ULEB Cup draw profile: Elan Chalon
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Elan Chalon snuck into the Last 32 at the last possible second, but now head coach Gregor Beugnot’s charges are ready to forget the past and build a new future. Chalon advanced to the Last 32 as one of the five best fourth-place finishers with a 5-5 record, despite a Week 10 loss to Group B winner Besiktas ColaTurka, which could have created headaches if other results didn’t go its way. However now sporting a lineup that boasts an abundance of shooters and scorers, veteran leadership and a bright young point guard in Darrel Mitchell who only joined the club in the last month, but shined in his three games with the club, Chalon has what it takes to leave its mark on the competition this season. Veteran rifleman Rowan Barrett and low-post threat John Ford were Chalon’s chief scoring options this season and they figures to be even more dangerous with Mitchell feeding them the ball. Chalon started the season on the wrong foot, losing a 94-84 decision on opening night at the Koln 99ers, but rebounded with back-to-back wins over FMP and at Ovarense.  But then the wheels started to come off with three straight defeat in Weeks 4, 5 and 6, including back-to-back home losses at the hands of Besiktas and Koln. Down 2-5 and tied with FMP for the second to last spot in the group, the future looked bleak. However Barrett’s 5 three-pointers in a 60-72 road win at FMP sent the squad into the winter break with hope. And when they returned, Mitchell was on board, going for 16 points and 9 assists in his debut in Week 8 as the club trounced Ovarense 88-68 to get back on track. Then the trio of Barrett, Ford and Mitchell played big roles in a thrilling Week 9 overtime win over Ventspils, bringing the Last 32 even closer. Even though Besiktas threatened to ruin it all when it won in Week 10, Chalon survived as one of the best fourth-place teams. Now with a clean slate, Chalon hopes to make some noise on the road to Torino.
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POST-DRAW REACTIONS | Elan Chalon general manager, Yves Duvernois:"I think that Akasvayu Girona is a very difficult team to face in the Last 32 round. The good thing is that it is a short trip to make, as Girona is close to Chalon. I hope we can play well in the 1st leg, keep our chances alive and see what happens. The competition system is very good and we are very happy to be here because we survived a tough regular season group." |
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Thursday, January 24, 2008
ULEBCup.com
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