Virtus: Di Bella 12, Best 11, Ilievski 10, Drejer 9, Blizzard 6, Crosariol 6, Gugliotta 6, Michelori 6, Vukcevic 6, Evtimov 4, Giovannoni 4.


   Girona smashes Estudiantes to reach the Final - Apr. 14, 2007 
Girona-Estudiantes 89:58 (26:14, 15:16, 22:12, 26:16)

Girona celebrated an easy win over Estudiantes in the semifinal game of Eurocup. Supported by almost 5000 fans, the host team set a new EuroCup Final Four record. An 89:58 win sent Girona to the Final of Eurocup, where it will be a favorite with the Ukrainian Azovmash. The 58 points scored by Estudiantes will be written until new notice as the fewest points scored in a game. Both Mc Donalds top-scored for their teams. Arriel McDonald (191-G-72, college: Minnesota) led the winners with 21 points. San Emeterio chipped in 15, while Dainius Salenga (197-F-77) and Marko Marinovic (183-G-83) added 11 points each. William McDonald (207-C-79, college: S.Florida) nailed 11 points in defeat.
This game was seen twice as many spectators as the first one. The performance shown in another one was highly valued by the fans.
Girona easily won the opening tip and finished the first quarter with 26:14. Estudiantes somehow was stronger in the second quarter winning it 15:16. With lots of mistakes and turnovers the latter could not struggle in the second half at all. Girona advantaged with 10 points deficit in each quarter to win 89:58. The hosts of Final Four will play in the Final which is scheduled for tomorrow.

Girona: Arriel McDonald 21, San Emeterio 15, Dainius Salenga 11, Marko Marinovic 11, Gasol 9 + 6 rebs, Gregor Fucka (214-C-71, agency: Interperformances) 8 + 6 rebs
Estudiantes: William McDonald 11, Urgell 9 + 6 rbs + 5 ast

   Led by 18 points Azovmash luckily escaped with 74:73 win over Virtus - Apr. 14, 2007 
Virtus-Azovmash 73:74 (14:29, 21:21, 17:8, 21:16)

Ukrainian Azovmash triumphed in the semifinal game of Eurocup after a 74:73 win over Virtus. Azovmash held a 15-point lead after a huge first quarter, but in the following 10 minutes the future winners showed a different type of game. Panagiotis Liadelis (193-G-74) led the winners with 24 points. Ricardo Powell (201-F-83, college: S.Carolina) posted in 16, while Lischuck and Kenan Bajramovic (206-F-81, agency: Beo Basket) contributed with 11 points each. Travis Best (180-G-72, college: Georgia Tech) was the best in the losing effort.
Ukrainian champions made six of their first eight shots from the field to jump out to a quick 12:3 lead. A 13-0 run by Azovmash helped them to advantage with 29:14 after the opening quarter.
The team from Mariupol played better the second quarter as well, however tied it at 21:21 that gave them 50:35 lead at the half. In the third quarter Virtus showed a tough defense and won that period 17:8.
With 3 minutes to play in the last quarter, Travis Best nailed a big three pointer to give Virtus a 71:70 lead. In the final minute of the game Kenan Bajramovic missed two free throws and another clutch shot that could have cost the game with 11 seconds on the clock, but he was also on the defensive rebound right after Virtus missed their last shot. A 74:73 win, that could be considered as a lucky one, however deserved, was reached by Azovmash.

Virtus: Travis Best 14, Andrea Michelori (202-F/C-78) 12+9 rebs, Brett Blizzard (191-G-80, agency: Octagon, college: NC-Wilmington) 11

Azovmash: Panagiotis Liadelis (193-G-74) 24, Ricardo Powell 16, Lischuck 11+11 rebs, Kenan Bajramovic 11


   Pavello Fontajau opens the doors for Final Four - Apr. 13, 2007 
Fiba Eurocup holds the Final Four of the tournament tonight. Akasvayu Girona and MMT Estudiantes Madrid will make up the Spanish semifinal, while VidiVici Bologna
will face Azovmash Mariupol.
Eurobasket suggests to have a look at the road to Final Four of each team.
Let us start with the hosts. Akasvayu Girona did not lose any game in the Group D having a 6-0 record. The team repeated its record with 6-0 in the second round in Group L. Panionis from Greece could upset Girona for the first time in Quarterfinals, however lost two games in Spain. With this result, plus the support of the home fans, Akasvayu Girona has an advantage in the tournament.
MMT Estudiantes Madrid that will play with Girona in the first semifinal game finished Group A with 5-1 record. The Spanish team repeated the record in Group I with 5-1. Dynamo from Moscow region lost to MMT Estudiantes Madrid two times in a row that made the latter also favorite of Final Four.
Italian VidiVici Bologna won Group H with 5-1 record. It participated in Group L together with Akasvayu Girona, but finished second with 4-2. In the Quarterfinal series Italian team swept Turk Telekom to qualify to Final Four.
Ukrainian Azovmash Mariupol is the underdog in Final Four, however many specialists predict not to think so and put Ukrainian side on the top. With 4-2 record Azovmash Mariupol ended in Group C. Later on in Group J it increased to 5-1 leaving Dynamo MR, Kalev and Maroussi behind. The team from Mariupol overcame AEL in three games in Quarterfinals.


FINAL FOUR
Pavello Fontajau, Girona


13.04.2007
SEMIFINALS
Azovmash Mariupol - VidiVici Bologna
Akasvayu Girona - MMT Estudiantes Madrid


   Eurobasket Monthly Scouting Report for March just released - Mar. 30, 2007 
Eurobasket released another issue of it's monthly scouting report (March edition is ...117 pages long). It's the most in-depth scouting report available in the World with focus on the top prospects from outside of the U.S.
In March edition: One of the last 2006-07 reviews of top young prospects in many countries (mostly European) around the World and continuation of international championships for U18 and U16 teams.

You can get a copy on http://www.eurobasket.com/report1.asp 


   FIBA All-Star Game 2007: It was magical! - Mar. 20, 2007 
It was all perfect! The 2007 FIBA All-Star Game is now only a magnificent memory. Limassol was once again the perfect stage for the event and the 7 thousand fans that packed the “Spyros Kyprianou” arena pushed players and entertainers to reach their limits and provide the fans with high class basketball.

For the third consecutive year DTL EKA AEL Limassol and Cyprus managed to host the event with success. The stadium was once again packed with excited fans, while the choice to bring popular singer Michalis Hatzigiannis proved very successful since it kept the spectators to their seats until the very end of the event with his after game concert being a major hit

Tuesday, 20th of March proved to be a thrilling day for us basketball enthusiasts and journalists.

Delightfully long day
A long night sleep wasn't enough for what we were to face in Cyprus' basketball capital. The interesting “How to create and maintain a Champion team” symposium meant that the departure from Nicosia was set at 7:30 in the morning. The “Four Seasons” hotel was the ideal place to kick-off the All-Star Day. Basketball journalists from the island and abroad, clubs and FIBA officials were there to listen to the excellent speakers.

Morning symposium
First up was Michael Loizides, the man who along with a team of partners created the DTL EKA AEL we see dominating today in Cypriot basketball. He presented the AEL case and the reasons why the Limassol team managed to come back from the decay of the 90's and become a new coming European powerhouse.

The All-Star Day organizer said that “it's harder to reach the top than to remain there and not the other way around”. He also presented the five steps of a basketball team with DTL EKA AEL starting as nobody and passed by the stages of contender and winner to become champions. The fifth step which is the dynasty stage is the next goal for the Limassol team.

Next to the podium was Sasa Volkov, the Ukrainian legend and chairman of Kiev B.C. His subject of how to build an Olympic Gold medalist team turned into a personal story of the Soviet Union's painful preparation for the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.

The last two speakers were Dr. Titos Christofidis, president of the Cyprus Sports Authority and Kostas Mpatis on behalf of the Greek General Secretary of Sports Stavros Douvis. Dr. Christofidis spoke of the role the government should have in sports and especially about the Cyprus case.

Lunch of surprises
A necessary relaxation in the hotels lounge after a rich feast was needed to charge the batteries for the rest of the day. The lunch was full of different interesting happenings. Amongst them was the meeting of Iraqi Freddy John-Paul, the Apollon Limassol football chairman (up until a few days ago when he resigned), and Canadian Nar Zanolin, FIBA Europe Executive Director, who had a long conversation before Michael Loizides joined them.

Keravnos coach Vassilis Fragias and former Keravnos coach Memos Ioannou shared the same table along with the well known Greek journalist Vassilis Skountis.

Arrival at the venue
The arrival at the stadium about two and a half hours before the event meant that we were from the first people there. We arrived the moment Michalis Hatzigiannis was on the stage doing his final preparations for his concert after the match. The television crew was already in place with more than 10 cameras covering the game, promising a great view for the millions that watched the event live.

The presence of the Chicago Bulls Matadors and Luvabulls and the Russian cheerleading group of Khimky gave a perfect opportunity for interviews and the necessary… photographs next to the girls. While talking to the Luvabulls, it was time for the Matadors to make their appearance in the stadium in preparation for the event. With red pointy hair, afro cuts, sun glasses that resembled Christmas lights but most important very huge waist lines, they brought many laughter before even getting out of the locker rooms.

The “Spyros Kyprianou” arena was already packed a few minutes before the jump-ball. It was time for the show. The lights went off and the event started. First up was Michalis Hatzigiannis who sang two of his popular songs to the excited crowd while next was Dave the Horn Guy who drove people crazy with the stuff he can do using just… horns!

Team presentation
The team presentations followed with the Chicago Luvabulls welcoming the Rest of the World and the Khimky cheerleaders the players of Europe. The most noise was recorded during the presentation of AEL members Milutin Aleksic of Europe, Jeron Roberts of Rest of the World and coach Igors Miglinieks of Europe. The two Turkish players Tutku Acik and Bekir Yarangume received applaud by the fans besides the tension between Cyprus and Turkey proving once again that sports unites.

Three-point competition
Between the first and second period the three-point competition took place with the local favorite Andreas Pilavas of ENAD Agios Dometios beating all odds and winning the competition. Pilavas shot last and managed to tie Arvydas Cepulis at 14 points and beat Laurent Sciarra who had 13. In the final Andreas once with amazing calm and with the support of the crowd managed to score 15 points and overcome his opponent.

Pilavas talked to Eurobasket Cyprus after the event and told us that he has been practicing since Saturday when he found out that he will take part in the competition. With the help of ENAD captain Marios Argyrou, Pilavas trained his shot at the ENAD stadium to be ready for the All-Star Game.

He said that he believed he could win despite others saying that he will have the same fate with the other Cypriots that took part in the 2005 and 2006 three-point competitions.

Dunking competition
At halftime it was time for the fans favorite, the dunking competition. Three players that compete in the Cyprus league, Isaac Burton of Achilleas Kaimakliou, Ryan Randle of AEL and Duke Tshomba of Omonia Nicosia, alongside with two members of the Slamnation group took part. It was a hard battle with many impressive dunks and Ryan Randle the winner although Duke Tshomba could win the "motivate the fans" award with his performance with the microphone! If he didn't miss the dunk then he could have won the competition.

We watched a dunk over four Matadors, a player kicking the ball while stuck between the hoop and the back-board. Two hands back dunks were also on the schedule.

All-Star Game!
The game itself stored many thrills to the spectators with the Rest of the World winning 105-95. Team Rest of the World managed to finish the first period with a big 15 point lead (19-34) and kept the lead until the end of the third period. At halftime Rest of the World were in front by 14 points (45-59) while at the end of the third quarter the margin dropped down to 12 (69-81).

In the last period Europe managed to come close and even tie the score at 94-94 a couple of minutes to go. But Rest of the World with Erwin Dudley in great form secured their win (105-95) giving the Rest of the World a 4-0 lead over Europe in the European All-Star Games since 2004.

Erwin Dudley of Turk Telekom was voted MVP after he scored 23 points and gathered 4 rebounds. Other five players had double digit points. Marque Perry, Kennedy Winston and Andre Hutson had 14 points each, Ariel McDonald made 13 and Khalid El-Amin scored 11 points.

For Team Europe, Ukrainian star Serhiy Lishchuk scored 15 points while Arvydas Cepulis followed with 12 points.

Periods: 19-34, 45-59, 69-81, 95-105
Europe (Svetislav Pesic): Sciarra 11 (3), Padius, Loncar 8, Aleksic 9, Drozdov 10 (2), Drejer 7, Valters 4, Acik 3 (1), Lishchuk 15, Yarangume 7 (1), Cepulis 12 (1), Gasol 9.
Rest of the World (Zare Markovski): Perry 14 (2), Millage 2, El-Amin 11 (3), Conlan, Lux 6, Roberts 2, McDonald 13 (1), Reed 4, Giovannoni 2, Dudley 23, Winston 14 (2), Hutson 14.

When the match was over it was time for the awards with Andreas Pilavas, Ryan Randle and Erwin Dudley accepting the honours from the hosts.

The end of the event had the Chicago Luvabulls and Matadors and the Khimky cheerleaders dancing Zorbas with the local folklore group of Dionysos along with the cheers of the 7 thousand fans in the evenings most emotional moment

A truly magical night with the hope that FIBA Europe will entrust Cyprus to host the 2008 FIBA All-Star Game.


   FIBA All-Star Game 2007: It's time! - Mar. 19, 2007 
It's only a few hours away! Cyprus is all ready to host the FIBA All-Star Day 2007 which is set to take place in the "Spyros Kyprianou" arena in Limassol on March 20th.

Everything is in place. Eurobasket Cyprus traveled to Limassol on Monday (19/3) to witness the preparations for the event. The arena is going under the last touch and everything is ready for the 8 thousand lucky fans that will watch the All-Star Game live.

The coaches and 24 players are already in Cyprus and so are the entertainment groups. The Chicago Bulls Luvabulls and Matadors were in a tight schedule with all the events on Monday while the Russian cheerleaders of Khimky found some time to pop over to the "Spyros Kyprianou" arena and prepare for Tuesday's showdown. Popular singer Michalis Hatzigiannis came from Greece and spent Monday at his home in Nicosia.

In the mean time Limassol is all ready for the event. Banners are hanging in the seafront avenue while the excitement is high for the European Basketball's celebration.

Press conference
In the press conference that took place on Monday (19/3) the organizing committee president Michael Loizides said that it's going to be a great event to witness and was sure that the arena will be sold out just like the previous two years the All-Star Game took place in Cyprus.

"Their's a lot of countries that want this event but it's not easy with low temperatures and bad weather conditions for something like this to be successful in all levels. Cyprus is a fun country! It's a welcoming place with welcoming people and everyone knows that they will have fun here. With the excellent team of my partners who have proven that they can organize such an event successfully, we provide the necessary and good conditions for the event to take place here", said Michael Loizides about why Cyprus is the right place for the All-Star Day.

It's the day!
Tuesday (20/3) is expected to be a long and beautiful day. Two interesting seminars will take place in the morning, the All-Star coaching seminar and the Convention of European Basketball. Eurobasket Cyprus will be at Limassol from early in the morning and bring all action to basketball enthusiasts.


   Akasvayu reached EuroCup Final Four - Mar. 15, 2007 
Akasvayu Girona - Panionios Forthnet Athens 83-49 (20-20, 15-2, 29-14, 19-13)

Akasvayu Girona became the last team to clinch a EuroCup Final Four berth by demolishing Panionios Athens 83-49 in front of crowd of 4100 in Pavello Fontajau in the third and last game of their quarterfinals play-off. Spanish team gained their advantage over Greek side in second quarter when they limited vistitors to just two points. In third quarter they delivered a knockout punch beating their rivals 29-14. Marko Marinovic (183-G-83) (3-for-7 behind the arc) and Fernando San Emetrio (6 rebounds) led a balanced Akasvayu scoring attack with 11 points. Gregor Fucka added 10 points. Akasvayu dominated also the boards, winning that battle 33-16. Damir Maljkovic and Andre Hutson had 10 ponts apiece for Panionios. Team from Athens must now focus all of their attention on reaching the Greek play-offs.

Girona: Marinovic 11, San Emetrio, 11, Fucka 10, Bagaric 9, Gabriel 8, Gasol 8, Mc Donald 8, Thornton 5, Middleton 4, Salenga 4, Sada 3, Keselj 2.
Athens: Hutson 10, Miljkovic 10, Dragojlovic 9, Perperoglou 9, Winston 5, Angelopoulos 2, Kafkis 2, Subara 2.


   FIBA EuroCup: AEL lost in Ukraine and finished a very successful European campaign - Mar. 14, 2007 
It was over before it even started. AEL's dream to qualify to the Final-4 of the FIBA EuroCup will have to wait one more year. The Cypriot champions suffered a heavy loss 97-69 by Azovmash in Mariupol and lost 2-1 the quarterfinal series against the Ukrainian side.

A very successful European season came to an end for AEL and now the Limassol team will focus on the domestic titles and the FIBA All-Star Game which they are organizing.

AEL traveled to Ukraine with the support of 100 fans and the hope that they can break Azovmash's home court following the win last Friday (9/3) in Limassol. But it was the home side that started the game in a great manner and took the lead 12-2 early on. AEL seemed to be lost in the court and the Ukrainians quickly built a big lead which they kept to the end. The first period finished with Azovmash in the lead 31-7 following a 12-0 run!

In the next three periods the two teams were pretty much equal. But the large margin of the first period put an early end to the game.

Khalid El-Amin was by far Azovmash's top player. The American guard scored 26 points, gathered 5 rebounds and gave 5 assists. Kenan Bajramovic scored 19 points, gathered 7 rebounds and gave 3 assists.

For AEL after the tragic first period, Mike King scored 13 points and gathered 6 rebounds. Urbonas scored 12 points all in the second half while Aleksic and Randle had 10 points each. But the bad first period didn't allow AEL to fight for the win.

Periods: 31-7, 49-24, 69-43, 97-69
Azovmash Mariupol: El-Amin 26 (3), Rayevskyy 8 (2), Liadellis 14, Botichev 3, Skutyelnik 2, Rimac 4, Gulyas 4, Loktionov, Lishchuk 3, Powell 14, Bajramovic 19 (3).
AEL Limassol: Urbonas 12, King 13 (3), Kounounis 4, Aleksic 10 (1), Randle 10, Roberts 7 (1), Palalas 6, Van de Hare 4, Spyrou 3 (1), Hlebowicki.


   FIBA All-Star Game 2007: Tickets on sale - Mar. 11, 2007 
The organizers of the FIBA EuroCup All-Star Day 2007 that will take place in Limassol, Cyprus on March 20th announced the pre-selling of the tickets for the event. The ticket sales will start on Monday (12/3) after 15:00.

The prices are:
VIP: 30 Cyprus Pounds (50 Euros)
Adults: 15 Cyprus Pounds (25 Euros)
Students: 10 Cyprus Pounds (17 Euros)
Children: 5 Cyprus Pounds (8 Euros).

The tickets will be sold around the island in chosen places.
In Nicosia:
1. Mad Music Store, City Plaza, Makareiou Ave. (tel.00357-22750505)

In Limassol:
1. Alambra kiosk, Gladstonos Str. (tel. 00357-25353221)
2. Valentinos kiosk, Christaki Kranou Str., Germasogeia (tel. 00357-25879992)
3. Ntinos kiosk, Omonia Ave. (tel. 00357-25560249)
4. Valentinos kiosk, Old harbour across dock, (tel. 00357-25355565)
5. In all Musical Paradise (tel. 00357-25392411 and 00357-25324025)
6. LTV-Nikos Solomonides arena

In Larnaka:
1. Michalis Theodotou kiosk, Municipal garden entrance (tel. 00357-24664546)

In Paphos:
1. Antros kiosk, opposite Paphos Fire department (tel. 00357-26953820).


   Dynamo Moscow Region said bye to Eurocup - Mar. 10, 2007 
Dynamo Moscow Region- Club Estudiantes 74-78 (30-15, 10-19, 14-26, 20-18)

Dynamo Moscow Region had to stop their participation in Eurocup. A pity 74:78 loss at home from Club Estudiantes qualified the latter to the semifinal of the Eurocup. Club Estudiantes won the first game at home as well 80:70. The series ended up without the third decisive game. Roderick Blakney (181-G-76, college: S.Carolina St.)and Nikolai Padius (197-G-80) top-scored for Dynamo with 14 points. Marlon Garnett (188-G-75, college: Santa Clara) led the winners with 22 points.

Dynamo had one of the best openings in the Eurocup this season. It finished the first quarter with 30:15. Estudiantes however started the second quarter on an 18-3 run that tied the game up at 33:33. Dynamo luckily moved through the gears again and the hosts were 40:34 ahead at half-time.

Club Estudiantes had a better third quarter and won 14:26. In the end of the last Nikolai Padius made the score 72:70 with 1:09 on the clock. It was Marlon Garnett and Iker Iturbe (200-F/C-76, agency: Court Side, college: Clemson) who made the free throws to down Dynamo 78:74. Russian team was eliminated from Eurocup in the quarterfinal stage. The semifinals of Eurocup will be without Russian teams.

Dynamo Moscow Region: Roderick Blakney 14, Nikolai Padius 14, Giedrius Gustas (190-G-80, agency: Interperformances) 11

Club Estudiantes: Marlon Garnett 22, McDonald 12


   FIBA EuroCup: Inspirational Aleksic sends AEL back to Ukraine for the decisive match - Mar. 9, 2007 
AEL Limassol is right back on track after tying the quarterfinals series of the FIBA EuroCup to 1-1. The Cypriot side took a thrilling win against Azovmash and will return to Ukraine for a third all-decisive game on Wednesday (14/3).