5 Milorad Sutulovic G 1.96 6 Vlado Ilievski G 1.88 7 Sani Becirovic G 1.95 8 Jaka Klobucar G 1.98 9 Edin Bavcic C 2.10 10 Dusan Djordjevic G 1.93 11 Pawel Kikowski G 1.93 12 Nemanja Aleksandrov F 2.10 13 Gasper Vidmar C 2.10 15 Uros Slokar F 2.10 21 Vladimir Golubovic C 2.12 31 Saso Ozbolt G 1.91 44 Matt Walsh F 1.97 Head Coach: Jure Zdovc

A classic Euroleague team that always fights the good fight, Union Olimpija of Slovenia, has managed to put together its deepest, most versatile roster in recent history to fight for a Top 16 spot and stay virtually unbeatable in its home country. The Slovenian League champs moved really well in the off-season market to land marquee free agents in attempts to lead the club back to its glory days. Olimpija won the Saporta Cup title in 1994 and made it to the Euroleague Final Four in 1997, but the team has missed the Top 16 for five consecutive seasons. There are solid reasons to believe that Olimpija will battle to survive the regular season and go for bigger goals in all competitions. First and foremost, Olimpija brought back Sani Becirovic, a veteran with incredible court savvy who was chosen as the Euroleague November MVP last season. Olimpija also added sharpshooter Matt Walsh, up-and-coming forwards Gasper Vidmar and Nemanja Aleksandrov, experienced big men Uros Slokar and Edin Bavcic, as well as guard Pawel Kikowski, who may become one of the most pleasant surprises in this Euroleague season. Olimpija also managed to keep playmaker Vlado Ilievski, combo guard Jaka Klobucar, center Vladimir Golubovic and scoring ace Saso Ozbolt. Coach Jure Zdovc, himself a Euroleague winner as a player in 1993, will try to guide Olimpija through a very tough regular season group featuring Maccabi Electra, Virtus Roma, CSKA Moscow and Caja Laboral. But with the basketball-loving fans in Ljubljana at their back, expect Olimpija to be a tough team to beat at any level, challenging all the Euroleague superpowers whenever they step on the court.



Olimpija counts on a deep backcourt full of talent and firepower. Ilievski is back as the team's starting point guard. His court vision, creativity and experience is critical for Olimpija this season. Becirovic is set to become the starting shooting guard, ready to showcase his vast experience in his first season with the club since 2001, when he was a teenage scoring sensation in the Euroleague. Becirovic already showed his injuries belong to the past, ranking third in total free throws made last season while posting his best Euroleague scoring, rebounds and assists averages since leaving Olimpija eight years ago. Smart, talented and always able to choose the best game rhythm, Becirovic should be his team's reference in clutch time. Klobucar offers defense and intensity at both guard positions. At age 22, and with a year of Euroleague experience, Klobucar will play an interesting role off the bench. Ozbolt is a shooting specialist who never gives up. Ozbolt thrives in big games and likes to play up-tempo to make the most out of his unlimited range. Meanwhile, Kikowski will see playing time at both wings. A great scorer with tremendous athleticism, Kikowski offers versatility and work ethic. He has potential to become an important Euroleague player in the short run. Pass-first point guard Dusan Djordjevic provides deep range and know-how in a support role. Active and creative, Djordjevic can change any game with his court vision.

Walsh fills a much-needed role for Olimpija as a constant shooting threat who can turn entire games around when he's on fire. His one-on-one skills and the ability to create his own shot turn Walsh into a very good scorer, but he also knows how to find the open man when double-teamed. Aleksandrov was considered a top prospect worldwide just four years ago, but injuries prevented him from fulfilling his outstanding potential. He is working hard to shine in his Euroleague debut season. At junior age, Aleksandrov had the complete package - he could score, rebound, run the floor and make it all look almost effortless. Olimpija found two very different power forwards who are also able to play together. Slokar is a very good outside shooter with unlimited range, as well as a tough low-post defender and a good rebounder. Meanwhile, Vidmar offers power and strength around the baskets, as he uses his physical skills to dominate in the middle. With extended playing time, Vidmar could shock everyone this season with his very good rebounding skills, determination and ability to run the floor. Golubovic is an aggressive, rock-solid center with good post moves who never gives up, perfect to come off the bench and contribute in many ways. Bavcic rounds a deep frontcourt with size, mid-range shooting and coordination. Collectively, this group knows a lot about being down and getting back up to play the game they love to its fullest. Guided by Zdovc, who was an overachiever as a player, Union Olimpija will be a dangerous wild card going into the Euroleague season.

NEMANJA ALEKSANDROV, FORWARD One of the most intriguing players in the 2009-10 Euroleague has to be versatile forward Nemanja Aleksandrov of Union Olimpija, who is getting ready for his debut in Europe's signature competition. At age 22, Aleksandrov has overcome a good numbers of injuries and problems that have prevented him from fulfilling his endless potential - so far. He missed the entire 2008-09 season due to a knee injury and has seen limited playing time over the last four years, but Aleksandrov is working hard to bounce back. If he can do so, Olimpija will have a gem of a player who creates mismatches just stepping on the court. Back in 2005, Aleksandrov was simply one of the world's top prospects at any level, able to do virtually anything on the court. He combined outstanding ballhandling for a man his size with unlimited range, unselfishness, versatility and mobility. In other words, he was simply the complete package, a player able to make the difference at any level with the right development. He led the Serbia and Montenegro national team to win the 2003 under-16 European Championships, earning MVP honors and shocking everyone with his all-around skills. Aleksandrov averaged 20.5 points and 18.5 rebounds at the 2005 Euroleague International Junior Tournament in Tel Aviv and had the world in his hands - a tall, talented big man in a top basketball factory like FMP. After that, Aleksandrov signed a four-year deal with Crvena Zvezda but far from becoming a superstar, he never managed to display his skills. If Aleksandrov shows that injuries belong to the past, his one-year deal with Olimpija is a win-win situation for both sides. He will have the chance to show he still can become a top forward while Olimpija fans would be able to enjoy having on their team a truly unique player. Time will tell, but Aleksandrov has a very good chance to focus, stay healthy and finally become a strong Euroleague presence, which would mean a lot to Olimpija's aspirations for 2009-10.