Marcus Hall (185-G-85, college: Colorado) will be one of the main weapons of Levski Sofia in the tough battle against reigning champion Lukoil Academik Sofia in the Finals of the Bulgarian League, starting on Tuesday. Hall returned to Bulgaria, after spending his rookie season in Europe in the same team, but is yet to gain silverware this year. The charismatic combo guard is sure of Levski Sofias ability to win the championship something no one other than Lukoil Academik Sofia has done in the last 10 years. (AUDIO)
Marcus, Game 1 from the Finals tomorrow, what are the expectations? We have to come out, be aggressive, and do what we practiced, and we should be OK, well have the chance to win the game.
You already played one final this season against Lukoil Academik Sofia, you had great game plan but it didnt work out in the end. Whats going to change now? We felt like we controlled the whole game, and let it loose the last 6-7 minutes, we know that we played hard. As long as we execute in offense, well be fine. We think we can guard them, so well see.
You already won one game in Pravets this season, maybe with the newcomer then Jarett Howell. Do you have something to surprise them with this time? We are an older team, so have better focus on the road. Guys are mature, understand what they have to bring on the road. Being on the road is not a problem for us, we take that challenge. Our main goal is to steal Game 1.
Whats Lukoil Academik Sofias biggest strength? That they have five shooters at all times. I think except Tencho Banev, everyone can shoot threes. I noticed that they shoot a lot of threes.
Those were pretty tough four games on the semifinals. Are they in a way helping you out being in a better condition now? Yes, they challenged us. I think people forgot that they beat Lukoil Academik Sofia twice this season. We were laid back in the beginning of the series, but we figured out that theyre going to bring it, so we had to bring it. Weve been through it all this year. We had our tests, we were blown out, we won big games, we won on the road, its been building us for this opportunity thats coming up.
You were in a perfect shape before the Balkan League Final 4, then the injury slowed you down a little bit. How are you now? I told my mom right when I got this ankle injury, that I had been playing my type of basketball, I was feeling good. I had to sit out a week, but I am back in shape. Harper keep telling me Be aggressive, be aggressive, so I will be ready, believe me.
Whats the chemistry inside the team? Its great. All year we are having a new player Justin, Jarett, now Chavdar, and guys are getting hurt here and there. But now we finally have the whole team, everybody is healthy, so we feel good.
You will need more than 1-2 players playing at your best, if you want to win three games. Obviously. Not just us, them too. They cant beat us with just one person. We know we have to have 2-3 guys to step up. We know they going to get on Harper, but people on this team know they can get something out of me, and we hope other guys step up too.
You played two really bad games against Lukoil Academik Sofia this season, they shut you down, they were very good defensively. Do you know how to handle this now? Yes, I was just too anxious in the beginning of the season. I wasnt playing my type of game. It was different to play with another scorer. Right before I got injured, I started figuring out how to get my shots. I wouldnt give all the credit to them, I shut myself down. They are a solid defensive team, but Im going to be OK.
You already have one Cup with Levski Sofia, do you expect one more? I have to get it. I need this!
Balkan and Rilski Sportist tied the Semifinals at 2-2 - May 15, 2013
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Balkan - Levski Sofia 92-80 (2-2)
The game was mostly controlled by Balkan. Levski Sofia was better in second period 29-24. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They made 27-of-34 charity shots (79.4 percent) during the game. Levski Sofia was plagued by 30 personal fouls down the stretch [read more]
The game was mostly controlled by Balkan. Levski Sofia was better in second period 29-24. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They made 27-of-34 charity shots (79.4 percent) during the game. Levski Sofia was plagued by 30 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Jordan Bozov (191-79, agency: Global Sports Plaza) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and 6 rebounds and Serbian forward Vladimir Panic (194-82) who added 20 points and 7 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws) during the contest. Four Balkan players scored in double figures. At the losing side Serbian point guard Marko Marinovic (183-83) responded with 26 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and Serbian center Mladen Pantic (209-82, agency: Alti Sport) scored 14 points and 7 rebounds. Levski Sofia's coach Konstantin Papazov rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Top scorers: Balkan: J.Bozov 22+6reb+3ast, V.Panic 20+7reb+3ast, A.Santos 14+6reb+2ast, S.Marinov 14+4reb+5ast, U.Petrovic 9+1reb+2ast, S.Slaveykov 9+2reb Levski Sofia: M.Marinovic 26+5reb+4ast, M.Pantic 14+7reb, C.Kostov 9+2reb+5ast, N.Varbanov 8+7reb, P.Ivanov 5+1reb+1ast, D.Anguelov 4+2reb
Rilski Sportist made 27-of-31 free shots (87.1 percent) during the game. 26 personal fouls committed by Lukoil Academik helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of naturalized Serbian guard Branko Mirkovic (190-82, agency: Global Sports Plaza) who helped to win the game recording 36 points (!!!) and 8 assists. American-Italian forward Angelo Caloiaro (203-89, college: USF) contributed with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. American center Darryl Watkins (211-84, college: Syracuse) replied with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 13 rebounds and his fellow American import guard Brandon Heath (193-84, college: San Diego St.) added 27 points in the effort for Lukoil Academik. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Top scorers: Rilski Sportist: B.Mirkovic 36+1reb+8ast, T.Smith 19+2reb+1ast, A.Caloiaro 11+11reb+2ast, S.Vaklinov 11+4reb+1ast, H.Zahariev 8+1reb+4ast, T.Gugino 6+11reb+1ast Lukoil Academik: B.Heath 27+2ast, D.Watkins 19+13reb+1ast, B.Popovic 16+2reb+5ast, D.Haritopoulos 15+6reb+1ast, T.Stoykov 6+3reb+1ast, P.Marinov 3+4reb
Levski Sofia is now ahead 2-1 in the semifinal series of the championship against Balkan Botevgrad. In Game 3 The Greens from Botevgrad won at home 86-78 and kept alive their chances of reaching the finals. Game 4 is on Wednesday in Botevgrad.
Balkan had a great start to the match and scored the opening 12 points. Late in the first half the team went up by 22, but Levski started the third quarter well and came right back into the match [read more]
Levski Sofia is now ahead 2-1 in the semifinal series of the championship against Balkan Botevgrad. In Game 3 The Greens from Botevgrad won at home 86-78 and kept alive their chances of reaching the finals. Game 4 is on Wednesday in Botevgrad.
Balkan had a great start to the match and scored the opening 12 points. Late in the first half the team went up by 22, but Levski started the third quarter well and came right back into the match. In the last quarter the visitors cut their deficit to 5 points, but then Balkan scored a triple and a two-pointer and managed to hold on to their lead until the end.
Vladimir Panic (194-F-82) was the top scorer for the winners with 25 points, as he also added 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Jordan Bozov (191-G-79) had 16 points and Stanislav Slaveykov (198-F-86) scored 14.
Julian Radionov (187-PG-79) is the new head coach of one of the most respected Bulgarian teams - Tundja Yambol.
Long time national team player, outstanding playmaker and one of the most intelligent competitors in the country, Radionov decided to leave the floor and take the next challenge - on the sideline.
Radionov played for Tundja Yambol in the last four seasons, and has always been fan favorite, which he hopes will continue to be so when he is on the bench [read more]
Julian Radionov (187-PG-79) is the new head coach of one of the most respected Bulgarian teams - Tundja Yambol. Long time national team player, outstanding playmaker and one of the most intelligent competitors in the country, Radionov decided to leave the floor and take the next challenge - on the sideline. Radionov played for Tundja Yambol in the last four seasons, and has always been fan favorite, which he hopes will continue to be so when he is on the bench. Julian Radionov is inheriting the position from legendary Ivan Cholakov , who left basketball to pursue career in politics. Cholakov left Diana Hall in tears after an emotional ceremony on Tuesday.
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