After The Deutsche Bank Skyliners upset Triumph Moscow last week, they wanted to duplicate their luck with a win against BC Kiev, but were disappointed as the Ukrainian team showed their total class in the last minutes totally taking apart Frankfurt and winning 66 to 58. The game also marked the return of ex three time BBL cup winner and BBL champ Sasa Obradovic who was no stranger to the Ballsporthalle in the last years. Coach Obradovic and Skyliner Titus Ivory (193-G-79, college: Penn St.) were reunited again after winning the BBL title in 2006 and gave each other a giant hug before the game. 'It was good to see Sascha again. I had a lot of success with him in Cologne', stated Titus Ivory. BC Kiev played a solid game and were never in any fear of losing the game.'This was a very hard fought game. We really needed a win on the road. This will put us in a good position to advance', said American James Penn (178-G-77, college: Ohio St.). Frankfurt fought hard in the second half, but down the stretch in the fourth quarter let Kiev go on a run to seal the win.'Their overall experience beat us at the end. We made too many mistakes in the last minutes that cost us the victory', said a sad Derrick Allen (203-F-80, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Mississippi). Frankfurt fall to 1-2 and Kiev to 2-1 in the standings.

Before the game, injured skyliner American Jimmy McKinney (192-G-83, agency: Strategic Sports, college: Missouri) predicted a defensive type of game, and that is exactly what the fans got. BC Kiev found their rhythm quickest as The Deutsche Bank Skyliners seemed a bit unsettled and couldnt get any kind of fluency into their game as Kiev led fast 8-0. All four baskets were produced in the Frankfurt zone as the big Kiev bodies were waltzing to the Basket alone as Frankfurt were uninvited guests in their own zone. Big Bosnian Kenan Bajramovic (206-F-81, agency: Beo Basket) scored twice including a dunk and American James Penn scored on a fabulous runner in the lane. Kiev was very awake, while Frankfurt seemed to still be taking an afternoon nap. Captain Pascal Roller (180-G-76) finally brought some life into the lifeless Frankfurt offense with a three pointer and three free throws. Suddenly BC Kiev led only 8-6 and Frankfurt had finally broken the ice. However BC Kiev scored two more times with an Artur Drozdov (198-G-80) mid range jumper and a high rainbow shot from Manuchar Markoishvilli. Pascal Roller ended the extremely low scoring first quarter with a runner in the lane. BC Kiev led 13-9. BC Kiev was playing strong defense that limited Frankfurt in their shot selection. Frankfurt was shooting a poor 9% from three point land and only 20% from two point range. The only joyous stat was the Frankfurt 13-10 rebound advantage. 'Frankfurt rebounded well. They boxed out very well, which was key. Their rebounding strength kept Frankfurt in the game', stressed James Penn.

BC Kiev became more vigorous in the second quarter as they sped off on a 13-4 run to take a commanding 25 to 13 lead. BC Kiev now controlled the game and The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were left in a unwanted hole reeling to crawl out. BC Kiev was playing a smart inside out game getting scoring production from American Alex Scales (192-G-78, college: Oregon) twice from three point land and easy buckets inside from Goran Jeretin (192-G-79, agency: Beo Basket) and Ex Alba Berlin player Jovo Stanojevic (208-C-77, agency: Beo Basket). Frankfurt could only score twice with a flying Keith Simmons (196-G-85, college: Holy Cross) from the wing for a lay up and a spectacular Ilian Evtimov (201-F-83, agency: Interperformances, college: N.Carolina St.) hoop. Evtimov posted up to Brent Wright (203-F/C-78, college: Florida) tried to go left, couldnt get by him, but then went to his right spinning around him so quickly that before Wright even knew what had happened Evtimov had already scored. BC Kiev continued to contain Frankfurt and were forcing many turnovers. However Lorenzo flash Gordon saved Frankfurt by trailing by even more as he scored six points down the stretch. BC Kiev still led 33-22 at halftime. Kiev was playing a very strong defense, but it seemed as if Frankfurt had still not reached their potential on offense as too many guys had yet not found their game pace. Frankfurt was still shooting a horrendous 10% from three point land and 20% from two point land. They were still dominating the boards, but their nine turnovers were not satisfactory. 'We had absolutely no intensity in the first half and way too many breakdowns', stated American Derrick Allen.

Coach Murat Didin worked some kind of magic in the halftime as his team returned with a fighting spirit and showed no alarm, as they took their game to a new level that BC Kiev coudnt defend as easily. Frankfurt went on a 10-2 run to cut the BC Kiev lead 35-32. 'I thought that we were still controlling the game even with their comeback. They were looking to find a go to guy. They had made many free throws', explained James Penn. Derrick Allen scored in the zone after a perfectly crafted pass from Titus Ivory. Allen and King hit some free throws and Konrad Wysocki (202-F-82, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Princeton) nailed a big three pointer. Frankfurt was displaying an aggressive defense, which seemed to be the ex factor in the Frankfurt game. 'Their diamond two defense was successful. We couldnt hit our shots. Their defense helped them comeback', said James Penn. American Anthony King also was showing that he can be a ferocious lion as he was a wall under the hoop. Frankfurt stayed close, but could not gain the lead yet. German Konrad Wysocki continued his smart play on offense scoring twice in the zone to cut the Kiev lead to 40-38. Manchuar Markoisvilli continued to demand the ball and he continued to make big shots. Kiev led 43 to 38, but Frankfurt went on a mini 4-0 run as American Titus Ivory tip toed into the lane and layed it in with his left hand and American Lorenzo Gordon (201-F-83, agency: Hart Sports Mngm, college: Oklahoma City) made a lay up. Kiev led only 43-42, but ex Alba Berlin player Goran Jeretin made a three pointer and BC Kiev led 46-42 after three quarters. The Frankfurt shooting percentages were slowly getting better, while the shooting percentage of Kiev was dwindling. Frankfurt still led the rebounding joust 32-28 and both teams suffered no turnovers in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter continued to be very exciting, but BC Kiev go the better start as Bajramovic scored a three pointer and BC Kiev led 49-42. Frankfurt knew the importance of the game and started a second comeback. Keith Simmons hit from outside. Lorenzo Gordon, who often makes it look so easy with his motions, had little work on the next hoop as he stood like a cherry picker and caught an Ivory airball and layed the ball in. Frankfurt now trailed only 49 to 46 and continued to get strong defensive stops. Ilian Evtimov had been quiet for long stretches of the game, but now became loud and made the Ballsporthlale into a loud cauldron hitting a massive three pointer knotting the game at 49. Coach Murat Didin let out a scream of joy and the game had just turned a new chapter. BC Kiev responded with a Jovo Stanojevic hoop underneath to lead 51 to 49. However Frankfurt didnt wait long and finally took their first lead of the game 52-51 after a successful Titus Ivory three pointer.

It seemed like the game had turned in favour of Frankfurt, but instead BC Kiev stayed calm and rebounded showing no remorse going on a 10-0 run and deciding the game with their hot outside shooting. Artur Drozdov hit twice and Manuchar Markoishvili (195-G-86) once as BC Kiev led 61 to 52. BC Kiev made tough shots. 'They stepped it up and showed that they are a very good team down the stretch', said Ilian Evtimov. 'Our defense was key in this phase that helped us secure the win', commented American Alex Scales. Ilian Evtimov and Pascal Roller missed two key shots during the BC Kiev run, which could of kept Frankfurt closer. Those three three pointers just killed us, reflected Derrick Allen. One cant criticise the Frankfurt defense, which was doing a good job, but BC Kiev really made difficult shots. At this point, it seemed like Frankfurt had little energy for a third big comeback American Alex Scales scored on a fast break finishing with a dunk as Kiev led 63 to 54. In the end, Frankfurt lost 66 to 58, but showed again that they can limit good teams to under 70 points. 'We played an overall good game on defense. They didnt get many open looks', expressed Derrick Allen.

BC Kiev was led by Manuchar Markoishvili with 17 points. Kenan Bajramovic chipped in with 13 points and five rebounds. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were led by Pascal Roller with 12 points. 'This was my first game against Pascal Roller. I have seen him play before. He is a quick good point guard. My two quick fouls at the start took away my aggressiveness, but you always have to be aware what he is doing', commented James Penn.

This was a tough loss for The Deutsche Bank Skyliners and now they face a must win against BC Kalev at home next week. Frankfurt shot very weak ending the game with only 22,7% from three point land and 38% from two point land. Kiev showed their three pointing strength at the end hitting the shots they needed to and finishing with 45% from three point land. Frankfurt won the rebounding battle 41 to 34 and are slowly showing durability under the boards. 'We did a good job under the basket. They had some big guys and it wasnt always easy. We did let up some offensive rebounds that hurt', explained Derrick Allen. Titus Ivory and Sasa Obradovic left the court in 2006 as BBL champs with Cologne, but in the Euro challenge in Frankfurt their was only one winner with the BC Kiev coach. 'He is a good coach. He was a point guard as player and point guards often make very good coaches, because they understand the game very well. He is an intense guy and makes the team better', stressed Titus Ivory. Possibly Titus Ivory and his teammates can seek revenge in Kiev, but for now the team has to concentrate on the BBL schedule as The EWE Baskets visit the Ballsporthalle on Saturday December 13th at 18:30.

This weekend in FEB action, Rotterdam Challengers continue on a roll, not allowing Eiffel Towers to steal its thunder, winning their fourth in a row. In other action this weekend, Matrixx Magixx moves into second place in the FEB standings with a home win over Aris Friesland, ZZ Leiden and West-Brabant Giants prevail in blowout wins, ZZ Hanzevast Capitals at home, and West-Brabant Giants over BlueStream Seals. In the ZBC-hal on Sunday night, Landstede Basketball wins an overtime thriller over Upstairs Weert.