EUROCUP REGULAR SEASON GROUP H ANALYSIS
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GROUP H SCHEDULE
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GAME 1, NOVEMBER 25
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CEZ Nymburk vs. KK Buducnost
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iurbentia Bilbao vs. Hemofarm Stada
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GAME 2, DECEMBER 2
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Hemofarm Stada vs. CEZ Nymburk
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KK Buducnost vs. iurbentia Bilbao
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GAME 3, DECEMBER 9
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CEZ Nymburk vs. iurbentia Bilbao
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KK Buducnost vs. Hemofarm Stada
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GAME 4, DECEMBER 16
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Hemofarm Stada vs. KK Buducnost
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iurbentia Bilbao vs. CEZ Nymburk
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GAME 5, JANUARY 6
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Hemofarm Stada vs. iurbentia Bilbao
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KK Buducnost vs. CEZ Nymburk
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GAME 6, JANUARY 13
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CEZ Nymburk vs. Hemofarm Stada
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iurbentia Bilbao vs. KK Buducnost
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Group H is expected to be one of the most balanced ones in the Eurocup regular season, as all four teams had solid starts in their respective domestic competitions and have all options to make it to the Last 16. Hemofarm Stada of Serbia is a modern classic in Europe's second competition, as it reached the ULEB Cup semifinals in 2005 and 2006. Perennial Montenegrin League champion Buducnost reached Group H through the qualifying rounds and hopes to take revenge of its defeat against Hemofarm in the Last 32 two-way round last season. Both Hemofarm and Buducnost rely on a group of homegrown players to reach deep in the Eurocup this season. Czech powerhouse CEZ Basketball Nymburk reached the elimination rounds last season, breaking all existing ULEB Cup home attendance records last season. Nymburk hopes to use that experience to advance to the next round, too. Meanwhile, iurbentia Bilbao Basket is a newcomer to European club competitions with well-rounded, experienced players who are used to play with each other. Those that underestimate Bilbao Basket will pay a high price for that.
Hemofarm has kept a base of players that have been together for several seasons, with sharp shooter Nebojsa Joksimovic and center Vladan Vukosavljevic as its main references in offense. Milan Macvan is set to play a major role, as he is set to become one of the best power forwards in Europe. Rebounding ace Milovoje Bozovic, up-and-coming guard Stefan Markovic, experienced forward Bojan Krstovic and playmaker Miljan Pavkovic. Hemofarm also has big hopes on 222cm center Boban Marjanovic, too. Buducnost also has opted to give playing time to its youngest talents, who have immediately delivered at the beginning of this season. As such, its new franchise player is power forward Vladimir Dasic, a 20-year old talent ready to prove his value in the Eurocup. Small forward Vladimir Micov and defensive centers Nenad Misanovic will be the main pillars of their team, along with Dasic. Nemanja Gordic, Marko Simonovic, Ivan Maras, Nikola Otasevic or Milos Bojovic round a deep, solid roster that may well become the surprise team in the Eurocup this season.
Nymburk shocked everyone in the ULEB Cup last season and despite losing franchise forward Rado Rancik, it managed to land well-rounded veteran Goran Jagodnik, a former Hemofarm forward who can score in many ways. Jagodnik is Nymburk's major addition, as the club managed to keep most of the main players it had last season. As such, sharp shooter Blake Schilb, big man Petr Benda, small forward Ladislav Sokolovsky, playmaker Arthur Lee or swingman Michal Kremen. With sellout crowds in its home games in Pardubice and one year of experience on its back, Nymburk is stronger than it has ever been. Bilbao Basket comes off an outstanding season, in which it reached the Spanish League playoffs and the Spanish King's Cup semifinals. Bilbao Basket has the complete package. Javi Salgado and Janis Blums are solid choices at point guard. The club has offers like battery of sharp shooters like Luke Recker, Quincy Lewis, Predrag Savovic and Reinaldas Seibutis, as well as a deep frontcourt with defensive centers Fred Weis and Salva Guardia or star forward Marko Banic. Bilbao Basket has always been a very ambitious club that went from the Spanish third division to the ACB playoffs in record time. Its first Eurocup appearance is another step forwards for the club.
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Friday, November 21, 2008
EurocupBasketball.com
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