Regular Season, Group A analysis
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CSKA Moscow, already renovating its roster with well-known Euroleague performers like Marcus Goree and Nikos Zisis, brings both experience and a fresh look to the top of the group. With head coach Ettore Messina in charge for another season and several members of the 2006 Euroleague title team back, CSKA will be shooting for nothing less than to win the group and position itself for a another long run in the competition.
Few clubs are as ambitious as Tau Ceramica, a classic Euroleague team like few other. Tau made it to Final Four in each of the last three season and also reached the Euroleague playoff finals in 2001, but never managed to lift the trophy. Even when virtually its entire roster is under contract, Tau may change things in this off-season to become even more competitive in 2007-08. The Final Four is in Spain this season and that might be an extra motivation for thousands of Baskonia fans.
Olympiacos returned to both the Euroleague Quarterfinal Playoffs and the Greek League finals last season, setting the basis for a brighter future. The Reds have moved quickly in the off-season market, extending head coach Pini Gershon until 2009 by bringing in Greek talents such as Ian Vougioukas, Giorgos Apostolidis or Giorgos Printezis. It is already clear that once again, Olympiacos will be one of the teams to beat this season.
If there is a team that is playing a big role in the off-season market, that has to be perennial Polish League champion Prokom Trefl Sopot. Prokom is putting together a very competitive roster, as it managed to sign scoring machine Milan Gurovic, centers Ruben Wolkowyski and Thomas Van Den Spiegel or playmaker Travis Best. With Donatas Slanina, Filip Dylewicz and Huseyin Besok also coming up, the sky seems to be the limit for a very improved Prokom Trefl.
Always ready to battle each and every Euroleague superpower, Union Olimpija is back to the Euroleague with the initial goal of reaching the Top 16. Olimpija comes off a very rare title-free season and is time for the club to bounce back and show its power. Miha Zupan also had a trouble season, but is ready to make his Euroleague debut in 2007-08, becoming the first deaf player to do so, something very remarkable. Anyone who underestimates Olimpija will pay a high price next season.
Zalgiris managed to regain its Lithuanian League crown last season and now hopes to make it to the Euroleague Top 16, as its last appearance came in the 2005-06 season. Zalgiris already took the first step to put together a deep, solid roster by bringing back forward Dainius Salenga at the prime of his career. With Mantas Kalnietis, Jonas Maciulis or Tanoka Beard, Zalgiris has a nice mix of experience and young talent that could well pay off this season.
It took a record-breaking season for Montepaschi Siena to return to the Euroleague. Montepaschi, that reached the Euroleague Final Four in 2003 and 2004, won its second Italian League title and became a solid, unbeatable team after a couple of transition years. The arrival of Ksystof Lavrinovic only adds more power to its frontcourt, while Italian League MVP Terrell McIntyre extended his contract to stay as Montepaschi's floor general in its new Euroleague adventure.
A classic Euroleague team returns to the competition once it overcame all sorts of off-court problems. Virtus Bologna, that won the 2001 Euroleague title and reached the 2002 title game, is back in the competition ready to make some noise. Virtus found a new coach in Stefano Pillastrini and extended shooter Guilherme Giovannoni as the first steps to build a competitive roster. Virtus knows what it takes to be a Euroleague powerhouse and is ready to show it again.
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Euroleague.net
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