|
|
2008-09 Eurocup season starts tonight!
|
 That time has finally arrived Eurocup fans! The 2008-09 season kicks off today with the first leg of the first qualifying round! Some 14 teams will battle each other in seven exciting two-way series in which every point will count! The winners will advance to the second qualifying round, with a chance to join clubs like Lietuvos Rytas, Pamesa Valencia, Khimki, Dynamo Moscow, Turk Telekom and Besiktas ColaTurka, among many others in the competition’s regular season. And those who are knocked off in this round will play the EuroChallenge, organized by FIBA Europe. Due to Orlandina Basket's last-minute withdrawal, Benetton Olympic Fribourg, which was scheduled to compete in this first round of qualifying, has already reached the second qualifying round, where it will face Kalise Gran Canaria. The seven remaining spots are up for grabs and the thrill of elimination rounds is back in the Eurocup, as several elite teams try to work their way into the regular season!
In Matchup A, Siauliai hosts Galatasaray Cafe Crown in a showdown of different basketball philosophies. Siauliai features an all-Lithuanian team led by Gintaras Kadziulis, Andrius Slezas and Saulius Kuzminskas, while Galatasaray, which placed fourth in the competition last season, features Milan Gurovic, Dejan Milojevic and Andrija Zizic as its main players. EclipseJet MyGuide Amsterdam takes on BC FMP in Matchup B. Amsterdam kept the core of players that won the Dutch League last season, including Teddy Gipson, Peter van Paassen and Tamien Trent plus newcomer Orien Green, while FMP rejuvenated its roster in addition to keeping Dragan Labovic and Predrag Samardziski. In Matchup C, Energa Czarni makes its Eurocup debut against Unics Kazan, which made it to the Final Eight last season. Unics has a strong roster featuring Tariq Kirksay, Marko Popovic, Marc Jackson and Terrell Lyday. Czarni is inexperienced at this level, but plays the first leg at home, so it will try to get the lead in the series with Jay Straight, Jack Ingram and Marcin Sroka.
Allianz Swans Gmunden hopes to build on its great 2007-08 season in the series against Estonian League champion Tartu Rock. Gmunden survived the regular season last year and kept star guard Deteri Mayes while bringing Elijah Palmer and Shelton Colwell in the paint. Rock comes will a well-known reference in Tanoka Beard, as well as a good number of well-rounded players like Gert Kullamae, Tanel Tein and Janar Talts. One of the most interesting series comes in Matchup E, where Telekom Baskets Bonn faces Panellinios. Bonn has reloaded its roster and features Winsome Frazier, Ken Johnson and Vincent Yarbrough as its leaders. Meanwhile, Panellinios signed Brad Newley, Jurica Golemac, Ivan Radenovic and Djuro Ostojic while keeping star guard Anthony Grundy. In Matchup F, Triumph Lyubertsy goes against Base Oostende in yet another high-level matchup. Triumph played a heavy role in the off-season market with signings like Marcus Goree, Kerem Tunceri, J.R. Bremer and above all, Nenad Krstic. Oostende also worked hard this summer, landing Jimmy Baxter, Rashid Atkins, Mike Bauer and Matt Haryasz. Underestimating Oostende would be a major mistake for any opponent. Last but not least, ASK Riga takes on Cholet Basket in Matchup H. ASK offers Corey Brewer, Sandis Valters, Gatis Jahovics and Bruno Sundov as its main references. Meanwhile, Cholet features star guard Nando De Colo, as well as Alan Wiggins, Claude Marquis and top prospect Rodrigue Beaubois. So sit back, relax and enjoy a strong start of European club competitions!
|
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Eurocupbasketball.com
|
|