EUROCUP REGULAR SEASON GROUP A ANALYSIS
ASK Riga
Chorale Roanne
Maroussi
KK Zadar
GROUP A SCHEDULE
GAME 1, NOVEMBER 25
Zadar vs. Maroussi Costa Coffe
Chorale Roanne vs. ASK Riga
GAME 2, DECEMBER 2
Maroussi Costa Coffee vs. Chorale Roanne
ASK Riga vs. Zadar
GAME 3, DECEMBER 9
Chorale Roanne vs. Zadar
ASK Riga vs. Maroussi Costa Coffee
GAME 4, DECEMBER 16
Maroussi Costa Coffee vs. ASK Riga
Zadar vs. Chorale Roanne
GAME 5, JANUARY 6
Maroussi Costa Coffee vs. Zadar
ASK Riga vs. Chorale Roanne
GAME 6, JANUARY 13
Zadar vs. ASK Riga
Chorale Roanne vs. Maroussi Costa Coffee
One of the most balanced quartets of teams headed into the Eurocup regular season is Group A, where the fight to reach the Last 16 can be expected to start on opening night. Chorale Roanne of France played the 2007-08 Euroleague and is ready to use that experience, the club's first in 50 years on the continental stage, to go far in the new Eurocup. Zadar of Croatia, a classic European club, reloaded its roster and had a strong start in the Adriatic League, the competition it won in 2003. ASK Riga of Latvia not only survived two qualifying rounds to join Group A, but was the last unbeaten team this season in the Baltic League. ASK hopes to revive the glory days that saw it win Europe's first three club titles, between 1958 to 1960, with a solid first step in the 2008-09 Eurocup. Last but not least, Maroussi Costa Coffee of Greece brings a defensive brand of basketball to counter its offensive-minded Group A opponents. Having won a continental trophy to start this decade, the 2001 Saporta Cup, Maroussi knows what it takes to excel in a competition like the Eurocup.

Roanne has undergone major roster changes in order to prepare to stay competitive in the Eurocup. The club brought back Aaron Harper, one of the stars of Roanne's French Cup and Semaine des As title teams in 2007. Center Taj Gray will be its major reference in the paint due to his post moves and scoring skills. Marcellus Sommerville is a modern power forward, ready to pull the trigger from downtown if Gray is double-teamed. Meanwhile, Chris Monroe is a tall swingman ready to help Roanne with his all-around skills. Pass-first playmakers Marc-Antoine Pellin and Pierric Poupet, as well as small forward Karim Souchu, round a solid team ready to win anytime, anywhere. Zadar keeps some of the players that helped the team to reach the Adriatic League final four last season, such as Juby Johnson, rebounding ace Todor Gecevski or combo guard Rok Stipcevic, not to mention returning head coach Aleksandar Petrovic. Zadar added veteran three-poing threat Marlon Garnett, up-and-coming forward Deyan Ivanov, as well as solid guards Damir Rancic and Malix Dixon. Zadar will be a tough opponent, especially at home, backed by thousands of its diehard fans.

Maroussi did not hesitate to play a major role in the off-season market and build a competitive team. The club added athletic guard Nikolay Padius, a ULEB Cup finalist with Aris in 2006, as well as playmaker Billy Keys, small forward Jarod Stevenson, aggressive swingman Pat Calathes and center Loukas Mavrokefalidis. Greek players like Fanis Koubouras, Costa Halarabidis, Kostas Kaimakoglou or Andreas Glyniadakis - who played the 2008 Olympic Games with his national team - will be basic for coach Soulis Markopoulos. Controlling the game rhythm against three high-scoring opponents will be a big key for Maroussi. After surviving the qualifying rounds, ASK Riga survived is ready to keep making noise. Corey Brewer, the ULEB Cup's second-best scorer all-time, will have the chance face Zadar, his former team. Power forward Ricardo Marsh, center Bruno Sundov and three-point specialist Uvis Helmanis will be the main pillars of a deep team that also features playmaker Sandis Valters, big man Raitis Grafs and versatile forward Milutin Aleksic. ASK was injury-plagued in the ULEB Cup last season, but now, backed by its loyal fans, is ready to rebound and fight for a Last 16 spot in the Eurocup.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Euroleague.net
PrintPrintSendSendShareShare