UNION OLIMPIJA

ROSTER

6 CAPIN, ALEKSANDAR G 1.86 7 ROTHBART, ROBERT C 2.17 8 BLAZIC, JAKA G 1.93 9 THOMPSON, DEON F 2.03 10 WOODSIDE, BEN G 1.80 11 MURIC, DINO F 1.99 12 JAGODNIK, GORAN F 2.02 13 SALIN, SASU F 1.92 14 GREEN, DANNY G 1.98 21 VARDA, RATKO C 2.13 22 MARKOTA, DAMIR C 2.08 24 BERTANS, DAVIS F 2.05 Head Coach: FILIPOVSKI, SASO

Historic Results 2010-11: 7-9, Top 16 2009-10: 1-9, Regular Season 2008-09: 2-8, Regular Season 2007-08: 4-10, Regular Season 2006-07: 5-9, Regular Season 2005-06: 5-9, Regular Season 2004-05: 6-8, Regular Season 2003-04: 7-13, Top 16 2002-03: 12-8, Top 16 2001-02: 10-10, Top 16 2000-01: 9-6, Playoffs

2010-11 Results Euroleague: Regular Season 6-4 Top 16 1-5 Adriatic League: Finalist Slovenian League: Finalist Slovenian Cup: Champion

With the great fan support in its new home, Stozice Arena, which quickly became one of the toughest home courts in Europe, Union Olimpija enters another Turkish Airlines Euroleague adventure looking to build on its recent success. The club from the Slovenian capital will try to make consecutive Top 16 appearance for the first time in seven years as it enters the season with Saso Filipovski back as the head coach. Filipovski has spent more than a decade with the club, but begins is his second stint as Olimpija’s head coach. This year’s team has undergone significant changes from last year with many important parts missing, including floor general Vlado Ilievski. But with the addition of players like Danny Green and Ratko Varda and a group of bright young talents, Union Olimpija will aim to meet rising expectations and provide its fans with another memorable run.



Olimpija has an all-new backcourt with the playmaking duties moving to the hands of Ben Woodside. His quickness, good shooting and ability to see the floor make him both a dangerous scorer and a man who can create scoring opportunities for teammates. Woodside should bring strong on-court leadership to the team, while the other new point guard, veteran Aleksandar Capin, adds both leadership and experience to the mix. Youngster Sasu Salin plays at both guard positions and in addition to his terrific shooting skills has athleticism and a feel for offensive rebounding. Rookie shooting guard Jaka Blazic will probably see limited minutes, but could develop into a contributor as the season progresses. The player Olimpija is hoping to be its go-to-guy is the swingman Danny Green. With his catch-and-shoot ability from any spot on the floor, combined with his athleticism and the ability to play great defense, Green could be the main scoring threat. Olimpija has more young talent at the small forward positions in Dino Muric and Davis Bertans. Muric will look to build on the experience he gained as a reserve last year, while Bertans boasts a 2.05-meter frame that gives him a height advantage over most players at the position and makes it easier for him to punish opponents with his great shooting touch.

The front line starts with team captain Goran Jagodnik. Coming off another productive season, Jagodnik brings leadership into the locker room and toughness at the power forward position. He is an offensive threat both in the paint as well as behind the arc. Damir Markota brings athleticism to the front line and unlimited shooting range, while rookie Deon Thompson gives Olimpija size and strength underneath the rim. Thompson can play either power forward or center, which gives coach Filipovski versatility in his lineup. Likewise the addition of Ratko Varda keeps Olimpija strong on the blocks. He is a skillful center who can create out of the post, does not run away from the defensive dirty work and often comes through when the game is on the line. Rookie Robert Rothbart is a strong rebounder and shot-blocker who is deceptively quick for his 2.17-meter size.

The mixture of an experienced front court, athletic guards and several highly talented young players promises to make Union Olimpija one of the most dynamic teams in the competition this season. Moreover, the powerful options inside combine with the arsenal of outside shooters means that Olimpija can catch fire at any time and presents the team with a chance for another memorable Euroleague run.

VIDEOS Damir Markota Saso Filipovski Aleksandar Capin