Eurobasket Daily News Report:

EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 5/31/2008

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Men News

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ALGERIA

Algeria could not tame Italy at the Torneo Bandiera Blu -by Eurobasket News
Algeria - Italy 65:93

Algeria continued their European tour as they took on Italy in the Torneo Bandiera Blu opener in Roseto. Italian team was presented by the closest reserves but they managed to challenge Algeria and finalize a confident victory. The hosts enjoyed energetic start of the game as they surged ahead. Italy outscored their opponents 24:18 in the starting quarter. The African outfit stayed close in the second period and trailed by just 4 points at halftime. However the Adzurri stepped on the gas in the third stanza. They limited Algeria to 11 points and stretched the advantage to 16 points. Algeria looked stunned and never recovered in the fourth term. Daniele Cinciarini (194-G-83, agency: Interperformances) led the charge with 17 points for Italy. Bruno Cerella (194-F-86) scored 13 points, while Luigi Datome (202-G/F-87) had 10 for the winners. Djillali Canon (190-F-78) answered with 15 points for Algeria. Saidi provided 14 points, while Mustapha Adrar (203-C-82) knocked down 12 points in defeat. Italy sank impressive 52% from the field, while limiting Algeria to 38% accuracy. The visitors outrebounded Italy 42:38 but dished out only 10 assists down the stretch. Italy will face Croatia in the second round of action. Algeria will be opposed by Iran.

Algeria: Djillali Canon 15, Saidi 14, Mustapha Adrar 12
Italy: Daniele Cinciarini 17, Bruno Cerella 13, Luigi Datome 10

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ARGENTINA

Changes for next season -by Facundo Iatzky
The teams of LigaA decided some changes in the rosters of 2008/2009 season. The teams will be able to sign a maxim of 5 domestic players(older than 20), 2 foreigner players, and one U-23 player. The 9th player will can be either a foreigner or a domestic player. The rest of the roster can be completed with young players(younger than 20). Since the 2009/2010 season the U23 place will be deleted.
On the other hand, the clubs decided Penarol(defending champion), Libertad(LigaA champion) and Regatas corrientes(Ligasudamericana champion) will play the next Liga De las Americas, and Asociacion Quimsa will play the Liga Sudamericana.

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AUSTRIA

Palmer to Gmunden! -by Stefan Heinrich
Gmunden presented the first new player for the 2008/09 season in Elijah Palmer (201-F-81, agency: Court Side, college: Duquesne). Palmer is supposed to replace Kevin Johnson and give the team of Bob Gonnen more Inside presence, especially on the offensive end. Palmer played this season for the rival of the Gmunden Swans, WBC Wels and he will go in his thrid season in the Austrian league after starting his European career with the Traiskirchen Lions. His season Palmer played 39 games for Wels and he had 12.8ppg, 6.9rpg and 1.5apg, but he played a very good Quarterfinal series against his new team of Gmunden where he averaged 17.5ppg, 9.0rpg, 1.8apg, 1.0bpg with an Efficiency of 20.8.

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BELARUS

Mescheriakov celebrates in Ukraine -by Eurobasket News
Yegor Mescheriakov (205-F-76, agency: Octagon, college: George Washington) won the trophy with his Azovmash against Kyiv in Ukraine. The latter left Azovmash Mariupol no chances in game 1 of the Finals as Kyiv defeated the defending champions 91:72 to take a 1:0 series lead. Kyiv controlled the flow of the game in the second, extending their advantage to 14 points at the half. Pooh Jeter had a game-high 28 points, while Artur Drozdov added 26 and 7 rebounds in the win. Yegor Mescheriakov was the second in the scoring list providing 16 points.
Azovmash Mariupol defeated BC Kyiv 76:81 in Game 2 of the Superleague Finals, in spite of a fantastic 4th quarter surge by the home side. Kyiv managed to get back in the game early in the 3rd frame, trailing after the first half but an 11:1 response cooled them down and the margin grew to 21 at the start of the last quarter. Yegor Mescheriakov ended up with 14 points for the guests.
In Game 3 Robert Jr. Archibald top-scored for his team with 19 points as Azovmash grabbed 67:65 win. Azovmash had 10 points advantage at halftime and led by as many as 13 points two minutes into the third quarter. The player from Belarus finished the game with 12 points.
BC Azovmash Mariupol became the 2007/2008 Ukrainian Superleague Champions, having defeated BC Kyiv 84:79 in Game 4 of the best-of-five series. Yegor Mescheriakov nailed 11 points in a win to celebrate with his team.

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BELGIUM

Charleroi makes 2-0 in the Finals -by Eurobasket News
Spirou Basket Charleroi -Basket Bree 88:70 (22-18,27-24,20-15,19-13)

Spirou Basket Charleroi overcame Basket Bree 88:70 in Game 2 to take 2-0 lead in the Finals. The best-of-five series might not go for longer as the winners look too good for the opponent. The victories in all the quarters made the game easier for the hosts that used a 14-3 run bridging the first and second periods to take a double-digit lead. Jonathan Tabu

(190-G-85) paced all the winners with 17 points. Jerry Johnson (183-G-82, agency: Hart Sports Mngm, college: Rider) and Matt Walsh (197-F/G-82, agency: Arik Krayn Services, college: Florida) followed him with 14 points apeice. Doron Perkins

(188-G-83, college: Santa Clara) top-scored for the guests with 21 points, while Fisher Dor 19.
Spirou Basket Charleroi grabbed a road win in the first game and desired to improve at home. They did their best taking the lead from the early beginning. Spirou Basket Charleroi opened the game with 22:18 in the opening quarter and even took a double-digit lead. It helped them to increase to 49:42 entering the third period. Basket Bree struggled hard but they could hardly follow the opponent in the second half. Another 20:15 from the hosts saw 12 points advantage as the game went to the end. With 19:13 in the last period Charleroi closed the game and is ready for another trip away from home.
Spirou will try to close out the series in Game 3 at Bree on Saturday.

Spirou Basket Charleroi:Jonathan Tabu

17, Jerry Johnson 14, Matt Walsh 14
Basket Bree:Doron Perkins

21, Fisher Dor 19

Oostende Transfer News -by Peter Buyse

Belgian Cup winner Telindus Oostende has reached an agreement with Serbian player Ivan Paunic (194-G-87).
Paunic is a shooting guard who played this past season for Vojvodina Srbija Gas Novi Sad in Serbia.
Played 25 games in the Adriatic league where he averaged 8.6ppg, 1.rpg and 1.8spg.
Panic was a member of the Serbian U18 team and the U20 team. Teams with which he won European Championships.

In 2007 he was also on the roster of the Serbian University team.

Bree's Don Beck Named Coach of the Year and D'Or Fischer Player of the Year! -by Eurobasket
After leading Basket Bree to a league best 27-9 record and guiding the team to the Belgium Championship Finals curently being played against Charleroi, Bree's Head Coach Don Beck has been named Coach of the Year in Belgium. In his first season with Bree, Don previously enjoyed excellent work in the German Bundesliga with both Trier and Oldenburg. The veteran play-caller quickly whipped his new Bree team into championship form in the 2007-2008 season. Coaching in Oldenburg last season, Beck worked with big man D'or Fischer

(211-C-81, college: W.Virginia) and brought him to Bree where Fischer was named Player of the Year in Belgium after leading the Ethias League in rebounding at 10.9rpg along with ranking out as the most efficient player in Belgium at index 24.1 Congratulations to Coach Don Beck and D'or Fischer

for an outstanding season.

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CANADA

Canada to host international exhibition series this summer -by Simon Yau

TORONTO - It has been a long time in coming, but fans in Canada will get a chance this summer to see the Senior Men's National Team in action.

For the first time since 2002, Team Canada will play games on home soil. The occasion is the 2008 Jack Donohue International Classic (JDIC), in which the Canadians will face the national teams of Lebanon and New Zealand. The games will be played from June 30-July 5 at McMaster University in Hamilton and Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto.

'We are pleased to bring the excitement of international basketball to Hamilton and Toronto,' stated Wayne Parrish, Executive Director and CEO for Canada Basketball. 'Both cities have strong roots in basketball and will serve as great hosts for our team as we begin our quest to qualify for the Olympics.'

All three teams in the JDIC exhibition series will be competing in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens from July 14-20, along with the squads from nine other countries. The top three teams will advance to the Olympic Summer Games in Beijing in August.

'I am very excited to be preparing for the Olympics right here at home,' said Leo Rautins , Head Coach of the Senior Men's National Team. 'We have a great group of guys coming back this year, and look forward to continuing to build on the successes from last summer.'

Team Canada will tip off the 2008 JDIC with two games at McMaster University on June 30 vs. Lebanon and July 1 vs. New Zealand. Lebanon will play New Zealand at McMaster on July 2.

The Canadians will round out the exhibition series on July 4 vs. New Zealand and July 5 vs. Lebanon at Ricoh Coliseum, formerly the CNE Coliseum, in Toronto. The two games mark the first-ever basketball events to be played at the historic venue since it opened in 1921. Ricoh serves as the home of the Toronto Marlies, the American Hockey League farm team of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

'We are thrilled to be hosting this event at the historic Ricoh Coliseum,' said Bob Hunter, Executive Vice-President, Venues & Entertainment at MLSE. 'This is the first-ever basketball event we have held at the venue, so to see its versatility is exciting. Further, working alongside Canada Basketball, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is committed to developing basketball in the country and is proud to be supporting Team Canada on their quest to qualify for the Olympics.'

The Senior Men's Team is holding an open tryout in Toronto on May 27. Training camp begins on June 20, also in Toronto.

Tickets to the event are currently on sale. For more information, visit: www.basketball.ca

Canada to face Dream Team in Summer exhibition match -by Simon Yau
TORONTO - Canada Basketball and USA Basketball will face each other in an exhibition game as part of the 2008 State Farm USA Basketball Challenge on July 25, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nev.

'It's a great challenge any time you get to play against the Dream Team,' said Leo Rautins , Head Coach of Team Canada. 'All the players and myself are appreciative of the opportunity and look forward to it. Hopefully, we'll be playing the game in preparation for the Beijing Olympics.'

While the USA, featuring superstars Kobe Bryant (198-G-78), LeBron James (203-F-84), Chris Bosh (211-F-84, college: Georgia Tech) and friends, has already secured its spot in the Olympics, Canada is one of a dozen teams vying for the final three spots at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens July 14-20. The Olympic Games will be held in Beijing in August.

Canada's Senior Men's National Team, nicknamed the 'Road Warriors,' will kick off its summer tour with the Jack Donohue International Classic at McMaster University in Hamilton on June 30 (7 p.m. EST) vs. Lebanon and July 1 (4 p.m. EST) vs. New Zealand. Team Canada will then head to Toronto's Ricoh Coliseum for matchups on July 4 (7 p.m. EST) vs. New Zealand and July 5 (7 p.m. EST) vs. Lebanon. Afterward, Canada's men's team will travel to Germany for two more exhibition games before competing in Greece. The game against USA Basketball at the Thomas & Mack Center marks the finale of Team Canada's exhibition schedule for summer 2008.

Conversely, 'the 2008 State Farm USA Basketball Challenge is the launch of the USA Senior National Team's 2008 tour,' stated Jerry Colangelo, USA Senior National Team Managing Director. 'This will be the only domestic game played by the USA team in 2008 and promises to once again offer basketball fans a rare chance to see many of the best players in the world compete together and represent the United States.'

Mason finishes with Nova Ves truthfully -by Eurobasket News
Jordan Mason (189-G-80, agency: Pro Agents-Basketball Careers) and his Nova Ves could not advance to the Finals in Slovak Republic as in the fifth game of the semifinal Inter took their spot. Inter jumped to an early lead as they played aggressively and easily passed through Nova Ves defense. The hosts knocked down 32 points in the opening stanza and built a 15-point lead. The gap just kept on growing with Nova Ves struggling to slow down the home team. Inter stretched the gap to 19 points late in the second period. Nova Ves capped the half with several accurate attempts to trail by 16 at halftime. The game however was far from being over. Nova Ves threw all they had in the third period tallying a massive 26:8 run. The visitors denied the deficit and tied the score at 71. Inter regained the lead but were up by just 8 points heading into the fourth term. The encounter turned into a dogged fight in the fourth quarter but Inter survived due to solid performance from Daniel Novak and Dusan Pandula. They finished with 25 and 23 points respectively to pace Inter to the victory. Miroslav Futo poured in 18 points for the winners. Jordan Mason answered with 25 points for Nova Ves. Marcel Madaj had 23 points in defeat. Inter will tip off the title series against Pezinok on Saturday away from home.
Before that Nova Ves survived the fourth game at home. Nova Ves entered the game trailing 1-2 and with their backs against the wall. But Inter Bratislava failed to complete the task away from home. Nova Ves marked their dominance right from the start and pretty easily cleared off to a 27:19 distance at the end of the first stanza. Inter could not match the hosts tempo and trailed by as many as 19 points at halftime. However the Bratislava outcome never said die and tried hard to spark the intrigue in the second half. They outgunned the home team 27:16 in the third quarter to head into the final term down by 10 points. But the visitors quickly ran out of steam and Nova Ves finalized the victory in the dying minutes. Viliam Ridzon knocked down 20 points and grabbed 13 boards for the winners. Igor Pesta scored 14 points, while Jordan Mason had 13 for Nova Ves. Martin Micka answered with 20 points for Inter. Dusan Pandula secured 14 points and 8 boards in defeat. The hosts dominated the boards outrebounding Inter 42:32. Nova Ves converted 54% from the field, while Inter sank 40% of field goals.

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CHINA

China Defeats Conference USA 92-88 -by Arthur Volbert

China defeated the Conference USA team 92-88 in the second game of their three-game series. No box score is yet available.

I am accurately calling the visitors Conference USA rather than Memphis since this is what the team wears on its uniforms. This is not the Memphis Team that took Kansas to overtime. The three stars of that team -- Derrick Rose, Chris Douglas-Roberts and Joey Dorsey -- are gone. They have been replaced by some good but not NBA-caliber players from other teams in Conference USA -- though Conference USA could aptly be called 'Memphis and the Eleven Dwarfs.'

After falling behind 25-15 in the first quarter China rallied. It narrowed the gap to 45-38 at halftime and 64-60 after three quarters. It outscored Conference USA 32-24 in the fourth quarter. Wang Shipeng (197-F/G-83) was China's high scorer with 17 points, adding 6 rebounds. Young power forward Li Xiaoxu scored 13 points. Veterans Li Nan and Du Feng each scored 12 points while Liu Wei added 10. Zhang Kai had another good game with 9 points and 7 rebounds in 18 minutes. Chen Jianghua impressed, knifing through the Conference USA defense for 4 athletic layups.

Yao Ming, Yi Jianlian, Wang Zhizhi and Sun Yue did not play.

Box Score:
http://cba.sports.sina.com.cn/look_scores.php?m_id=2055

China----- 15 23 22 32 92
Conf USA 25 20 19 24 88

Ding Jinhui 9min+1p+2r, Liu Xiaoyu 6min+2p+1r+1a, Wang Shipeng 29min+17p+6r+1a, Zhu Fangyu 19min+3p(0-5)+4r+4a, Li Xiaoxu 22min+13p+1r, Chen Jianghua 14min+8p(4-4)+1r+2a, Wang Lei 9min+5p+1r, Zhang Kai 18min+9p+7r, Liu Wei 22min+10p+2r+3a+3s, Li Nan 24min+12p+3r+1a, Du Feng 27min+12p+1r+1a

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FRANCE

Market news -by Maxime Weber
Germain Castano signs for one year with St Quentin as Head Coach for the next season. He left Besancon after 2 seasons in november 2007.
Antoine Rigaudeau resigns of his position (Sports director) with Paris-Levallois after a very bad season. The information isn't official yet but Paris-Levallois should play in ProB next season after the decision of the administrative tribunal.
Austin Nichols (198-F-82, agency: ACMT, college: Humboldt St.) signs a two years contract with Hyeres Toulon after a great 2007/2008 season (16ppg)
Stephane Risacher (203-F-72) signs a two years contract with Chalon sur Saone.

The EuroExposure in Columbus -by Maxime Weber

As the season has ended for all but the last in course for the playoffs, many teams have accelerated their recruiting activity.
We have learned that several ProA and ProB teams are making plans to attend the EuroExposure camp in Columbus, Ohio June 20-22. This camp has become a top recruiting camp for French and European teams in the last several years. Last year, some prestigious players took part to the camp like Jamie Arnold, Brian Greene, Dewarick Spencer, Marc Salyers or Jimmal Ball before starting a great career. For the first time ever, Eurobasket will scout this camp and provide readers updates and recruiting news from the camp.

For any information about the camp, contact the organisation trought this address euroexposure@yahoo.com

ProB: Bourg is the 4th semi-finalist -by Chris Spiesser
Bourg defeated Nantes 72-70 on Wednesday evening. The bressans clinched the semis in the final minutes as they ended the game on a 8-0. The best figures go to Kareem Reid (14pts, 4rbs, 3stl, 11ass), Boakai Lalugba (17pts 8/11, 3rbs) and Brian Heinle (18pts, 7rbs). In Nantes, Boissie and Freeman tried their best by combining 37 ranking points but no other player totalized an evaluation above 8pts. The westerners also suffered from their 20 turnovers and a short hand at the FT line (9/21!!). The first games of the ProB semis will be held this week-end featuring: St-Etienne-Besacon and Bourg-Poitiers.

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FYR MACEDONIA

Feni Industri takes charge -by Todor Chalovski
Feni Industri beat Strumica 2005 89:80 to take a 3:1 lead in the 'best of seven' final series. This brings the Kavadarci based side within one game from winning their first ever championship title.
Home team took the charge early on, but captain Bogoev and Latovic brought Strumica 2005 back in the game. The two sides were even until the third quarter, when Gocevski took advantage of the great play from his guards. He was followed by Samardziev and Prekovic, who had a great shooting display, making the Feni Industri lead in double figures.

Home team kept this advantage until the end, bringing the game to a close with a 89:80 final victory.
Macedonian NT centar Zlatko Gocevski, who was last year's MVP of the finals playing for Strumica 2005, scored 24 points against his former club.

The next game will be played in Strumica on saturday.

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GERMANY

Market News -by Moritz Korff

Jusuf El Domiaty (189-G-90) and Philip Noch (200-G/F-89) have signed contract-extensions with the Braunschweig-basketball program, which includes 1. Bundesliga-side New Yorker Phantoms, the Spot Up Medien Baskets (2. Bundesliga Pro B) and SG Braunschweig (NBBL). Both players have not suited up for the BBL-team yet, but are expected to do in the future. El Domiaty, a member of the German U18-NT, averaged 3.9 points for the Spot Up Medien Baskets during 2007-08 and was a key-player on the roster of the NBBL-squad (15.5ppg). Noch was selected for the German U20 just recently. He saw action in 14 encounters of the 2. Bundesliga Pro B in this past season and tallied 3.4 points a game. In NBBL-play he appeared 5 times and contributed 8.8 points per contest.

The Wolfenbuettel Dukes (2. Bundesliga Pro B) announced lately, that Tobias Grauel (195-F-86, agency: Heinrich Sports) will stay another season with the team. The 21-year-old Wing scored 7.4 points on average during his first year as a Duke. Additionally he helped the farm team SG Wolfenbuettel (Regionalliga North) in 13 matches and averaged 11.2 points a game.

Horst Schmitz has set an ending to his cooperation with the BIS Baskets Speyer. The 44-year-old former German international took over the coaching job during the 2007-2008 campaign and helped Speyer to stay in the league in its first season after moving up.

The next season in the 2. Bundesliga Pro B is not going to not see Dimplex Falke Nuernberg battle for points. The team, that finshed 07-08 in last place in the Pro A and therefore had to face relegation, will go to the start under the name Franken Hexer, which is most known as fine program to produce talents in the city of Nuernberg, but has not been involved in Bundesliga-action yet. Alex Krueger, who coached the club's NBBL-team and also is responsible for the German U16 National Team, will stand at the helm of the 'Sorcerers'.

According to the local newspaper 'Norddeutsche Rundschau' the MTV Itzehoe Eagles (Regionalliga North) have agreed to terms with five players from last season's roster regarding the 2008-2009 campaign. Reportedly coach Paul Larysz will keep Martin Duggen (185-G-81), Kester Mayr (187-G-83), Robert Daugs (194-F-83), Tino Rohde (202-F/C-81) and Ole Alsen (204-C-88).

Kyle Bailey returns to Goettingen -by Moritz Korff
BG 74 Goettingen (1. Bundesliga) has inked Kyle Bailey

(188-G-82, college: Santa Clara) for the 2008-2009 season. The 26-year-old Guard joins back the Violets' roster after one year with ratiopharm Ulm, where he averaged 12.6 points, 3.4 assists and 3 rebounds per game. Bailey was a key player when Goettingen won the championship in the 2. Bundesliga North in 2006-2007 and received Eurobasket.com All-2. Bundesliga North Player of the Year-honors.

Giessen adds Jannik Freese to the roster -by Manuel Schust
Giessen 46ers announced today the signing of young german Jannik Freese (208-F/C-86). The 21-year old A2 national player joins Giessen for the next 2 years and will also play for ProA farm team Lich.

Freese spent the last 3 years with Braunschweig, playing mainly for Spot Up Medien Baskets Braunschweig in ProB.
He finished last season producing 11.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, shooting 49% from the floor.

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HOLLAND

Chaz McCrommon, new signing of Hanzevast Capitals -by Fred Roggen

The first important signing of the Capitals for the next season was announced yesterday. The governing-board of Hanzevast Capitals announced the signing of guard-forward Chaz McCrommon (197-F/G-82, agency: Court Side, college: Robert Morris).

Chaz McCrommon is not unknown in the Netherlands, because he played in the past for Den Helder and later for Upstairs Weert.
The guard-forward ended up the previous season for Chalons-en-Champagne in the French ProB. He averaged 17.1 points and 5.5 rebounds a game.

Durelle Brown to West Brabant Giants -by Fred Roggen
West-Brabant Giants has contracted power-forward Durelle Brown (202-F-79, agency: Interperformances, college: Manhattan). The American ended up this season for Argentinian Benn Hurr Rafaelawhere he averaged 18 points and 5 rebounds per game.
Coach Erik Braal knows the 2.02 meters long Brown from his period in Rotterdam for which Brown played in the season 2004-2005.
Coach Erik Braal is extremely glad with the arrival of Brown. He is smart, knows what's necessary to win and a real team player and for this reason very interesting for us.

Amsterdam revenges. Get ready for the decisive game! -by Eurobasket News
EiffelTowers Den Bosch-MyGuide Amsterdam 72:82

EiffelTowers Den Bosch could not celebrate at home the total Play-off win as Amsterdam clinched 72:82 road win. The latter tied the series at 3-3 and will have home advantage in the decisive game. Game 7 is scheduled for Saturday in the capital of Holland to find out who the title should belong to. Gipson Sergerio led the winners with 26 points. Tamien Trent

(183-G-82, agency: Strategic Sports, college: Fairleigh Dickinson) nailed 15, Jeron Roberts

(194-G/F-76, agency: Gross Zeev ISA, college: Wyoming) scored 14 and Avis Wyatt

(211-F/C-84, agency: Elfus-Siegel Management (ESM), college: Virginia St.) had 12 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Kees Akerboom top-scored for the hosts with 18 points.

The series is still on and this is one of the best Final series even in Holland. Den Bosch seemed in control while leading 28:16 after one quarter yesterday. It was an easy start for the hosts that dominated the court. Amsterdam needed the second quarter to turn things around quickly. The winner of the regular season produced 23:14 for 42:39 at the halftime.
MyGuide Amsterdam found a key to solve the game in the second half winning the third period 22:13. The guests looked better in every aspect of the game and led by Gipson Sergerio stayed in front. With 21:17 in the last period MyGuide Amsterdam won Game 6 and sent the series to their home arena.

EiffelTowers: Kees Akerboom 18 points, Darrell Tucker

(206-F-80, agency: Hart Sports Mngm, college: USF) 14, Dean Oliver

(180-G-78, college: Iowa) 10, Travis Young

(184-G-79, agency: Interperformances, college: Marshall) 10
MyGuide Amsterdam: Gipson Sergerio 26 points, Tamien Trent

15, Jeron Roberts

14 Avis Wyatt

12 pionts, 11 rebounds and 5 assists

Sharone Wright new assistant-coach of EiffeL Towers -by Fred Roggen
Such as it was expected is Sharone Wright (211-C-73, college: Clemson) appointed as an assistant-coach of Randy Wiel by Eiffel Towers Den Bosch.
Wright have signed a contract in Den Bosch for four years. Besides his work at the first team, Wright become responsibly for the U-18 team.
The ex-NBA-player came previous season for the first time to Eiffel Towers and became with the Eiffel Towers Dutch Champion as player.
Last winter the center returned in Den Bosch as a player but that was not a success. Eiffel Towers give him now the change to start with a coachcareer.

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IBL

IBL - USBA camp -by Carl Berman
The IBL in conjunction with the United States Basketball Academy in Blue River, OR is conducting an exposure camp May 27th-29th. Over 100 top players are participating, including over 60 IBL stars. They will be playing before representatives from Chinese, Japanese, South Korean, South American and European leagues and teams as well as a number of agents. Players scheduled to participate include former NBA player God Shammgod (6'1''-G-76, agency: Passing Lane, college: Providence) (6'1''-G-76, agency: Passing Lane, college: Providence), D-League players, Brad Stricker (6'11''-C/F-77, college: Georgia St.) and Kris Clack (6'5''-G-77, college: Texas) as well as IBL stars, Terry Horton (6'3''-F-81, agency: ProSportsCareers, college: Alabama A&M), Shane Thorson (6'6''-F-83), Tyler Amaya (6'6''-F-82, agency: R.H.Consultancy, college: W.Washington), Larry Smith (6'4''-G/F-83, college: East Central), Paul Hafford (6'4''-G-84, college: Portland St.) and Dean Browne (6'9''-C-80, college: Nevada). Eurobasket will write an article on who we consider to be the top 12 players at the camp.

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ISRAEL

After 14 seasons of Maccabi Tel Aviv dominance, Israeli basketball has a new champion -by Eurobasket
Malik Dixon's (187-G-75, college: UALR) basket with 2.3 seconds to play in the Final Four title game on Thursday night gave Hapoel Holon a 73-72 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv at the Nokia Arena.
Maccabi had claimed the last 14 Israeli championships and 37 of the last 38 titles entering into Thursday's game, but Holon, which finished the regular season in first position, believed all along it could get the better of Tel Aviv and edged the reigning champion in a gripping final.
P.J. Tucker (196-F-85, agency: CAA Sports, college: Texas), the BSL's MVP, led Holon with 18 points, with Dixon adding 10 points.
Terence Morris (206-F-79, college: Maryland) scored 20 points for Maccabi, which finishes the season empty handed.
Both teams were firing on all cylinders right from the start and it was clear that the capacity crowd at the Nokia Arena was in for an enthralling encounter.
A Yotam Halperin (196-G-84, agency: Arik Krayn Services) triple after two minutes gave Tel Aviv a 10-5 lead and Omri Casspi's (204-F/G-88, agency: Interperformances) lay-up soon after extended the margin to six points (14-8), Maccabi's biggest of the first 20 minutes.
It would, however, not be long before Holon was back on level terms once more, with Maccabi paying the price for failing to stop Hapoel's offensive rebounding.
A Derrick Sharp (183-G-71, college: S.Florida) triple to end the first quarter made sure the score was tied at the start of the second period (23-23) and a Morris dunk soon after regained the lead for Sherf's men (27-25).
The lead would go on to change hands numerous times in the final three minutes of the first half, with each side edging in front by the smallest of margins each time, and two Alex Garcia (191-G-80, agency: Interperformances) free throws gave Tel Aviv a 38-37 advantage at the break.
Maccabi looked sharper during the early stages of the second half and Halperin's three extended the gap to 46-41.
Another Halperin basket midway through the quarter gave Tel Aviv its first significant margin of the night (50-43), but Holon was far from done and Dixon's crazy triple with just over a minute to play in the period brought the side back within four points (53-49).
Avishay Gordon's (192-G-77, agency: Arik Krayn Services) basket from beyond the arc at the beginning of the final period brought Hapoel to within one possession (58-55), but David Bluthenthal (201-F-80, college: USC) immediately hit a three for Maccabi, regaining its cushion.
Tel Aviv was starting to look like the likelier winner as time wound down, but Hapoel never gave up and Chester Simmons' (198-G-82, college: Washington) lay-up at the end of a Holon fast-break edged the regular season leader ever closer (65-61) and two Tucker free throws with two-and-a-half minutes to play tied the score at 67-67.
Maccabi was in complete disarray and with one-and-a-half minutes remaining, Holon retook the lead. Dixon's three point play gave Hapoel a 70-67 advantage, but the American guard would hand Maccabi a lifeline seconds later when he turned over the ball, allowing Bluthenthal to tie the score from the free-throw line (70-70).
Tucker scored just one of two from the line with 22 seconds to play and Nikola Vujcic (211-C-78, agency: Interperformances) put Maccabi back ahead with 6.5 seconds to play. Maccabi's reign would, however, end in the subsequent seconds as Dixon floated to the winning basket to clinch the championship.
Courtesy of Jerusalem Post

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ITALY

Martin joins Orlandina -by Gianni Pascucci
Pierrel Orlandina Capo d'Orlando announced the agreement with CAN-ITA player Philip Martin (202-F-80, college: Hawaii), last at Novara, Lega 2. Martin is a very good inside player, and his versatility and hustling allows him to play in all the frontcourt positions. He is a very confident player and this contract is an occasion to test his skills for the first time at top European level.

Venezia wins Game 1 -by Gianni Pascucci
Umana Reyer Venezia routed Prefabbricati Pugliesi Brindisi 74-53 in Game 1 of the Serie B1 Finals yesterday night. Alberto Causin (198-G/F-76, agency: Interperformances) led the way in Venezia with 16 points and 5 rebounds, Rodolfo Rombaldoni (190-G-77, agency: Players Group) added 14 pts, 3 rebs and 5 assits, Manuel Carrizo (198-G/F-80, agency: Players Group) 12 pts and 3 rebs. The best in Brindisi was Alejandro Muro (190-G-74, agency: Players Group), who scored 18 points and dished 4 assists. In the other playoff Game 1, Intertransport Treviglio beat Banca Nuova Trapani 83-69 led by Francesco Gori (195-G-77), who scored 22 points. Thanks to this win by 21 points, Venezia can be also beaten in Brindisi, but if they will keep the difference less than 21 points, it will mean Lega 2. Treviglio, instead, has an harder job, it is probable that a 14 points advantage won' t be enough in Trapani...

Italy defeats Algeria -by Gianni Pascucci
Team Italy prevailed over Algeria 93-65 in Day 1 of the interational tournment 'Bandiera Blu' at Roseto. The Azzurri stayed ahead in the score all the time, even if coach Recalcati would have liked a more intense start. One time more, Daniele Cinciarini (194-G-83, agency: Interperformances) showed his good form, leading the way with 19 points, and Bruno Cerella (194-F-86) added 13 pts. The Algerian players showed their quickness and athletic skills, but when Italy pressed on the throttle, the difference between the two teams became unmistakable. Swingman Djillali Canon (190-F-78) was the best performer with 15 points. In the other game of the 'bandiera Blu' tournment, Iran upset Croatia 76-66. Tonight, Italy will meet Croatia and Iran will play Algeria.

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LIBERIA

Kabba Sheiku remains alive for the Gold -by Eurobasket News
Sheiku Kabba (188-G-79, college: Providence) remains alive for the Gold with his Amsterdam in Holland. EiffelTowers Den Bosch could not celebrate at home the total Play-off win as Amsterdam clinched 72:82 road win. The latter tied the series at 3-3 and will have home advantage in the decisive game. Game 7 is scheduled for Saturday in the capital of Holland to find out who the title should belong to. Gipson Sergerio led the winners with 26 points. Tamien Trent nailed 15, Jeron Roberts scored 14 and Avis Wyatt had 12 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Kees Akerboom top-scored for the hosts with 18 points.
The series is still on and this is one of the best Final series even in Holland. Den Bosch seemed in control while leading 28:16 after one quarter yesterday. It was an easy start for the hosts that dominated the court. Amsterdam needed the second quarter to turn things around quickly. The winner of the regular season produced 23:14 for 42:39 at the halftime.
MyGuide Amsterdam found a key to solve the game in the second half winning the third period 22:13. The guests looked better in every aspect of the game and led by Gipson Sergerio stayed in front. With 21:17 in the last period MyGuide Amsterdam won Game 6 and sent the series to their home arena.
In Game 5 Sheiku Kabba scored 3 points for his team showing 100% from the arc as Eiffel won 79:77. With Eiffel down 63:60 at the end of regulation, Eiffel's 'Mr. Clutch' Travis Young made three free throws to help send the game into overtime, and then in the last seconds at 77-77 Young made the game winning basket, helping Eiffel win the first road game of the series for both teams. Dean Oliver led Eiffel with 15 pts. with Young adding 13. While MyGuide shot a sizzling 78.4% FG, however, the three-point line and free throw line was ice cold for them, with MyGuid shooting a series-worst 3 for 32 from the three-point line, and only 10 of 24 from the free throw line!

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LIBYA

Defending champions Al Nasser lead in the league -by Eurobasket
When it comes to Basketball in Libya, the league championship, made up of 12 teams is proving very evenly balanced with defending champions Al-Nasser leading the way with 15 points from eight matches. But it looks as if they would be hard-pressed to repeat last season's feat.
Al-Nasser's points' tally is one ahead of four other teams, currently sharing the runner up spot and quite capable of keeping their challenge to the very end. They are, Alshabab, Al-Ittihad, and the two Al-Ahli clubs of Tripoli and Benghazi.
Al-Morog are two points adrift on 12, while Al Madina in seventh place, who had a point deducted come next with 11 points, sharing the total with two other teams, Al-Hilal and Al-Jazeera.
Bringing up the rear are Al-Yarmouk with 10, Al Tahade with nine and Al-Wahda with eight points. Al Wahda is also the only ones yet to enjoy the satisfaction of a victory.
The highest scoring matches so far involved Al-Ittihad, first when they defeated Al-Wahda 110-70 and then Al-Tahade 106-43. Al-Ahli of Tripoli were the only other team to attain a century of points in a league match so far when they beat Al Tahade 104- 43.
However, overall the level of the game in the championship is quit high with most games finishing in high-scoring results, with one or both teams breaking the 70-points barrier, which is quite encouraging as it shows that almost all participating teams have very accurate basketballers.
It is worth noting that the 46 matches played so far, produced the amount of 6311 points, that is an average of 131.5 points for every match. This is quite high and should make for quite attractive matches.
Courtesy of Tripoli Post

Standings

D1 Standings

1. Ittihad	14-3
2. Shabab	14-3
3. Ahli	14-3
4. Nasr	13-4
5. Alibenghazi	11-6
6. Madina	9-8
7. Hilal	7-10
8. Jazeera	7-10
9. Morog	6-11
10. Yarmook	4-13
11. Tahaddi	3-14
12. Wahda	0-17

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LITHUANIA

Praskevicius will stay in Siauliai -by Simas Baranauskas
LKL bronze medal winners Siauliai extended the contract with Virginijus Praskevicius (206-C/F-74). The club was happy with Praskevicius' performance and he will stay in Siauliai for another year. After comming to the club last year the 34 year old player managed to become one of the most important players in the team and helped Siauliai to step on the podium. Virginijus Praskevicius averaged 12.6 points and 5 boards during the 21 minutes he spent on the court each game.

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MONTENEGRO

Vladimir Masulovic wants to terminate contract with Niksic -by Dragan Scepanovic
Ex Yugo and SCG cadet and junior member of NT Vladimir Masulovic (212-C-85) , who had a lot of problems with injuries during the last 2 mount , wants to terminate the contract with Basketball Club Niksic. Namely, the player is unsatisfied his playing minutes and he did not receive couple of last salaries which could be another reason for his move.DELFI SMG Agency announced that yesterday they start process in Basketball Federation of Montenegro for terminate contract with Basketball Club Niksic

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MOROCCO

Standings - Men

D1 Standings

1. IRT	16-2
2. MAS	13-5
3. RCA	13-5
4. ASS	12-6
5. WAC	12-6
6. FUS	7-11
7. KAC	7-11
8. CMC	5-13
9. TSC	4-14
10. MET	1-17

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NBA

Celtics will face Lakers in the Finals -by Eurobasket

Boston Celtics won Eastern Conference Championship in the conference final 6th game in Detroit defending Pistons 89-81.
It gave them a ticket to the finals, where they will face Los Angeles Lakers, which beat San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Final.
The Celtics were lead by Paul Pierce (6'7''-F-77, college: Kansas) (27 points), Ray Allen (6'6''-G-75, college: Connecticut) (17) and Kevin Garnett (6'10''-F-76) (16).
The Pistons were eliminated on their home court for the first time during a six-year run that included a trip to the conference finals each year and the 2004 title.
Boston entered the series without a road win in the postseason, then beat Detroit on its home court twice to win the grueling series.
After playing two Game 7s, the Celtics will get a needed break before hosting Kobe Bryant and the Lakers on Thursday night.
Chauncey Billups (6'3''-G-76, college: Colorado) scored a playoff-high 29 points and Richard Hamilton (6'7''-G-78, college: Connecticut) had 21, but the rest of their teammates had lackluster efforts, especially Rasheed Wallace (6'10''-F/C-75, college: N.Carolina).
Wallace scored just four points on 2-of-12 shooting and had three turnovers in what might've been his last game as a Piston and could've been Flip Saunders last as Detroit's coach.
After it was 58-all, Detroit closed the third quarter with a 10-2 run and took its first lead since midway through the opening quarter.
Just when it seemed the Pistons might be in control with a 70-60 lead early in the fourth, the Celtics scored nine points in less than 2 minutes and went on a 19-4 run that put them ahead 79-74.
Billups' three-point play pulled Detroit to 83-79 with 2:24 left, then the Pistons wasted a chance to get closer.
Tayshaun Prince (6'9''-F-80, college: Kentucky) grabbed a loose ball after a Boston miss and turned the ball over when James Posey (6'8''-G/F-77, agency: Priority Sports, college: Xavier) surprised him from behind and snatched it away.
Pierce made two free throws on the possession, putting the Celtics up by six with 1 1/2 minutes to go.
The Pistons failed on their 3-pointers down the stretch and couldn't take advantage of Garnett missing two free throws with 36 seconds left.

Kobe leads Lakers to the NBA Finals -by Eurobasket

LA Lakers - San Antonio 100:92

The Lakers celebrated the Western Conference championship before their adoring fans at Staples Center, but not too hard. They've got one more goal to reach before the real excitement begins. They reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 2004.

Kobe Bryant (6'6''-G-78) scored 17 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter, and the Lakers rallied from an early 17-point deficit to beat the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs 100-92 on Thursday night and win the conference finals in five games.

The Spurs faced an improbable task of edging the Lakers at the Staples Center where the hosts had an 8-0 postseason record heading into the game. The Spurs however opened the game bravely and ignited a 15:1 run to enjoy a 33:16 lead early in the second period. However the hosts went on an 11:2 run to cap the first half and trim the deficit to 6 points. The visitors remained ahead early in the third stanza before the Lakers tallied a 19:8 run and surged ahead 61:60. Kobe Bryant stepped up for the Lakers in the final frame. He dropped 17 points and held the Spurs at bay throughout the quarter. San Antonio were able to cut the deficit to 3 points but Kobe Bryant came up with back-to-back jumpers to retain an 89:82 lead for the home team. The Lakers never looked back again and secured the Western conference title. They get a week off before opening the NBA finals next Thursday night at Boston or Detroit. The Celtics lead the Eastern Conference finals 3-2 with Game 6 on Friday night in Detroit.
'I think it is a tremendous accomplishment,' Kobe Bryant said. 'I think the West is extremely tough. We're all extremely excited and proud about it. Now, it's time to go on and see if we can't finish it off.'
The Lakers are 12-3 in the playoffs, including 8-0 at Staples Center, where they haven't lost in two months. They have won 14 straight home games and 21 of their last 24 postseason games at home.

LA Lakers: Kobe Bryant 39, Lamar Odom (6'10''-F-79, college: Rhode Island) 13, Pau Gasol (7'0''-F/C-80) 12+19 boards

San Antonio: Tony Parker (6'0''-G-80) 23, Tim Duncan (6'10''-F-76, college: Wake Forest) 19+15 boards +10 assists

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NCAA2

Central Washington Adds PG -by Sanjey Noriega
ELLENSBURG -- (May 27) Chris Scott, a 5-foot-8 point guard from Las Vegas, Nev., has declared his intention to continue his college basketball career at Central Washington University starting in the 2008-09 season. Head coach Greg Sparling made the announcement on Tuesday.

Scott played the past two seasons at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, earning Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) West Region Most Valuable Player honors as a sophomore this past season. He led the NWAACC with 9.5 assists per game while also ranking among the league leaders in steals while playing for head coach (and former Wildcat guard) Marc Callero and the Clippers.

'Chris provides us with a true playmaker at the point guard position,' Sparling said. 'He is a winner and a quality student-athlete on and off the court. He has a very high basketball IQ and should thrive in our up-tempo system both offensively and defensively. He is also very good defensively at anticipating (the basketball).'

Prior to his career at South Puget Sound, Scott had a standout prep career at Bonanza High School in Las Vegas, where he earned first team all-division and second team all-conference honors. While playing for the Bengals, he was also nominated for McDonald's All-American honors and led the state of Nevada in assists.

Scott is the fourth student-athlete to declare their intentions to join the Wildcats this winter. Previous signees include forward Chris Sprinker (University Place/Tacoma CC) and guards Shane Miller (Moscow, Idaho/Treasure Valley CC) and Jon Clift (Spokane/CC of Spokane).

Central Washington turned in its best season in eight years this past winter. The Wildcats finished with a 21-7 overall record, including a 15-3 mark and second place finish in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. CWU also qualified for the NCAA Division II tournament for the second time in the past three seasons, earning the number four seed.

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OLYMPIC GAMES

Standings

Olympic Games Standings

Group A
1. Argenti.		0-0
2. Austral.		0-0
3. Iran		0-0
4. Lithuan.		0-0
5. Russia		0-0
Group B
1. Angola		0-0
2. China		0-0
3. Spain		0-0
4. USA		0-0

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PANAMA

Gary Forbes scores 30 and impresses many in NBA Camp -by Miguel Sanchiz

UMass' 2008 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year , Panama's Gary Forbes starred in his second game leading his White Team with a camp-best 30 points on Thursday. Forbes made 15-of-16 from the foul line and 7-of-16 from the floor in just 26 minutes. He continues to impress the scouts in attendance from every NBA team. He led his team in scoring in his first game with 17.

Here's what NBADraft.net said about Forbes:

If there was to be a player of the day award, then without a doubt it would have to be given to Gary Forbes (30pts, 15-16ft, 2stl). Even though his team lost, it was no fault of Forbes, who almost singlehandedly brought his team back from a large deficit. In the early going Forbes looked to set his teammates up, yet when he realized they weren't capitalizing, he took it upon himself to put points on the board.

He may have forced the issue too much at times, looking a bit selfish, but nobody can argue with his effectiveness and results. He scored in a variety of ways: hitting tough shots right out of the triple threat, showing his touch with soft floaters and even some athleticism by getting to the hoop and absorbing contact and still having enough body control to give the ball a chance to go in.

Although he was very impressive scoring, he may have been just as good on the defensive end, where he chased Richard Roby (3-9fg) off screens and forced him to put the ball on the floor and settle for difficult shots. He can get overaggressive and get cheap fouls sometimes as he does lack great lateral speed, but one has to respect the effort he put in on this end.

Here's what DraftExpress.com had to say about Forbes' performance:

For Team 2, the best player on the floor (and likely of the day) was clearly Gary Forbes, stringing together one of the best single-game performances (30 points, 7-16 FG, 15-16 FT, 26 minutes) we've seen in the last five years of the pre-draft camp. Forbes was incredibly aggressive putting the ball on the floor with either hand and making very strong moves to the basket, being very physical once there and in turn getting to the free throw line at will. His scoring instincts might be the best of any wing player at this camp, as he makes up for his lack of freakish athleticism with phenomenal footwork and body control, being able to quickly read and exploit angles, or move intelligently without the ball, in turn showing a very good basketball IQ that impressed many people here. Although his perimeter shot wasn't a huge part of his game once again, he knocked down one of his two attempts from NBA range, which leaves optimism in that regard. He's making a strong push for consideration in the early second round or possibly higher.

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PORTUGAL

Alberto Babo will not return to Porto -by Bruno Baltazar
The portuguese head coach Alberto Babo will not return to Porto next season .
After losing the game 7 of the portuguese league finals against Ovarense they will not renew contract with the head coach,team staff says thanks for all the work he did and for the love he have for Porto but after analizing many aspects such as the work he did ,the relation he has right now with team staff they decided not to renew with the sucessfull portuguese coach contract for at least another season.

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PUERTO RICO

Standings - BSN

BSN Standings

Super 6
1. Santurce	14
2. Carolina	13
3. Caguas	10
4. Arecibo	10
5. Guaynabo	10
6. Fajardo	6
Others
1. Bayamon	16-16
2. Humacao	16-16
3. Ponce	15-17
4. San German	15-17
5. Mayaguez	7-25
6. Guayama	6-26

Caguas tied in 3rd Place -by Luis Ramirez
The Caguas Criollos proved that the name of the game is defense as they kept the Santurce Crabbers to just 6 points in the 3rd quarter to win the game 76-67. Santurce had taken the 1st quarter 20-19. In the 2nd quarter it was still Santurce dominating the game as the half ended 38-34. But in the 2nd half the Criollos went on an offensive run of their own and applied a great defense on the Crabbers which kept them to just the 6 points in that quarter while they would go on to score 20 points in the quarter to take the lead in the game and thus earning a win against the crabbers. For Caguas Ricardo Melendez (180-G-83) had an excellent game as he went on to score 29 points followed by Peter John Ramos and Marlyn Bryant both with 12 points. Ramos also grabbed 18 rebounds in the game. For Santurce, Larry Ayuso (190-G-77, agency: Edge Sports, college: USC) scored 14 points followed by Michael Watson with 11 points. This win gives the Criollos a three way tie in 3rd place in this post season play, they are currently tied with Arecibo and Guaynabo, all hold a 10 point marker at this point.

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ROMANIA

CSU Asesoft Ploiesti becomes too close to triumph -by Eurobasket News

CSU Asesoft Ploiesti- U Mobitelco Cluj-Napoca 94-90

CSU Asesoft Ploiesti won Game 5 of Romanian Finals over U Mobitelco Cluj-Napoca. Last night the defending champions overcame the opponents 94:90 to take 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven final series. Trailing one point after the first half, CSU Asesoft Ploiesti produced 23:17 in the last period to seal a victory. Bojan Obradovic (206-F/C-77, agency: Beo Basket) was unstoppable for the winners nailing 36 points and collecting 8 rebounds. Levente Szijarto (192-G/F-83) netted 16, Rashard Griffith (212-C-74, agency: Edge Sports, college: Wisconsin) posted 12 and Adrian Blidaru (182-G-85) ended up with 8 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Zoran Krstanovic (205-C-82) shined for the guests with 22 points and 8 rebounds.
It was an offensive start from both teams and U Mobitelco Cluj-Napoca did not mind playing away from home as they went on a lead. The first quarter ended up with 23:27 for the guests that scored some important baskets in the end. Even though the hosts produced 28:25 in the second quarter, U Mobitelco Cluj-Napoca enjoyed a lead in the half time.
The guests overcame the home side 21:20 in the third period, but intrigue ramained in the court until the end of the game. The final push saw CSU Asesoft Ploiesti taking the lead as they won the last period 23:17. Bojan Obradovic led his team to 94:90 win and a huge step towards the crown of Romania.

Game 6 might be the last in the series if CSU Asesoft Ploiesti grabs a road win. Game 6 is scheduled for June 2 as U Mobitelco Cluj-Napoca invites to their place.

CSU Asesoft Ploiesti: Bojan Obradovic 36 points + 8 rebs, Levente Szijarto 16, Rashard Griffith 12, Adrian Blidaru 8 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists.
U Mobitelco Cluj-Napoca: Zoran Krstanovic 22 points and 8 rebounds, LeVar Seals (194-G-82, agency: N.E.T., college: De Paul) 17.

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RUSSIA

Scariolo in talks with Dinamo -by Andrei Maminov
According to several Media reports in Russia,Dinamo Moscow are in advanced talks with Italian Coach - Sergio Scariolo
The Malaga coach who is coaching in Spain since 1997(TAU,Real Madrid and Unicaja) is negotiationg a long term contract with the Moscow team and expected to replace Sergei Bazarevich
Dinamo wants to Bring an experienced coach and Scariolo fits the bill with two Italian championships ,two Spanish cups,two ACB Championships and an Historic final four with Malaga in 2007
Dinamo wants to finish the negotiations this week and are expected to announce Scariolo as their new Head coach in the next couple of days Sergio Scariolo according to reports in Russia

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SCOTLAND

Eurobasket names Robert Jr. Archibald player of the year in Ukraine -by Eurobasket News
Robert Jr. Archibald (211-C/F-80, agency: Priority Sports, college: Illinois) and his BC Azovmash Mariupol became the 2007/2008 Ukrainian Superleague Champions, having defeated BC Kyiv 84:79 in Game 4 of the best-of-five series. Azovmash had a strong start to the contest, getting an 8:0 lead early on. Kyivs Artur Drozdov hit a triple, but the fire was not extinguished, as the hosts continued to roll, making it a 17:3 game with two minutes to go in the first quarter. Kyiv fought back, reducing the margin to 11 at the end of the frame.
Robert Jr. Archibald made things look nasty for Kyiv as he drained a deuce to make it a 60:47 game in the third frame. The visitors once again reduced the gap to single digits, setting the 67:59 at the end of the stretch. Panagiotis Liadelis had a game-high 22 points. Artur Drozdov finished the loss with a 21-points and 10 rebounds. Robert Jr. Archibald collected 19 points and 6 rebounds.

It was a very productive and successful year for Scottish player abroad. Except the triumph in the Final, Robert Jr. Archibald was named the Best Center in the Ukrainian Cup. He participated in All Star Game and was Ukrainian Superleague Regular Season Runner-Up. In 2007-2008 he played 18 games averaging 11.9ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.6apg, 1.1bpg. In ULEB Cup he averaged 11.4ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.4apg.

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SERBIA

Swisslions Takovo extends coach Dejan Mijatovic -by Dragan Jankovski
Participant of Serbian Superleague, Swisslions Takovo, reached an agreement with head coach Dejan Mijatovic to extended contact for one more season.

Mijatovic started coaching career in Borac Cacak. After two years as an assistant coach, on season 00/01 the team promoted him on a head coach position. Later he moved to BC Beograd while on season 06/07 he was an assistant coach in Hemofarm Vrsac. During the summer 2007 he took over Swisslions Takovo. Mijatovic also has experience from Serbian NT as he was a head coach of U18 NT which won European Championship 2007.

Swisslions has big ambitions for the next season. The team will participate in Serbian A league as well as at the opening season of Balkan league.

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SLOVENIA

Zlatorog agrees with Pipan -by Zeljko Zule

Zlatorog agreed terms with NT head coach Ales Pipan ex Anwil for a multiyear contract.
Mirsad Alilovic will be new head coach of Geoplin Slovan.
Rogaska (B1) re-signed coach Boris Zrinski.

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SPAIN

One Stays and One Goes at Granca -by Paul Nilsen
Kalise Gran Canaria have announced that American guard Marcus Norris (185-G-74, agency: SportsTalent, college: Ball St.) willl spend a fourth consecutive season in the Canary Islands. The player from Michigan has averaged 9.7 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in his 110 games in the ACB.

His team-mate from last year Victor Baldo however will not be playing in the yellow vest of Granca again after the player and the club decided to part company. Baldo leaves Tenerife with plaudits from the club who have been very complimentary towards Baldo thanking him for his efforts for the club explaining how they appreciate his passion and affection for the team and also his professionalism.

Gran Canaria just missed out on the play-offs this season and also the Copa Del Rey having made both cuts in 2006/07.

Tau take game one in Barca! -by Paul Nilsen

Tau Ceramica took a big step towards securing the ACB play-off title after a superb performance at Palau Blaugrana to pick up a dominant 64-75 success against Barcelona.

The home team had looked like they might be capable of their emotional semi-final success over DKV Joventut but after an impressive and frenetic start top the contest, Barca simply folded and lost all of their intensity when Tau found their feet.

The hosts raced into a 14-7 lead but that is about as good as it got for Barcelona. Tau stormed back and led by one going into the second period which they started off with a 15-0 run to lead 21-37.

Unlike the tired looking Badalona team in the semi-final, Tau had the physical attributes inside to match Barca and most importantly, they had the experience to lock down the in-form Lakovic and Acker on the perimeter through a combination of Prigioni, Rakocevic and Planinic.

However it was Brazilian forward Tiago Splitter (211-C/F-85, agency: Interperformances) doing the damage at the other end that really took the home team favourites for this opening contest to the bottom of a mountain which they only briefly looked capable of climbing.

Splitter was sublime in the first half with a series of tough shots that left Vasquez, Kasun and Illyasova watching helplessly. He chalked up 13 points before the break and was backed up by James Singleton who rebounded brilliantly and made some crucial shots at crucial times.

To his credit, Barca captain Roger Grimau led by example and did everything he could to fire up his team-mates and the crowd by almost at times single handedly taking the game to Tau and trying to spark a revival.

He had 11 points in the first half but however even after many of his searing cuts to the hoop, Tau always seemed capable of sticking a dagger into the very notion of a comeback and Baskonia led 32-46 at the half .

A worried Xavi Pascual had no doubt fired-up his below par players during the break. Another worried face but this time in the crowd was Juan Carlos Navarro.

With Acker and Lackovic AWOL, what Pascual would have given to have Navarro shooting the ball to get his team back into this first game of the final series. While he didn't have the NBA star, he did have Illyasova inside and the Turk who has been in red-hot form of late scored 10 points in the quarter.

His team also played much better defence and paid more attention to Splitter, highlighted by Vasquez as the pair clashed. This combined to cut the deficit and it was 51-58

A Pepe Sanchez there-pointer to open the final quarter gave Barca real hope as the gap became just four points but ultimately that was as close as the home team got to Tau. Their lack of hustle, rebounding, the reluctance of Acker to try and score and Lakovic having a woeful shooting night were fatal.

Seven consecutive points for James Singleton took Tau clear again and in the end they cantered to a comfortable victory ahead of Saturdays second game back in the Blaugrana when Barcelona know that their hopes could be left hanging by as thread should they suffer another crushing loss.

Splitter top scored for Tau wirth 21 points while Singleton missed out on a double-double wih 9 points and 10 rebounds. Illyasova and Grimau were the only players to do themselves justice in the Barca team with Grimau scoring 17 points while Illyasova claimed 10 rebounds to go with his 21 points.

Akasvayu Vic step up LEB Gold. -by Daniel Fernandez
Akasvayu Vic was the best team in the Regular Season in the Adecco LEB Silver and they will play the next season in the Adecco LEB Gold. This weekend will be play in Caceres the Final Four, and one more team step up to the LEB Gold. These are the brackets of the Final Four (30-31 May):

CB Illescas - Caceres 2016
Clinicas Axarquia - Farho Gijon

In the Adecco LEB Bronze, two more will be team step up to the LEB Silver in the Final Four that will played in Caceres on 1st June. The winners of the two Semifinals will be played the next season in the LEB Silver:

Balneario Archena - Ferroplast Coruna
Rayet Guadalajara - CB Canasta Jerez

EBA League teams are new LEB Bronze Teams -by Daniel Fernandez
The last weekend was played the series in EBA League to step up to the LEB Bronze. CB Valls Felix Hotel, Domo Residencial Oviedo, Adepal Alcazar and Fundacion Valdemoro Siglo XXI are the four teams that conquered a place in the Adecco LEB Bronze for the next season.

In the LEB Bronze AB Merida, Habitacle Badajoz and ADT Tarragona step down to the EBA League.

In the LEB Silver, CB Prat Joventut, Image Sabadell Gapsa and Costa Urbana Playas Santa Pola will play next season in the LEB Bronze.

Stats Leaders - ACB

ACB Stats Leaders

Points Per Game

1 Fernandez, DKV 21.2
2 Gomis,VLL 18.0
3 Douglas, PAM 16.6
4 Gasol, GIR 16.2
5 English, KGC 15.2

Rebounds Per Game

1 Gasol, GIR 8.3
2 Weis, BLB 7.3
3 Reyes, MAD 6.9
4 Moss, MEN 6.2
5 Evtimov, VLL 6.1

Assists Per Game

1 Sanchez, BAR 5.4
2 Rodrguez, MAN 5.4
3 Williams, PAM 4.8
4 Prigioni, TAU 4.6
5 Sada, GIR 4.2

Steals Per Game

1Fernandez, DKV 2.2
2Rubio, DKV 2.2
3Barton, DKV 1.7

Blocks Per Game

1Asselin, MAN 2.2
2Gasol, GIR 1.8
3Barnes, LEO 1.5

2FGP

1Gasol, GIR 67.7
2Pietrus, EST 66.9
3Hervelle, MAD 66.7

3FGP

1Perez, KGC 48.7
2Garcia, FUE 47.8
3Rodrguez, VLL 58.8

Free Throws

1Corrales, VLL 95.5%
2Marco, LEO 94.9%
3Robles, PWM 94.7%

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SWITZERLAND

Stats Leaders LNA

LNA Stats Leaders

Points Per Game

1 J.McCurry, Star. 26.5
2 Mlandjan, Luga. 21.6
3 Brown, Laus. 20.8
4 Karim, Meyrin 20.7
5 SIR, Boncourt 20.4

Rebounds Per Game

1 Erwin, Luga. 12.2
2 Blankson, Month. 10.1
3 Pellerin, Meyrin 10
4 Thomas, Star. 9.8
5 Pietras, Luga. 9.3

Assists Per Game

1 Bah, Luga. 7.6
2 Derogatis, Geneve 6.9
3 PLeux, Laus. 6.0
4 Karim, Meyrin 5.8
5 Perrier, Fribourg 5.6

Steals Per Game

1 Gibson, Vacallo 4.4
2 Smiljanic, Vacallo 2.9
3 Dacevic, Vacallo 2.7

Blocks Per Game

1 Johnson, Fribourg 3.4
2 Erwind, Luga. 2.0
3 MaddoxA, Vevey 1.7

2FGP

1 Mrazek, Fribourg 78.9
2 Buettner, Geneve 73.9
3 Kautzor, Geneve 70.6

3FGP

1 T.McCrory, Star. 53.8
2 Kautzor, Geneve 53.3
3 Mrazek, Fribourg 52.2

Free Throws

1 Senderos, Meyrin 96.4
2 Van Stein, Laus. 92.6
3 Walkers, Laus. 90.9

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U.S.VIRGIN ISLANDS

Spurs out, but not down quite yet -by David Edole
Did the San Antonio Spurs look like a dying team to you?

This is a most peculiar time of year in the NBA. We've spent the last month praising each team that advances in this protracted postseason, but, at the point when one team is eliminated, we begin to talk only of vulnerability and inevitable change.

'So when you lose, you have to make changes,' said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich (requisite sarcasm understood) in response to the inevitable question about next year. 'But if we won, we wouldn't have to do a damn thing? That's too superficial an analysis.'

Well, Pop, superficial analysis is what we do. And, so, in the wake of the Spurs' 100-92 elimination-game defeat to the Lakers Thursday night at the Staples Center, the focus was on the future. Through late April and much of May, we talked of the Spurs' experience, resiliency AND championship character. But in this five-game series, experience became aging, resiliency became fighting off the inevitable and championship character became it ain't like last year.

Though the Spurs were understandably crusty about perceived weaknesses in their roster, it's a mortal lock that, in the coming weeks, they will be talking about the same thing. They are one of the few franchises that truly subscribes to the idea that winning a championship is an annual goal. So, yes, they will do some tweaking and tinkering -- 'We always do,' says Popovich -- to see if they can find the formula to continue their every-other-year pattern, having won titles in '03, '05 and '07.

San Antonio is, famously, one of the most fiscally responsible franchises in pro sports. Though they have a championship-caliber team, the Spurs have only the 12th highest payroll (about $70 million). So to compare their offseason efforts to rejigger the roster with, say, what the New York Knicks have to do is absurd. But in Alamo City there will be, if not blood, then at least change.

The key thing to remember, though, is that it will not be cataclysmic change. There are no doubt morons in the general populace who will suggest that, given Manu Ginobili's struggles in these conference finals -- he was a near non-factor again in Game 5 with nine points on just nine shots, prompting team comedian Brent Barry to say, 'We had Ma but we were missing Nu' -- the Big Three will not be broken up.

Don't even think about it. At this time of year, we tend to think about players who have been together for a while as ancient. But Tim Duncan (32), Ginobili (30) and Tony Parker (who turned 26 two weeks ago) have at least two more seasons together, barring some blockbuster trade that I can't see happening. That brings them to the end of the 2009-10 season, the last year for which Ginobili is under contract. (Parker is signed through 2011, Duncan through '12.)

The perennial fourth spoke in the Spurs' wheel, Bruce Bowen, will be back, too. No matter how small a factor he might be on offense (he had just four points in Game 5), his Edward Scissorhands play is mandatory on a team that stresses defense. During the series Lakers coach Phil Jackson wryly described Bowen as an 'illusionist,' able to dip his hands into a pile to mess up a play, then withdraw them before a foul can be called.

Token fifth starter Fabricio Oberto, whom Popovich considers the 'best worst player I've ever seen,' got an extension before the season. Count on him. Count on Barry, too, who has a year at his option and would have no reason not to return. And though forward Ime Udoka didn't play on Thursday -- Barry's sharp-shooting squeezed him out of the rotation -- the Spurs like his toughness and three-point stroke. Count on Kurt Thomas, too, whose solid play in Game 5 (11 points, seven rebounds) only reinforced what he means to this team -- a mature veteran who brings it every night and who can alternate with Oberto at the oft-forgotten center position.

So that's a damn solid nine. The hardest decision for the Spurs will be whether to re-sign swingman Michael Finley, even at a modest price. Robert Horry, he of the seven rings, will probably be gone, and so, perhaps, will be backup point guard Jacque Vaughn. His minutes alternated wildly throughout the season but he is a consummate pro who will find a job somewhere, perhaps even back in San Antonio

In summary, then, the Spurs will be looking to get a little more athletic on the perimeter and maybe pick up a back-to-the-basket scorer to complement Duncan. But what team doesn't want those kinds of additions? Yes, the West will be tougher than ever, particularly with the addition of Greg Oden to the Trail Blazers. But you know which team will be in the thick of the fight again?

Yes, you do.

Jack Macullum

DEFINING A LEGACY: TIM DUNCAN -by David Edole
Garnett, Duncan, Rasheed and Kobe. One-name wonders who have defined the era that sits between Shaq and LeBron. Guys who are now in the prime of their athletic careers who also happen to be leading the final four teams vying for the NBA Championship.

Of the four, Tim Duncan (208-F-76, college: Wake Forest) has the least to gain by winning the 2008 NBA title. He has a closet full of hardware - four Championship rings, two MVP awards, three Finals MVP awards and an Olympic gold medal - and is generally regarded as the greatest power forward to ever play in the NBA. For him to win a title this year would only add back-to-back Championships to his resume which is a feat that, while impressive, won't amount to much in terms of understanding or defining his career.

Duncan was one of the few players in the NBA who came into the draft with real fanfare and expectations. He was a consensus number one pick in 1997 and, by virtue of an injury to David Robinson that torpedoed San Antonio's 1996-1997 season, he gave the Spurs a second franchise big man without them ever having to tank and rebuild. By his sophomore season in the NBA Duncan was a Champion and his upward trajectory was launched, as he was on his way to four titles in the next nine years.

But Duncan's impact on the NBA culture remained somewhat dormant. Even as he was demonstrating on an annual basis the value of sound fundamentals and a traditional post game, he was never in discussion as the league's best player nor was he ever considered a trendsetter or forbearer for any movement in the NBA. Even in the years that he won the MVP award (2002, 2003) he was awarded mostly on the basis of his winning percentages and inarguable success rate, not so much because he was a unanimous choice as the greatest player in the NBA during those two years. No one debated that he was deserving of the award (because he was) but much like Ben Wallace winning four Defensive Player of the Year awards, he seemed more like a default choice rather than an obvious one.

And that is the cross that Duncan has had to bear for his entire career. For all that he has accomplished as an individual and as a teammate - and that is more than any of the four players under discussion - he's never received the attention he deserves because he's a throwback player in a forward-thinking league. In many ways he represented the direction and style of play that the league and its fans were trying to distance themselves from, regardless of how effective it was for a ten-year-and-running span. He played a slow and methodical game, often with severe efficiency, when everyone else wanted to shoot forty times per game and go one-on-one every possession. He's the kind of player that most NBA fans acknowledge as one of the all-time greats, but they do so in passing. He's mentioned out of responsibility rather than out of reverence. People will worship at the feet of Kobe and Garnett, but they'll merely nod their heads at the temple of Duncan.

However, his impact on the game and on the league runs far deeper than most people seem to think. He and his style of play reminded a great many in the NBA what the value of a traditional approach to winning could offer. In the wake of the superhuman Michael Jordan-era and his six runs to the title, the league needed to be reminded that that kind of lightning-in-a-bottle comes along far to rarely to build a team around. Instead Duncan reminded people that the way teams used to win titles was with defense, post play and controlling the tempo of the game. While these are things that the great Bulls team also excelled at, having the greatest player of all time on your team sort of puts the attention to the little things on the backburner. When a team faces the Spurs, though, they play the Spurs' way. And the Spurs' way of playing has been exemplified in the play of Duncan; smart, controlled and deadly. He's as competitive as any Iverson or O'Neal, but he hides it behind the knowledge that and his teammates are, more often than not, simply better at playing forty-eight minutes of basketball than their opponents and he's got the hardware to back that thinking up. His - and thus the Spurs' - mindset was not only clearly evident in the construction (and success) of the modern Pistons franchise, but also in the architecture of the Cavs, Bulls and Celtics teams who stress defense and teamwork before any individual accolades. It may not be the most fan-friendly approach to team-building, but its success rate is nothing to laugh at. So while Duncan may not have had quite as obvious an impact as some of the other players of his time, his impact runs deeply through the league, nonetheless.

The problem is that players don't want to be like Tim Duncan these days; they want to be Kevin Garnett. So in that way Duncan could be considered the last of a dying breed of big men, the last relic of a time when big men played as much with their brains as they did with their athleticism in the name of victories. If Kevin Garnett was the re-definition of what was possible, especially statistically, at the power forward spot, Duncan was the previous definition. He was the player more interested in playing with his head than his hops. It probably prevented him from being a far more popular player (although nine consecutive starting nods to the All-Star team suggest he was hardly ignored by fans) but when push comes to shove I think that many early 00's stars would trade-in their endorsements and his All-Star nods if it meant they could have the kind of resume that Duncan gets to take with him when he retires.

The bottom line is that while Duncan may never have graced the cover of as many magazines as Kobe or Garnett, he nonetheless impacted the league with his insistence on winning and winning often. For some players being in the NBA is about style and presentation, refusing to change their game that they see as their identity. Duncan, however, molded his game to give himself the best shot at winning. He was talented enough to play like many of the flashier guys of his time, but he was always more concerned with the flash on his fingers than the flash on SportsCentre. It may not be popular, but last time I checked athletes were measured in rings, and Duncan has simply outpaced any player of his era in that regard. 2008 and beyond will only serve to wind down his storied career, he has nothing left to prove as an NBA legend.

TIM CHISHOLM

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WCBPL

Breakers again undefeated -by Gianni Pascucci

During the past weeks, the Santa Barbara Breakers extended their season-long winning streak to eleven games, and the sensation is that this West Coast Pro Basketball League can not be considered much of a one-team league. In fact, till now only one team (the Breakers) played a full schedule in the same home court, and only them have a reliable website with a stable roster. None of the other teams in the WCPBL played more than a half of the Breakers games, and some of their best players switched between one team and another. The so-named 'official league website' never displayed the game results, neither the full team rosters. It all seems more a weekend, amateur league than a true professional one. We forecast an easy triumph of the Breakers in the upcoming 'WCPBL Championship Weekend' scheduled for June 20-21 at the SBCC Sports Pavilion, not by case their home venue.. However, see here down the last results we found of the Breakers' games
Thursday, May 15, 2008: High Desert Rattlers 116 - Santa Barbara 126
Thursday, May 22, 2008: Newport Beach Surf 130 - Santa Barbara 144
Sunday, May 25, 2008: Ventura Jets 89 - Santa Barbara 105

Standings

WCBPL Standings

1. Santa Barbara	11-0
2. High Desert	4-1
3. Maywood B.	1-0
4. Pasadena	1-2
5. Hollywood	0-2
6. Carlsbad	0-2
7. Ventura	0-3
8. Newport Beach	0-5

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Women News

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ARGENTINA - Women

Brazil wins South American Championship -by Eurobasket News
Brazil - Argentina 84:67

Brazilian National team claimed the South American Championship title for the 22nd time. Yesterday they overcame Argentina in the Final in Loja, Ecuador to take the crown for the 12th straight time. Argentina grabbed the Silver medals for the 11th time in the history. Brazil already edged their Latin American archrivals in the preliminary round and looked forward to repeating the success. However Las Gigantes jumped to an early lead. They dominated in the first period and drove to a 19:16 lead after it. Brazil quickly adjusted their rhythm and outscored their opponents 27:7 in the second stanza to accumulate a 43:26 lead at halftime. Brazil kept Argentina at bay throughout the third term entering the final term with a 17-point cushion. Argentina could not challenge the deficit in the final quarter. Brazil secured the distance and cruised to an overall win at the end. Karla da Costa (173-G-78) provided 20 points to lead Brazil. Chuca Ferreira (180-F/G-79) notched 17 points, while Claudia Das Neves (172-G-75) dropped 14 points and dished out 6 assists for the winners. Florencia Fernandez (190-C-86) knocked down 23 points to lead all scorers. Erica Sanchez (182-F/C-76) added 19 points in a losing effort. Both teams qualified for the FIBA Americas Championship 2009 in Brazil.

Brazil: Karla da Costa 20, Chuca Ferreira 17, Claudia Das Neves 14
Argentina: Florencia Fernandez 23, Erica Sanchez 19

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BRAZIL - Women

Brazil wins South American Championship -by Eurobasket News
Brazil - Argentina 84:67

Brazilian National team claimed the South American Championship title for the 22nd time. Yesterday they overcame Argentina in the Final in Loja, Ecuador to take the crown for the 12th straight time. Argentina grabbed the Silver medals for the 11th time in the history. Brazil already edged their Latin American archrivals in the preliminary round and looked forward to repeating the success. However Las Gigantes jumped to an early lead. They dominated in the first period and drove to a 19:16 lead after it. Brazil quickly adjusted their rhythm and outscored their opponents 27:7 in the second stanza to accumulate a 43:26 lead at halftime. Brazil kept Argentina at bay throughout the third term entering the final term with a 17-point cushion. Argentina could not challenge the deficit in the final quarter. Brazil secured the distance and cruised to an overall win at the end. Karla da Costa (173-G-78) provided 20 points to lead Brazil. Chuca Ferreira (180-F/G-79) notched 17 points, while Claudia Das Neves (172-G-75) dropped 14 points and dished out 6 assists for the winners. Florencia Fernandez (190-C-86) knocked down 23 points to lead all scorers. Erica Sanchez (182-F/C-76) added 19 points in a losing effort. Both teams qualified for the FIBA Americas Championship 2009 in Brazil.

Brazil: Karla da Costa 20, Chuca Ferreira 17, Claudia Das Neves 14
Argentina: Florencia Fernandez 23, Erica Sanchez 19

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CHINA - Women

China beats Czech Republic in Brno -by Eurobasket News
Czech Republic - China 67:76

Chinese National team overcame Czech Republic in their friendly game in Brno yesterday. Both teams continue their preparation for the upcoming summer events. Czech Republic will play at the Olympic Qualifying tournament in Madrid. They will be opposed by Argentina and Angola in Group B. China meanwhile have already booked their spot in the Olympic tournament as they will play in Group B together with Mali, New Zealand and the USA. The teams looked well matched in the starting frame trading the baskets and going neck and neck. The score was all square at 17 after ten minutes of action. The situation never changed in the second frame as both teams remained extra competitive and stayed within striking distance from each other. China however managed to tally a 1-point lead at the end of the first half. China capitalized on a number of misses from the hosts to spur in front in the third period. The Asian powerhouse outgunned the home side 25:11 in the third stanza to accumulate a 15-point lead heading into the final period. Czech team cut the deficit to single digits but China kept it cool in the dying stages and celebrated a well-deserved win at the end. Bian Lan (182-G-86) poured in 19 points for China. Liu Dan added 12 points, while Ni Siao produced 11 in a winning effort. Eva Viteckova (190-F-82) answered with 16 points for Czech Republic. Ivana Vecerova (194-C-79) had 12 points and Michaela Uhrova (166-G-82) contributed 11 in defeat. The teams will meet again today.

Czech Republic: Eva Viteckova 16, Ivana Vecerova 12, Michaela Uhrova 11
China: Bian Lan 19, Liu Dan 12, NiSiao 11

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CZECH REPUBLIC - Women

China beats Czech Republic in Brno -by Eurobasket News
Czech Republic - China 67:76

Chinese National team overcame Czech Republic in their friendly game in Brno yesterday. Both teams continue their preparation for the upcoming summer events. Czech Republic will play at the Olympic Qualifying tournament in Madrid. They will be opposed by Argentina and Angola in Group B. China meanwhile have already booked their spot in the Olympic tournament as they will play in Group B together with Mali, New Zealand and the USA. The teams looked well matched in the starting frame trading the baskets and going neck and neck. The score was all square at 17 after ten minutes of action. The situation never changed in the second frame as both teams remained extra competitive and stayed within striking distance from each other. China however managed to tally a 1-point lead at the end of the first half. China capitalized on a number of misses from the hosts to spur in front in the third period. The Asian powerhouse outgunned the home side 25:11 in the third stanza to accumulate a 15-point lead heading into the final period. Czech team cut the deficit to single digits but China kept it cool in the dying stages and celebrated a well-deserved win at the end. Bian Lan (182-G-86) poured in 19 points for China. Liu Dan added 12 points, while Ni Siao produced 11 in a winning effort. Eva Viteckova (190-F-82) answered with 16 points for Czech Republic. Ivana Vecerova (194-C-79) had 12 points and Michaela Uhrova (166-G-82) contributed 11 in defeat. The teams will meet again today.

Czech Republic: Eva Viteckova 16, Ivana Vecerova 12, Michaela Uhrova 11
China: Bian Lan 19, Liu Dan 12, NiSiao 11

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D.R. CONGO - Women

Ngoyisa shows the best game for Indiana -by Eurobasket News
Bernadette Ngoyisa (195-C-82) and her Indiana Fever needed two overtimes to edge the Los Angeles Sparks 82:78 at home yesterday. The Fever posted their 3rd win in the season despite some late heroics from Candace Parker. Tennessee graduate almost saved the day for the Sparks scoring 6 points in the last minute of the second overtime but the Fever held off the visitors at the end. The Fever led by as many as 15 points at halftime keeping Candace Parker scoreless. But the visitors recovered in the second half and surged ahead late in the fourth period. Bernadette Ngoyisa knocked down a jumper to force overtime. The teams traded baskets in the first extra period and Hoffman's jumper sealed the outcome at 69:69. LaTanya White opened the second overtime with 5 straight points and Hoffman added two more to give the Fever a 76:69 lead. Candace Parker then came up with 6 points for the Sparks to keep the intrigue burning but LaTanya White ensured the winning outcome with a layup and two accurate freebies for the hosts. Katie Douglas led the home side with 25 points. Tan LaTanya White added 20 points and 10 boards, while Bernadette Ngoyisa had 14 points and 9 boards for the winners. Candace Parker answered with 16 points, 16 boards, 6 blocks, 5 assists and 5 steals for the Sparks. Bernadette Ngoyisa provided 14 points, 9 rebounds and 2 steals. Lisa Leslie secured 19 points and 9 boards as the Sparks suffered their first loss in the season.

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EL SALVADOR - Women

Avalos will coach Female NT -by Gianni Pascucci

Experienced coach William Avalos was named the Head Coach and Main Selector of the El Salvador Female National Team. He replaces in the job Enrique Samour, suddenly dead two months ago. The announced was made by the President of the El Savador Basketball Federation, mr. Carlos Loucel. The first score of Avalos will be a good performing at the CentroAmerican Torunemnt, scheduled for the fall of 2009 in Hoduras. His assistant will be Jose Roberto Carrillo

with the help of Jaime Arevalo

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HOLLAND - Women

Yellow Bike is a Champion of Holland! -by Eurobasket News
AutoCAD Amazone - YELLOW BIKE 67:77

Yellow Bike won the Final series in Holland against AutoCAD Amazone. Thank to the latter that brought intrigue into the series and struggled until the end. Yellow Bike trailed 6 points before the last period, but advantaged with 77:67 win. Leonie Kooij (187-F-86) and Maaike Klein (177-G-90) top-scored for the winners with 18 points. Anna Vicenzetto (183-C/F-77) netted 13, while Marloes Roetgerink (189-C-77) posted 10. Judy Wright (172-G-84) ended up with 19 points in the losing effort.
Yellow Bike flew from the very beginning and after some baskets the board showed 8:15 for them. Patricia Chukwuma (186-F/G-85) nailed from the court for 18:25 as the opening quarter ended up at 20:26. Anna Vicenzetto led Yellow Bike to 20:32 win and then Judy Wright made 26:35. Patricia Chukwuma scored a basket to make 33:37 and it was the last one at the half time.
AutoCAD Amazone returned more optimistic and fresher after the break and grabbed the lead in the game. Judy Wright drove her team to 58:52 when the teams started the last period. Francisca Donders (170-G-89) reduced the gap to 58:57, but Wright increased to 60:57. With 63:62 Yellow Bike made the Final spurt not only in the game but in the series as well. The team won the regular season and added Trophy in the Play-offs in Holland.

AutoCAD Amazone: Judy Wright 19, Tyler McIlwraith (185-G-85, college: St.Louis) 8+9 rebs, Marloes Renskers (170-G-81, college: Armstr.Atlantic) 7+6 rebs+ 4 assists, Patricia Chukwuma 7
YELLOW BIKE: Leonie Kooij 18, Maaike Klein 18, Anna Vicenzetto 13, Marloes Roetgerink 10

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NIGERIA - Women

Chukwuma finished a great season in Holland -by Eurobasket News
Patricia Chukwuma (186-F/G-85) finished second in Holland with her AutoCAD Amazone. It was a great season for Nigerian player abroad and she did her best to help the team reaching the top position. Yellow Bike won the Final series in Holland against AutoCAD Amazone. Thank to the latter that brought intrigue into the series and struggled until the end. Yellow Bike trailed 6 points before the last period, but advantaged with 77:67 win. Kooij Leonie and Klein Maaike top-scored for the winners with 18 points. Vicenzetto Anna netted 13, while Roetgerink Marloes posted 10. Judy Wright ended up with 19 points in the losing effort and Patricia Chukwuma posted 7.
Yellow Bike flew from the very beginning and after some baskets the board showed 8:15 for them. Patricia Chukwuma nailed from the court for 18:25 as the opening quarter ended up at 20:26. Anna Vicenzetto led Yellow Bike to 20:32 win and then Judy Wright made 26:35. Patricia Chukwuma scored a basket to make 33:37 and it was the last one at the half time.
AutoCAD Amazone returned more optimistic and fresher after the break and grabbed the lead in the game. Judy Wright drove her team to 58:52 when the teams started the last period. Francis Donder reduced the gap to 58:57, but Wright increased to 60:57. With 63:62 Yellow Bike made the Final spurt not only in the game but in the series as well. The team won the regular season and added Trophy in the Play-offs in Holland.

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OLYMPIC GAMES - Women

Standings - Women

Olympic Games Standings

Group A
1. Austral.		0-0
2. Korea		0-0
3. Russia		0-0
Group B
1. China		0-0
2. Mali		0-0
3. New Zea.		0-0
4. USA		0-0

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POLAND - Women

Gdynia builds new team -by Maciej Schwarz
Lotos PKO BP Gdynia is in a middle of building new team. President of the team Mieczyslaw Krawczyk said: 'We have five players so far, and actually at this time, we cannot think of employing new ones. We are close to finish negotiations with our sponsors, which will make us sure what we can afford this season. However, the aims for 2008/09 campaign won't change too much. First of all, we want to take the Polish Championship from Wisla Can-Pack Krakow, and secondly we want to built the team strong enough to reach the play-offs of Euroleague and maybe even Final Four. All this aims will be set in front of the new head coach, which will be known around mid June. I can say that probably it will be international trainer.'
From unofficial informations we know that the club is very interested in rehiring Alana Beard (180-G/F-82, college: Duke) (180-G/F-82, college: Duke), Chamique Holdsclaw (188-F-77, agency: Merit Sports, college: Tennessee), Dominique Canty (175-G/F-77, agency: Merit Sports, college: Alabama), who contributed greatly to the club last season. And hiring Iziane Castro (183-G/F-82), E Mandir, Olexandra Gorbunova (186-F-86), Nilay Yigit (170-G-79), Milica Dabovic (175-G-82), and Linda Frohlich
Coach's position should be filled probably by a coach from Balkan states, Italy, France or Russia.

Wisla Can-Pack announced new signinings -by Maciej Schwarz
On yesterday's press conference Wisla Can-Pack Krakow announced the team, which will compete in 2008/09 campaign. The most spectacular returns are Chamique Holdsclaw (188-F-77, agency: Merit Sports, college: Tennessee) and dominique canty(175-G/F-77, agency: Merit Sports, college: Alabama). Both played for Lotos PKO BP Gdynia in 2007/08, but in 2006/07 were wearing red star Wisla jerseys. What is more, Wisla authorities added Slobodanka Tuvic (196-C-77) (Maksimovic) (196-C-77) to the roster, who played in Lotos PKO BP Gdynia too.
Now, the Wisla team is: Anna DeForge (178-G-76, college: Nebraska) Dominique Canty (175-G/F-77, agency: Merit Sports, college: Alabama), Aneta Kotnis (186-F-89), Chamique Holdsclaw, Dorota Gburczyk (188-F-79), Ewelina Kobryn (193-C-82), Edyta Blaszczak (175-F-85), Agnieszka Palka (195-C-82), Paulina Gajdosz, Jelena Skerovic (172-G-80), Slobodanka Maksimovic, Anna Wielebnowska (188-C-78), Marta Fernandez (178-F-81).
Wojciech Downar-Zapolski will remain as head coach and Dariusz Raczynski will become his assistant.

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SOUTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS - Women

South American Championship. Finals -by Eurobasket News
Championship game

Brazil - Argentina 84:67
Brazilian National team claimed the South American Championship title for the 22nd time. Yesterday they overcame Argentina in the Final in Loja, Ecuador to take the crown for the 12th straight time. Argentina grabbed silver medals for the 11th time in the history. Brazil already edged their Latin American archrivals in the preliminary round and looked forward to repeating the success. However Las Gigantes jumped to an early lead. They dominated in the first period and drove to a 19:16 lead after it. Brazil quickly adjusted their rhythm and outscored their opponents 27:7 in the second stanza to accumulate a 43:26 lead at halftime. Brazil kept Argentina at bay throughout the third term entering the final term with a 17-point cushion. Argentina could not challenge the deficit in the final quarter. Brazil secured the distance and cruised to an overall win at the end. Karla da Costa (173-G-78) provided 20 points to lead Brazil. Chuca Ferreira (180-F/G-79) notched 17 points, while Claudia Das Neves (172-G-75) dropped 14 points and dished out 6 assists for the winners. Florencia Fernandez (190-C-86) knocked down 23 points to lead all scorers. Erica Sanchez (182-F/C-76) added 19 points in a losing effort. Both teams qualified for the FIBA Americas Championship 2009 in Brazil.

Brazil: Karla da Costa 20, Chuca Ferreira 17, Claudia Das Neves 14
Argentina: Florencia Fernandez 23, Erica Sanchez 19

Bronze medals game

Venezuela - Chile 72:91
Chile celebrated their third and most important win at the South American Championship. They defeated Venezuela in the Bronze medals game and clinched the third overall spot at the tournament. Chile thus advanced to the FIBA Americas championship to be held in Brazil in 2009. Chilean team repeated their success of 2001 and 2003 seasons when they also claimed the Bronze medals at the event. Venezuela grabbed the Bronze medals in 1999.

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UKRAINE - Women

Gorbunova triumphs with MKB Eruoleasing -by Eurobasket News
Ukrainian abroad Olexandra Gorbunova (186-F-86) triumphed with MKB Eruoleasing in Hungary. The Hungarian A Division Final tipped off in Pecs. First the local Pesci hosted MKB Euroleasing in the best-of-five series opener. The game turned into a real drama with the outcome being figured out in the final seconds. Both teams entered the playoff stage with equal records of 23-1 and Pecsi appeared on top just due to additional results. However MKB Euroleasing bereaved Pecsi of the home-court advantage in the first game. MKB jumped to an early lead as they managed to outscore the hosts 23:19 in the first frame. However the hosts quickly drew level as they prevailed in the second stanza 15:13 to trail by just 2 points at the break. The things got even tighter in the third period when the teams traded baskets and came out of the quarter all square at 45. But an inspirational performance from Olexandra Gorbunova propelled the MKB Euroleasing to a hard-fought last second win at the end. She finished with 20 points and 6 boards for the visitors. Edit Eordogh contributed 16 points, while Dora Horti nailed 10 points and pulled down 8 rebounds for the winners. Anna Vajda and Dalma Ivanyi answered with 14 points apiece for Pesci. Zsofia Fegyverneky had 10 points in a losing case. MKB Euroleasing outrebounded their opponents 31:25 and shot 40% from the field.
After the win away MKB Euroleasing use the home court and win again. The cenetrs of Pecs played really well, but Olexandra Gorbunova was unstoppable again! The Ukrainian forward led her team to the second victory on the final.
In Game 3 Olexandra Gorbunova nailed 8 points for her team as Mizo Pecs 2010 won 69:42. After the 3rd game, when Pecs played excellent and beat Sopron by 27 everybody waited a big come back from Pecs. The tired team can't make the wonder against the great Sopron. Olexandra Gorbunova nailed 11 points for the winners.

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WNBA - Women

Standings

WNBA Eastern Standings

1. Detroit S.	4-1
2. Minnesota L.	3-0
3. Seattle S.	3-1
4. Connect. S.	3-1
5. Indiana F.	3-1
6. L.Angeles S.	2-1
7. S.Antonio SS	2-1
8. Washingt. M.	2-2
9. New York L.	1-2
10. Chicago Sky	1-2
11. Sacram. M.	1-3
12. Charlotte S.	0-0
13. Houston C.	0-3
14. Phoenix M.	0-3

Indiana survives two extra terms to topple Los Angeles -by Eurobasket News
The Indiana Fever needed two overtimes to edge the Los Angeles Sparks 82:78 at home yesterday. The Fever posted their 3rd win in the season despite some late heroics from Candace Parker (6'4''-F/C-86, college: Tennessee). Tennessee graduate almost saved the day for the Sparks scoring 6 points in the last minute of the second overtime but the Fever held off the visitors at the end. The Fever led by as many as 15 points at halftime keeping Candace Parker scoreless. But the visitors recovered in the second half and surged ahead late in the fourth period. Bernadette Ngoyisa (6'5''-C-82) knocked down a jumper to force overtime. The teams traded baskets in the first extra period and Hoffman's jumper sealed the outcome at 69:69. LaTanya White (5'7''-G-82, college: Mississippi St.) opened the second overtime with 5 straight points and Hoffman added two more to give the Fever a 76:69 lead. Candace Parker then came up with 6 points for the Sparks to keep the intrigue burning but LaTanya White ensured the winning outcome with a layup and two accurate freebies for the hosts. Katie Douglas (6'0''-G/F-79, college: Purdue) led the home side with 25 points. Tan LaTanya White added 20 points and 10 boards, while Bernadette Ngoyisa had 14 points and 9 boards for the winners. Candace Parker answered with 16 points, 16 boards, 6 blocks, 5 assists and 5 steals for the Sparks. Lisa Leslie (6'5''-C-72, college: USC) secured 19 points and 9 boards as the Sparks suffered their first loss in the season.
The Minnesota Lynx extended their perfect run as they handled the Chicago Sky 75:69 away from home yesterday. Seimone Augustus (6'1''-G-84, college: LSU) poured in 19 points and grabbed 9 boards to lead the Lynx to the third straight win. Anna DeForge (5'10''-G-76, college: Nebraska) and Charde Houston (6'1''-F-86, college: Connecticut) contributed 15 points apiece in a win. Sylvia Fowles (6'6''-C-85, college: LSU) responded with 16 points and 11 boards for the Sky as they fell to 1-2 record. The teams were tied late in regulation before Anosike drained a go-ahead jumper for the Lynx. Candice Wiggins followed it with a three-pointer and Minnesota enjoyed a 71:66 advantage with 40 seconds remaining. Sylvia Fowles drilled a treble to cut the deficit back to 2 points however Seimone Augustus and Charde Houston were deadly from charity stripe to bring victory for the visitors.