with a degree in Sports Science and a master's in High Performance, responsible for conditioning and injury prevention, and physiotherapist Ángel Bravo, who handles rehabilitation and medical care for the squad. This group replaced outgoing members Richard Huerta and Rocío Castaño, maintaining a core of trusted professionals while integrating new expertise to enhance performance. Jorge Recio has been president of Perfumerías Avenida since 2002, when his family business, Grupo Recio, assumed sponsorship amid the club's financial challenges, transforming it into a perennial powerhouse with multiple national and international titles. His administrative achievements include securing long-term sponsorship deals that fund operations and expanding youth investments, notably through the Academia Perfumerías Avenida, which now encompasses over 700 participants across various age groups and supports talent pipelines to the senior team. Recio's leadership has also focused on facility upgrades and community engagement, earning him recognition as the best executive by the Federación de Baloncesto de Castilla y León in 2025. The club's organizational structure is family-oriented, with the Recio family comprising the core board, including Jorge as president and key relatives in advisory roles, overseeing strategic direction and finances. Decision-making on player transfers as of 2025 involves collaboration among the president, head coach Montañana, and management, prioritizing alignment with competitive and budgetary goals while leveraging the youth academy for internal promotions.

Honours and records

National titles

Perfumerías Avenida has secured eight Liga Femenina championships, establishing itself as one of the most dominant forces in Spanish women's basketball. The titles were won in the 2005–06, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2020–21, and 2021–22 seasons, with the club often prevailing in intense playoff series against top rivals like FC Barcelona and Valencia Basket.^[40] A standout achievement was the 2010–11 final, where Avenida swept Ros Casares Valencia 3–0, showcasing their offensive depth and defensive prowess en route to the title.^[41] These victories highlight the club's sustained excellence during periods of transition, including three consecutive titles from 2015–16 to 2017–18. The team also reached the finals as runners-up in 2023–24 (losing to Valencia Basket).^[42] The team has also claimed the Copa de la Reina 10 times since its first win in 2004–05, with subsequent triumphs in 2005–06, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, and 2021–22.^[43] This record underscores Avenida's knockout prowess, including four straight wins from 2017 to 2020 and multiple domestic doubles—such as the 2005–06 pairing of Liga and Copa titles—that amplified their seasonal dominance.^[44] The 2021–22 edition, a 74–69 victory over Uni Girona, marked their 10th crown and further cemented their status as the competition's most successful club.^[45] Avenida reached the 2025 final but lost 59–67 to Hozono Global Jairis. In the Supercopa de España, Avenida has lifted the trophy nine times, with wins in 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, and 2021–22. These early-season honors often set the tone for championship campaigns, as seen in the 2017–18 edition where a 61–55 defeat of Spar Citylift Girona propelled them toward a treble.^[46] The club reached the 2023 final as runners-up, losing 73–78 to Valencia Basket.^[47] Additionally, the club has dominated regionally with 16 Copa Castilla y León titles since the early 2000s, reflecting era-long supremacy in local competitions and bolstering their development pipeline. Collectively, these 27 national trophies (Liga Femenina, Copa de la Reina, Supercopa de España) plus 16 regional titles total 43 domestic honors, elevating Perfumerías Avenida's prestige and positioning it as Spain's premier women's basketball club with a record 29 major titles (including international) as of 2025.^[12] This haul not only fosters a winning culture but also attracts top talent, sustaining the club's competitive edge in domestic play.

International titles

Perfumerías Avenida has achieved significant success in the EuroLeague Women, the premier European club competition for women's basketball. The club claimed its sole championship in the 2010–11 season, defeating Spartak Moscow Region Vidnoye 68–59 in the final held in Ekaterinburg, Russia, marking the first EuroLeague title for a Spanish team in five years.^[48] They reached the final twice as runners-up: in 2008–09, losing 70–85 to Spartak Moscow Region Vidnoye in Florence, Italy, and in 2020–21, falling 68–78 to UMMC Ekaterinburg in Sopron, Hungary.^[49][5] Additionally, Avenida has advanced to the quarterfinals on five occasions across more than 15 participations in the competition, including a 2023–24 quarterfinal loss to Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding.^[50] In the FIBA Europe SuperCup Women, Perfumerías Avenida secured its only title in the 2011 edition, defeating Elitzur Ramla of Israel 95–72 in a single-game format held in Moscow, Russia, shortly after their EuroLeague triumph.^[51][52] This victory highlighted the club's dominance during that season, as the SuperCup pitted recent EuroLeague and EuroCup champions against each other. Beyond the top-tier events, Perfumerías Avenida has competed in the EuroCup Women on three occasions, reaching the semifinals once as its best result, demonstrating sustained competitiveness in FIBA's secondary European club tournament.^[52] The club has also made sporadic appearances in other FIBA-organized international events, including quarterfinal finishes in earlier editions of European competitions during the 2000s. Since the early 2000s, Perfumerías Avenida has maintained a strong presence in European women's basketball rankings, consistently finishing among the top eight teams and securing regular qualification for the EuroLeague through domestic success.^[52] This progression underscores the club's evolution into one of Europe's elite programs, with multiple deep playoff runs establishing its international pedigree. As of the 2024–25 season, they continue to compete in the EuroLeague Women.^[53]

Individual awards

Several players from Perfumerías Avenida have earned prestigious individual accolades in European and domestic competitions. In the EuroLeague Women, Kahleah Copper was named MVP for the 2021–22 season, leading the league in scoring with an average of 22.5 points per game and adding 6.1 rebounds per game across 14 appearances.^[54] In the Liga Femenina Endesa, Amaya Valdemoro secured the MVP award for the 2004 playoffs while contributing as the team's key forward, earning recognition as the league's best small forward that year.^[55] Silvia Domínguez also garnered individual honors as the best point guard for the 2019–20 and 2021–22 seasons, highlighting her playmaking and leadership on the court.^[56] Copa de la Reina MVPs have similarly spotlighted Avenida talent, with Amaya Valdemoro claiming the award in 2004 for her dominant performances in the tournament.^[55] More recently, Silvia Domínguez was named MVP of the 2022 final, where she orchestrated the team's championship run with exceptional efficiency, including 27 points and 3 assists in the decisive game.^[57] Youth development has yielded notable honors as well; Leonor Rodríguez dominated at the junior level, winning three MVP awards in Spanish youth championships alongside four titles, best passer, and leading scorer accolades during her early career.^[58] Club records underscore these achievements, particularly in scoring. Amaya Valdemoro holds the Liga Femenina Endesa all-time scoring record with 5,667 points, the majority accumulated during her tenure with Perfumerías Avenida from 1994 to 2011, establishing her as the club's historical leading scorer.^[59]