EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 5/5/2008
Copyright 1997-2007 EurobasketMen News
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CEP Fleurus vs. Sint-Jan Antwerp 81-74
Nice crowd in Bonsecours last Friday for the first leg of the 2008 Division II Play-Off Finals. The hometeam started the game with the intention to win with a large gap in order to travel to Hoboken for the second leg with a relatively good advantage next Tuesday. The first and second quarters were particularly marked by some easy attempts missed in fastbreak situation by the CEP players. Only Sam Semijejero (196-F/C-77) in the paint, Stephen Tison (176-G-84) from long range and Tomasz Rozewicz (206-C-82) at the rebound seemed able to boost their CEP mates while Thomas Van De Vondel (197-F/G-80, agency: Stanley International) was already well present in all sectors of the game for the visitors. Around fifty Sint-Jan fans believed in one of their team's feat especially when half-time was reached on the following score: 38-39. In the second half, the men of Coach Bastianini seemed to have found the right tempo when they took the lead 57-49 but it was without counting on Van Schil, Van de Vondel and Lemaire of Sint-Jan who led their team for a nice comeback (62-59 at the end of the third quarter). Semijejero and Tison kept showing the way to their mates but it was not enough as Sint-Jan stayed close. After a few wrong options chosen by the CEP players, the visitors came back at 78-73 (Witse Van Schil from long range again). Ward Lemaire (196-F-80) even had the opportunity to fill the gap with 2.4 seconds left on the clock when he was fouled on what seemed to be a last attempt in this game. He made only one of his two free-throws and Coach Fulvio Bastianini immediately took a time-out as CEP had only a four-point lead. The last play after the time-out was worth seeing as Stefan Moris (207-F/C-86) hit a very important three-pointer on the buzzer. Fleurus' fans could not believe their eyes and the last basket by one of their favourite players made them very happy. CEP will go to Hoboken with a 7-point advantage for the second leg but Sint-Jan players proved that they have not surrendered yet and can still challenge their opponents.
Quarter by quarter score evolution: 23-18, 38-39, 62-59 and 81-74.
Fleurus: Vanesse 11; Tison 11; Pirlot 6; Moris 9; Jadin 11; Rozewicz 9; Buja 8; Semijejero 10; Pourtoit 6.
Sint-Jan: Gorremans 2; Van Rillaer 5; Lemaire 5; Van Schil 23; T. Van de Vondel 26; Verrept 6; Ceyssens 7.
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In great Bosnian derby Bosna ASA defeat Siroki in Skenderija with 78:71. Last two game in Sarajevo Siroki was better (last season in Final game for title and this season in Cup Semifinal) but tonight was third lucky for Bosna. After half part of League 8 Bosna ASA BHT is still undefeated and behind Bosna is three team with five win and two loses game Igokea Partizan, Siroki Prima Pivo and Sloboda Dita. Probably this is four team which will go in Play-Off too.
Results:
Bosna ASA BH Telecom - Siroki Prima Pivo 78:71
Sloboda Dita - Zrinjski Mik Company 103:82
Igokea Partizan - Slavija 99:59
Borac Nektar - Grude 80:86
Standings:
1. Bosna ASA BHT 7-0 566:456 +110 14 pts.
2. Igokea Partizan 5-2 616:531 +85 12 pts.
3. Siroki Prima Pivo 5-2 568:527 +41 12 pts.
4. Sloboda Dita 5-2 536:538 -02 12 pts.
5. Zrinjski MC 2-5 563:630 -67 9 pts.
6. Slavija 2-5 526:596 -70 9 pts.
7. Borac Nektar 1-6 506:537 -31 8 pts.
8. Grude 1-6 527:593 -66 8 pts.
Bosna ASA BH Telecom - Siroki Prima Pivo 78:71
(20:20, 27:18, 19:18, 12:15)
Sarajevo, SD Skenderija; Att.: 1.000; Ref.: Jovanic, Lakic, Sobot
BOSNA ASA BHT: Jefferson 3, Sehovic 6, Tomovic, Panic 10, Bavcic 12, Zimic, Bailey 9, Rahimic, Hajric 10, Pasalic, Jackson 9, Williams 19 (10 reb.)
Coach: Jurij Zdovc
SIROKI PP: Bubalo, Grays 10, Stemberger 7, Dijan 11, Zupic 6, Sola, Spralja 17, Naletilic, Susak, Fajardo 12 (10 reb.), Bethel 6, Ezugwu 2
Coach: Ivan Velic
Sloboda Dita - Zrinjski Mik Company 103:82
(24:18, 23:23, 26:20, 30:21)
Tuzla, SD Mejdan; Att.: 700; Ref.: Adamovic, Duskaj, Okuka
SLOBODA DITA: Halilovic, M. Milosevic 18, Halilbegovic, Albijanic 10, Jevtic, Persic, Tomovic, Tanasilovic 7, Matic 24 (10 reb.), N. Milosevic 10, Jocovic 15, Ross 19
Coach: Senad Muminovic
ZRINJSKI MC: Filipovic 12, Bisko, Sarenac 8, Petric 3, Oroz, Dzidic 13, Simovic 4, Brecic 4, Vuckovic 23, Buhac 12, Planinic 3, Grbavac
Coach: Nedeljko Zelenika
Igokea Partizan - Slavija 99:59
(36:11, 19:19, 26:16, 18:13)
Aleksandrovac, SD Nenad Bastinac; Att.: 800; Ref.: Pehar, Drmic, Coric
IGOKEA PARTIZAN: Tosic 2, Patterson 9, Bocka 7, Stazic 11, Djurica 1, Vucurovic 10, Cup 8, Wright 7, Lydeka 4, Stefanovic 4, Kovacevic 20, Allen 16
Coach: Zoran Sretenovic
SLAVIJA: Gvozdenovic, 5 Stanic 4, Tomasevic, Simeunovic, Mladenovic 6, Damjanovic D., Vukovic 4, Malovic 4, Grubisic 8, Ivanovic 2, Demic 14, Damjanovic A. 12
Coach: Goran Sehovac
Four weeks after Eurobasket.com announced Euroleague 2007-08 awards, also Euroleague announced their own awards for 2007-08 season at the Final Four in Madrid. Strangely Euroleague selection was based mostly on the teams, which made it to the Final Four and only Pekovic of Partizan managed to get to the second team. So there was lots of controversy among the journalists as Euroleague ommitted long list of players from other Euroleague teams. Surprisingly the names like Will Solomon (187-G-78, college: Clemson) of Fenerbahce Ulker, Vasilis Spanoulis (193-G-82) of Panathinaikos and Jeremiah Massey (202-F-82, college: Kansas St.) of Aris did not make even second team despite many considered them worth to be placed there. Some wondered if the reason was that the award event took place in Madrid at the Final Four, so all participants of the Final Four were already here and it was easier to redistribute the awards among these players...
Eurobasket.com All-Euroleague awards (all awards are published on http://www.eurobasket.com/events/eluleb/07-08/eurol.asp)
Player of the Year: Nikola Pekovic (210-C-86) of Partizan Igokea
Guard of the Year: Will Solomon (187-G-78) of Fenerbahce Ulker
Forward of the Year: Jeremiah Massey of Aris
Center of the Year: Nikola Pekovic of Partizan Igokea
Import Player of the Year: Jeremiah Massey of Aris
Domestic Player of the Year: Nikola Pekovic of Partizan Igokea
Defensive Player of the Year: Terence Morris (206-F-79) of Maccabi Elite
Coach of the Year: Simone Pianigiani of Montepaschi
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1st Team
Will Solomon of Fenerbahce Ulker
Vasilis Spanoulis (193-G-82) of Panathinaikos
Ramunas Siskauskas (197-G-78) of CSKA
Jeremiah Massey of Aris
Nikola Pekovic of Partizan Igokea
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2nd Team
Dimitris Diamantidis (196-G-80) of Panathinaikos
Dusan Kecman (197-G/F-77) of Partizan Igokea
Trajan Langdon (192-G-76) of CSKA
Terence Morris of Maccabi Elite
Tiago Splitter (211-C/F-85) of Tau
Euroleague awards (very controversial)
Euroleague 1st Team 2007-08
McIntyre
Langdon
Siskauskas
Morris
Splitter
All-Euroleague 1st Team
Terrell McIntyre (175-G-77) of Montepaschi
Trajan Langdon of CSKA
Ramunas Siskauskas of CSKA
Terence Morris of Maccabi
Tiago Splitter of Tau
Euroleague 2nd Team 2007-08
Papaloukas
Thornton
Halperin
Pekovic
Lavrinovic
All-Euroleague 2nd Team
Theodoros Papaloukas (200-G-77) of CSKA
Bootsy Thornton (194-G-77) of Montepaschi
Yotam Halperin (196-G-84) of Maccabi
Nikola Pekovic of Partizan
Ksystof Lavrinovic (210-C-79) of Montepaschi
MVP: Ramunas Siskauskas of CSKA
Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy: Marc Salyers (205-F-79) of Choral Roanne
Rising Star Trophy: Danilo Gallinari (206-G/F-88) of Armani Jeans Milano
Best Defender Trophy: Dimitris Diamantidis of Panathinaikos
As it was easy to predict, FMP did not have bigger problems ti defeat FC AXA Barcelona in the Euroleague junior tournament final winning it 80-70. FMP controlled the game from the first minutes, staying in comfortable distance thru the most of the game. But the real knock-out was middle of the last quarter, where they had two consecutive three pointers and then after fast break they were elready 20 points ahead. The last minutes were meanigless as FMP tried to keep the lead and they allowed even Barcelona players to get few extra points to shrink the distance to more reasonable 10 points. The FMP team was lead thru entire tournament by guard Andreja Milutinovic (199-G-90) (18 points and 8 rebounds tonight), center Dejan Musli (213-C-91) (25 points + 14 rebounds) and power forward Bojan Subotic (203-F/C-90) (21pts+8reb). AXA was lead by Bosnian Nihad Dedovic (196-F-90) who had 29 points andgrabbed 11 rebounds.
FMP junior team roster:
4 Anreja Milutinovic (199-G-90)
5 Aleksandar Ponjavic (194-F-91)
6 Ivan Zaric (191-G-91)
7 Bojan Subotic (204-F-90)
8 Marko Gacinovic (191-G-90)
9 Bogdan Jovanovic (206-C-91)
10 Nemanja Petrovic (188-G-90)
11 Nikola Vukasovic (190-G-91)
12 Svetozar Stamenkovic (202-F-90)
13 Nemanja Gudzic (195-F-90)
14 Branislav Dekic (206-C-91)
15 Dejan Musli (213-C-91)
Head coach: Vanja Gusa
3rd place game: Montepaschi Siena - Tau Ceramica Vitoria 97-93 (21-19, 17-22, 23-20, 18-18)
In every Euroleague Final Four the 3rd place game is always a contest of pride as both teams have to pick themselves up emotionally after loosing the important semifinal. The atmosphere is not at the same level as the semifinal or final but around the third quarter and the atmosphere will pick up as the arena will fill up with supporters of the championship game.
However Tau fans were loyal and showed some great support and enthusiasm.
Both teams started the game very nervously. The first points were scored more than two minutes into the game by Planinic. Then the game picked up as both teams exchanged three and two pointers without getting a major advantage. Tau finally opened a small lead with three 3-pointers from Mirza Teletovic (205-F-85, agency: Beo Basket). Then Siena's Ksystof Lavrinovic (210-C-79) step his game up and the first quarter ended 21-19 for Italian team.
The second quarter started with a lot of vocal crowd support from the Tau fans. It looked like Tau was more focused and they managed to get a three point lead.
Siena regrouped and managed to catch up with Tau getting a small lead 25-24. But a good game of Tau's duo Simas Jasaitis (202-F/G-82) and James Singleton (203-F-81, college: Murray St.) assured that Spaniards took back the lead 29-25. Two minutes till the end of the second half both teams took serious and the game was way faster with much closer defense. Montepaschi tried to stay close, but French forward Pete Mickeal (198-F-78, college: Cincinnati)'s 7 points assured to keep six point lead for Tau. Three pointer by Drake Diener (196-G-81, agency: Priority Sports, college: De Paul) allowed Siena to stay just three points behind at the half time.
The third quarter started with both teams shooting very well., so they exchanged a lot of baskets keeping the contest close. Central African Romain Sato (194-G-81, college: Xavier) lead Montepaschi at this time with nine points, while Tau was lead by Pete Mickeal, who added extra seven consecutive points. The first significant lead was after Nigerian Benjamin Eze (207-C/F-81, college: S.Idaho JC)'s dunk, when Montepaschi was 61-55 ahead. Tau quickly responded and tied the game and the score was 61-61 at the close of the third quarter.
The fourth quarter was very defensive and finally Lavrinovic finally scored the first points with the dunk, which was immediately repeated by Tiago Splitter (211-C/F-85, agency: Interperformances)'s dunk at the other side of the court. During the next phase of the game the referees let the game get a little too physical and almost out of control with both teams picking up a lot of fouls, many free throws and ...no team was able to get bigger than two point lead.
Pablo Prigioni did a very good job stopping the best Montepaschi player of the semifinal game - Terrell McIntyre (175-G-77, college: Clemson). Splitter found the rhythm and was scoring the most of Tau's points in the fourth quarter.
Three minutes before the end of the game it was still 76-75 for Siena and it looked like it would be a very close game until the last seconds.
With just one minute left Siena's Shaun Stonerook (203-F/C-77, college: Ohio) missed a three pointer with a one point led for Tau.
The Spanish immediately took a time out with 50 seconds before the end of the game. Tau lossed the ball and Montepaschi had only a few seconds to score.
With five seconds left in the game (79-78 for Tau) McIntyre missed a three pointer.
Luckily Lavrinovic got fouled and made one out of two free throws and tied the game 79-79.
Tau took another time out with a few seconds left in the contest and once the game resumed the ball was passed to Zoran Planinic (198-G-82), he droved to the basket, but the wall made of Sato and Stonerook stopped him from scoring the winning basket. The game went to overtime.
In overtime McIntyre got fouled while attempting a three pointer and made all of his free throws bringing a 82-79 lead for Siena.
Rakocevic finally woked up and scored two points for Tau on a fast break cutting Siena's lead to just one point. Another two successful free throws by Siena changed the result to 84-81 for Montepaschi.
Mickeal made only one of two free throws and Siena kept a two point lead with three minutes left on the clock. McIntyre lost the ball and Singleton's three pointer gave the first overtime lead to Tau with just two minutes to go.
Lavrinovic repeated making two free throws on the other side of the court and Siena kept a two point margin.
Tau lost another ball and fouled Stonerook who made one out of two free throws slightly increasing Montepaschi's lead to three points.
Tau's Singleton missed a shot and Macedonian Vlado Ilievski (190-G-80, agency: World Sport Agency) got another two points from a fast break bringing Siena's lead to 90-85 just 59 seconds till the end of the game.
Rakocevic missed a shot and Stonerook replied with another three pointer giving the Siena team 8 point lead.
Teletovic hit a three pointer and fouled McIntyre with a few seconds left.
Singleton made another 3 pointer and Siena's Lavrinovic scored two for Montepaschi. Teletovic got fouled with four seconds left in the game and his two free throws did not help to change the score much as Montepaschi won the third place with 97-93 final score.
Montepaschi went crazy.
As soon as the game was over they started cheering for ...CSKA as the prediction of upcoming final game between CSKA Moscow and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Similarly like in previous seasons, also this year Eurobasket has live coverage from the most important European clubs event - Euroleague Final Four.
Final: Maccabi Tel-Aviv - CSKA Moscow 77-91 (21-22, 20-20, 16-21, 20-28)
Half of the arena was yellow as the Maccabi supporters were definitely the visible majority. CSKA support section was alot smaller, but they were joined by Montepaschi and Tau fans, who also cheered for the Russian team. Most of journalists predicted that CSKA would win the game as they more quality players on the paper, and at the beginning of the season not many predicted Maccabi making it to the Final Four. But after they changed the coach in the mid-season, they improved dramatically and made it all way to the Euroleague final.
Both of these teams are considered the the finest professional franchises in European basketball boosting annual budgets over $40 million dollars per season.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has won back to back Euroleague titles in the new millenium and CSKA has appered in the last six final fours.
CSKA powered their way to the Euroleague championship with a 91-71 victory and was lead by Trajan Langdon (192-G-76, college: Duke) 21 points, who mas named MVP of the Final Four.
The Russian team was a lot more disciplined on offense and Maccabi falter with a sluggish third quarter and individual play.
Maccabi's center Nikola Vujcic (211-C-78, agency: Interperformances) scored the first basket of the game. CSKA seemed to be a little pressed by the loud support of Maccabi fans which inspired the Yellows to a 5-0 lead.
CSKA's Trajan Langdon scored five points in a row cutting Maccabi's lead and Australian David Andersen (212-C-80) followed with a two pointer taking the first lead of the game for the Russian team.
Both teams got their rhythm while exchanging many baskets and CSKA opened up a small lead, but could not increase as both teams traded baskets like a good heavyweight fight.
Maccabi had a chance to knot the score but missed four consecutive free throws in a row. The first quarter ended with CSKA leading 22-21.
The second quarter started with a perfect play from both teams and the lead changed every few seconds.
Finally Maccabi made two turnovers and CSKA thanks to Matjaz Smodis (205-F-79) and his great inside game managed to get four point lead.
Maccabi took the time out but it did not help because they ended up loosing three out of the next four posessions and CSKA was more disciplined increasing the lead to seven points (38-31).
Maccabi's American Will Bynum (180-G-83, agency: Priority Sports, college: Georgia Tech) took charge and scored two consecutive baskets cutting the CSKA lead to just three points.
Maccabi took another time out then David Bluthenthal (201-F-80, college: USC)'s three pointer tied the game. CSKA took a one point advantage to the halftime break (42-41).
CSKA Moscow started the third quarter very focused and after two three pointers in a row, they increased the lead to seven points. J.R. Holden (185-G-76, college: Bucknell) and David Andersen was playing some good basketball during this time period.
Will Bynum on the other hand missed a couple of drives in a row and Maccabi suffered from too much one on one play and lost their composure.
Maccabi could not penatrate the strong defense of CSKA and the the Russian got the ball to their inside players increasing the lead to 9 points.
Three minutes before the end of the quarter Maccabi asked for the timeout but It did not help a lot and CSKA kept similar lead till the end of the quarter.
The fourth quarter started with CSKA playing very smart and controlled game. Maccabi's approach did not change too much and we could see the end coming soon. CSKA had a small fan contingent but was very loud considering their size compared to the Yellows and their fanatical supporters.
The Russian fans went crazy after Matjaz Smodis hit a three pointer giving CSKA fourteen point (71-57) lead. Maccabi took another timeout with the saame result.
The Russian team still controlled the game and was very successful defending the one-on-one play by the Israeli team.
Maccabi woke up exactly in the middle of the forth quarter, when they scored their first two baskets in this period.
CSKA took time out seeing the Yellows getting their rhythm. Maccabi was determined to change the result, but CSKA played very smart game and controlled the tempo of the contest.
Two and a half minutes before the end of the game Maccabi took its last time out since they had nothing to lose as the game was really over at this point.
At this time the security personnel already arrived on the court in a large number just to make sure they would have full control of the fans.
The final minutes belonged to Greek Theodoros Papaloukas (200-G-77, agency: Interperformances) and his Russian team. They had too mucch class to allow the victory slip out of their hands.
The Montepaschi fans who stayed to watch the final game after their team won 3rd place, started cheering in support of CSKA team, upcoming Euroleague champion.
It took CSKA 35 years to win the Euroleague title since it lifter the trophy in 1971, but won it twice in 2006 and now in 2008. It makes the Russian team the second most winning team in Euroleague history. Ettore Messina becomes the second most winning coach in Euroleague history with 4 titles, just behind Zeljko Obradovic with 6 titles.
(207-F/C-81, college: Pennsylvania) followed with 14 points and 8 rebounds, Lamont McIntosh (191-G-82, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Georgia St.) contributed with 12 points, while Leon Rodgers (199-F-80, college: N.Illinois) had 11. Ludwigsburg was paced by Ronald Ross (188-G-83, college: Texas Tech) who scored 11 points in the game, Heiko Schaffartzik (182-G-84) tallied 10 points. Boxscore: click (210-C-84, agency: Octagon, college: Stanford) scored 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for Bremerhaven, Berlin got a game-high 29 points from Julius Jenkins (187-G-81, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Georgia Southern). Boxscore: click
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Maroussi with leader Nikos Boudouris (192-G-71) and scorer the impressive Branko Milisavljevic (193-G-76) beat Aris 72-61 in Thessaloniki and break the advantage of Aris in the first phase of play offs. If Maroussi won in Athens the third team in the regular season- Aris- would be out from the first round. Coach Soulis Markopoulos with genius moves hypnotic the opponent. Aris after a good start (7min16-9) think that everything it will be easy but make a big mistake and pay for that. Gordon Herbert says : We have a lot of respect, we did not underestimate the Maroussi, we had been prepared psychologically. In the first 5-6 minutes we played well and from that point we were careless and in the two parts of ground. It should be in our brain one aim, the win, we are with the back in the wall.
Aris was not found in good situation and this was proved by the output that had all the players. 'We knew that it would be a difficult game, we did not play as it should and we lost. Even very big teams have such nights. In the next game, we should not make so many errors, we should protect the ball and go up the rhythm. If we suceed to do that , then we will gain the game' say Jeremiah Massey (202-F-82, college: Kansas St.)
Aris T.T. - Marousi Costa Coffee 61-72
Top scorers:
Aris T.T. : Tsaldaris 12 points, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block - Wasshington 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal
Maroussi Costa Coffee: Milisavljevic 27 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist - Stevenson 9 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks - Boudouris 6 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals
3rd place game: Montepaschi Siena - Tau Ceramica Vitoria 97-93 (21-19, 17-22, 23-20, 18-18)
In every Euroleague Final Four the 3rd place game is always a contest of pride as both teams have to pick themselves up emotionally after loosing the important semifinal. The atmosphere is not at the same level as the semifinal or final but around the third quarter and the atmosphere will pick up as the arena will fill up with supporters of the championship game.
However Tau fans were loyal and showed some great support and enthusiasm.
Both teams started the game very nervously. The first points were scored more than two minutes into the game by Planinic. Then the game picked up as both teams exchanged three and two pointers without getting a major advantage. Tau finally opened a small lead with three 3-pointers from Mirza Teletovic (205-F-85, agency: Beo Basket). Then Siena's Ksystof Lavrinovic (210-C-79) step his game up and the first quarter ended 21-19 for Italian team.
The second quarter started with a lot of vocal crowd support from the Tau fans. It looked like Tau was more focused and they managed to get a three point lead.
Siena regrouped and managed to catch up with Tau getting a small lead 25-24. But a good game of Tau's duo Simas Jasaitis (202-F/G-82) and James Singleton (203-F-81, college: Murray St.) assured that Spaniards took back the lead 29-25. Two minutes till the end of the second half both teams took serious and the game was way faster with much closer defense. Montepaschi tried to stay close, but French forward Pete Mickeal (198-F-78, college: Cincinnati)'s 7 points assured to keep six point lead for Tau. Three pointer by Drake Diener (196-G-81, agency: Priority Sports, college: De Paul) allowed Siena to stay just three points behind at the half time.
The third quarter started with both teams shooting very well., so they exchanged a lot of baskets keeping the contest close. Central African Romain Sato (194-G-81, college: Xavier) lead Montepaschi at this time with nine points, while Tau was lead by Pete Mickeal, who added extra seven consecutive points. The first significant lead was after Nigerian Benjamin Eze (207-C/F-81, college: S.Idaho JC)'s dunk, when Montepaschi was 61-55 ahead. Tau quickly responded and tied the game and the score was 61-61 at the close of the third quarter.
The fourth quarter was very defensive and finally Lavrinovic finally scored the first points with the dunk, which was immediately repeated by Tiago Splitter (211-C/F-85, agency: Interperformances)'s dunk at the other side of the court. During the next phase of the game the referees let the game get a little too physical and almost out of control with both teams picking up a lot of fouls, many free throws and ...no team was able to get bigger than two point lead.
Pablo Prigioni did a very good job stopping the best Montepaschi player of the semifinal game - Terrell McIntyre (175-G-77, college: Clemson). Splitter found the rhythm and was scoring the most of Tau's points in the fourth quarter.
Three minutes before the end of the game it was still 76-75 for Siena and it looked like it would be a very close game until the last seconds.
With just one minute left Siena's Shaun Stonerook (203-F/C-77, college: Ohio) missed a three pointer with a one point led for Tau.
The Spanish immediately took a time out with 50 seconds before the end of the game. Tau lossed the ball and Montepaschi had only a few seconds to score.
With five seconds left in the game (79-78 for Tau) McIntyre missed a three pointer.
Luckily Lavrinovic got fouled and made one out of two free throws and tied the game 79-79.
Tau took another time out with a few seconds left in the contest and once the game resumed the ball was passed to Zoran Planinic (198-G-82), he droved to the basket, but the wall made of Sato and Stonerook stopped him from scoring the winning basket. The game went to overtime.
In overtime McIntyre got fouled while attempting a three pointer and made all of his free throws bringing a 82-79 lead for Siena.
Rakocevic finally woked up and scored two points for Tau on a fast break cutting Siena's lead to just one point. Another two successful free throws by Siena changed the result to 84-81 for Montepaschi.
Mickeal made only one of two free throws and Siena kept a two point lead with three minutes left on the clock. McIntyre lost the ball and Singleton's three pointer gave the first overtime lead to Tau with just two minutes to go.
Lavrinovic repeated making two free throws on the other side of the court and Siena kept a two point margin.
Tau lost another ball and fouled Stonerook who made one out of two free throws slightly increasing Montepaschi's lead to three points.
Tau's Singleton missed a shot and Macedonian Vlado Ilievski (190-G-80, agency: World Sport Agency) got another two points from a fast break bringing Siena's lead to 90-85 just 59 seconds till the end of the game.
Rakocevic missed a shot and Stonerook replied with another three pointer giving the Siena team 8 point lead.
Teletovic hit a three pointer and fouled McIntyre with a few seconds left.
Singleton made another 3 pointer and Siena's Lavrinovic scored two for Montepaschi. Teletovic got fouled with four seconds left in the game and his two free throws did not help to change the score much as Montepaschi won the third place with 97-93 final score.
Montepaschi went crazy.
As soon as the game was over they started cheering for ...CSKA as the prediction of upcoming final game between CSKA Moscow and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Latvian Basketball League
Semi-finals (best of five)
BK Ventspils - ASK Riga 77-91 (26-32; 13-15; 18-30; 20-14), series 0-1
Akingbala 15, Baxter 11; Gatis Jahovics (200-F-84) 18+9reb+6as, Vecvagars 17, Grafs 14, Broyles 14, Millage 11
Barons/LMT - VEF Riga 92-70 (21-15; 24-17; 25-24; 22-14), series 1-0
Batista 16+7reb, Adomaitis 12, Alexander 11, Jefferson 11, Berzins 11, Skele 10; Gulbis 17, Kolesnikov 13+8reb, Jeromanovs 12, Zakis 12
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With a strange one-month delay, the Premier Basketball League announced the 2008 PBL MVP and All-League Teams. The list is as follows:
PBL Most Valuable Player: Jeremy Bell (6'0''-G-83, college: Williams Baptist) (6'0''-G-83, college: Williams Baptist), Arkansas Impact
PBL Playoff Most Valuable Player: Keith Friel (6'4''-G-77, college: Virginia), Rochester Razorsharks
PBL Coach of the Year: Rod Baker , Rochester Razorsharks
PBL First Team:
Player Pos Ht College 2007-08 Stats
Jeremy Bell, Arkansas G 6'1' Williams Baptist 23.0 ppg, League MVP
Tayron Thomas (6'3''-G, college: Philadelphia), Reading 17.4 ppg, 5.7 apg
James Reaves (6'8''-F-82, college: Niagara), Rochester 14.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg
Frank Richards (6'2''-G-82, college: Kansas St.), Rockford 17.1 ppg, 37 steals
Bobby Anderson (6'6''-G-79, college: Independence CC), Quad City 18.2 ppg, 9.4 rpg
PBL Second Team:
Player Pos Ht College 2007-08 Stats
Stanley Thomas (6'3''-G-80, King HS (Ill.)), Chicago 20.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Anthony Lumpkin (6'1''-G-78, college: SW Oklahoma St.), Jacksonville 17.9 ppg, 5.1 apg
Ryan Edwards (6'5''-F-83, college: Missouri Baptist), Quad City 21.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg
Keith Friel, Rochester G 6'4' Virginia 16.5 ppg, Playoff MVP
Charles Ward (6'7''-F-79, college: St.Augustine), Wilmington 17.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg
PBL Third Team:
Player Pos Ht College 2007-08 Stats
Tyrone Davis (6'6''-G/F-79, college: Coahoma CC), Arkansas 17.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg
Randy Gill (6'2''-G-78, college: Bowie St.), Maryland 16.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg
Jared Mills (6'6''-F-81, college: Randolph-Macon), Reading 15.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg
Sammy Monroe (6'6''-F-85, college: Newberry), Rochester 15.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Reggie George (6'10''-C-85, college: Robert Morris), Rockford 15.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg
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After needing help to secure their spot in the final four, Al Arabi Club, behind the strong play of Lamar Grimes (182-G-83, college: Indiana St.), Baker Ahmad Mohammed (198-F-86) and Mohammed Al Derazi (192-F), overpowered an overconfident Al Rayyan team to win 107-92 and book their place in tonight's final. Al Arabi controlled the tempo from the get go and had their way all night against a non-existent Rayyan defense. Grimes punished them, going for 27 points, 8 assists and 2 steals, while Baker finished the game with 30 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. Al Derazi added 25 points and 8 rebounds for the victors. Credit also has to be given to Al Arabi's coach, David Ingram, as he had his team well prepared for this game and his players executed a great game plan. They will face Al Qadsia who beat Al Wasl 87-82. J Williams had a monstrous game scoring 35 points and registering 20 rebounds for Al Qadsia.
Al Rayyan will now face Al Wasl for 3rd place.
*
3rd-4th Place Game
Al Rayyan vs Al Wasl (1700 KSA)
*Championship Game
Al Arabi Club vs Al Qadsia (1900 KSA)
Similarly like in previous seasons, also this year Eurobasket has live coverage from the most important European clubs event - Euroleague Final Four.
Final: Maccabi Tel-Aviv - CSKA Moscow 77-91 (21-22, 20-20, 16-21, 20-28)
Half of the arena was yellow as the Maccabi supporters were definitely the visible majority. CSKA support section was alot smaller, but they were joined by Montepaschi and Tau fans, who also cheered for the Russian team. Most of journalists predicted that CSKA would win the game as they more quality players on the paper, and at the beginning of the season not many predicted Maccabi making it to the Final Four. But after they changed the coach in the mid-season, they improved dramatically and made it all way to the Euroleague final.
Both of these teams are considered the the finest professional franchises in European basketball boosting annual budgets over $40 million dollars per season.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has won back to back Euroleague titles in the new millenium and CSKA has appered in the last six final fours.
CSKA powered their way to the Euroleague championship with a 91-71 victory and was lead by Trajan Langdon (192-G-76, college: Duke) 21 points, who mas named MVP of the Final Four.
The Russian team was a lot more disciplined on offense and Maccabi falter with a sluggish third quarter and individual play.
Maccabi's center Nikola Vujcic (211-C-78, agency: Interperformances) scored the first basket of the game. CSKA seemed to be a little pressed by the loud support of Maccabi fans which inspired the Yellows to a 5-0 lead.
CSKA's Trajan Langdon scored five points in a row cutting Maccabi's lead and Australian David Andersen (212-C-80) followed with a two pointer taking the first lead of the game for the Russian team.
Both teams got their rhythm while exchanging many baskets and CSKA opened up a small lead, but could not increase as both teams traded baskets like a good heavyweight fight.
Maccabi had a chance to knot the score but missed four consecutive free throws in a row. The first quarter ended with CSKA leading 22-21.
The second quarter started with a perfect play from both teams and the lead changed every few seconds.
Finally Maccabi made two turnovers and CSKA thanks to Matjaz Smodis (205-F-79) and his great inside game managed to get four point lead.
Maccabi took the time out but it did not help because they ended up loosing three out of the next four posessions and CSKA was more disciplined increasing the lead to seven points (38-31).
Maccabi's American Will Bynum (180-G-83, agency: Priority Sports, college: Georgia Tech) took charge and scored two consecutive baskets cutting the CSKA lead to just three points.
Maccabi took another time out then David Bluthenthal (201-F-80, college: USC)'s three pointer tied the game. CSKA took a one point advantage to the halftime break (42-41).
CSKA Moscow started the third quarter very focused and after two three pointers in a row, they increased the lead to seven points. J.R. Holden (185-G-76, college: Bucknell) and David Andersen was playing some good basketball during this time period.
Will Bynum on the other hand missed a couple of drives in a row and Maccabi suffered from too much one on one play and lost their composure.
Maccabi could not penatrate the strong defense of CSKA and the the Russian got the ball to their inside players increasing the lead to 9 points.
Three minutes before the end of the quarter Maccabi asked for the timeout but It did not help a lot and CSKA kept similar lead till the end of the quarter.
The fourth quarter started with CSKA playing very smart and controlled game. Maccabi's approach did not change too much and we could see the end coming soon. CSKA had a small fan contingent but was very loud considering their size compared to the Yellows and their fanatical supporters.
The Russian fans went crazy after Matjaz Smodis hit a three pointer giving CSKA fourteen point (71-57) lead. Maccabi took another timeout with the saame result.
The Russian team still controlled the game and was very successful defending the one-on-one play by the Israeli team.
Maccabi woke up exactly in the middle of the forth quarter, when they scored their first two baskets in this period.
CSKA took time out seeing the Yellows getting their rhythm. Maccabi was determined to change the result, but CSKA played very smart game and controlled the tempo of the contest.
Two and a half minutes before the end of the game Maccabi took its last time out since they had nothing to lose as the game was really over at this point.
At this time the security personnel already arrived on the court in a large number just to make sure they would have full control of the fans.
The final minutes belonged to Greek Theodoros Papaloukas (200-G-77, agency: Interperformances) and his Russian team. They had too mucch class to allow the victory slip out of their hands.
The Montepaschi fans who stayed to watch the final game after their team won 3rd place, started cheering in support of CSKA team, upcoming Euroleague champion.
It took CSKA 35 years to win the Euroleague title since it lifter the trophy in 1971, but won it twice in 2006 and now in 2008. It makes the Russian team the second most winning team in Euroleague history. Ettore Messina becomes the second most winning coach in Euroleague history with 4 titles, just behind Zeljko Obradovic with 6 titles.
As it was easy to predict, FMP did not have bigger problems ti defeat FC AXA Barcelona in the Euroleague junior tournament final winning it 80-70. FMP controlled the game from the first minutes, staying in comfortable distance thru the most of the game. But the real knock-out was middle of the last quarter, where they had two consecutive three pointers and then after fast break they were elready 20 points ahead. The last minutes were meanigless as FMP tried to keep the lead and they allowed even Barcelona players to get few extra points to shrink the distance to more reasonable 10 points. The FMP team was lead thru entire tournament by guard Andreja Milutinovic (199-G-90) (18 points and 8 rebounds tonight), center Dejan Musli (213-C-91) (25 points + 14 rebounds) and power forward Bojan Subotic (203-F/C-90) (21pts+8reb). AXA was lead by Bosnian Nihad Dedovic (196-F-90) who had 29 points andgrabbed 11 rebounds.
FMP junior team roster:
4 Anreja Milutinovic (199-G-90)
5 Aleksandar Ponjavic (194-F-91)
6 Ivan Zaric (191-G-91)
7 Bojan Subotic (204-F-90)
8 Marko Gacinovic (191-G-90)
9 Bogdan Jovanovic (206-C-91)
10 Nemanja Petrovic (188-G-90)
11 Nikola Vukasovic (190-G-91)
12 Svetozar Stamenkovic (202-F-90)
13 Nemanja Gudzic (195-F-90)
14 Branislav Dekic (206-C-91)
15 Dejan Musli (213-C-91)
Head coach: Vanja Gusa
Union Olimpija and Helios already clinched a spot in the A-1 League Play-Offs.
Helios easily defeated Elektra 91-72. Marijan Mance scored 21 points, Aljaz Janza 15, Alexei Lashkevich 14, Jack Ingram 11 and Dario Krejic 10. Zan Vrecko had 16 points for Elektra and Stefan Licartovsky and Drazen Bubnic 15 apiece.
Krka broke o four road game losing strek with a 83-81 win 83-81 over Slovan. Davor Marcelic scored 24 points and Jure Balazic (204-F-80) collecting a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Slovan trailed 37-54 early in third quarter but tied the score at 69. Enique Clemons netted 20 points and Simon Petrov and DeMarco Johnson 16 apice.
Koper shot 70 percent (23-of-33) for 2-points as defeated TCG Mercator 88-77. Sasa Mucic netted 25 points on shooting 5-of-6 for 3-pointers, Miha Cmer collected 17 points and 6 assists and Miha Markic had 16 points and 7 rebounds. TCG Mercator had 16 offensive rebounds. Primoz Skok posted 16 points and Dino Muric had 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Kraski zidar are relegated from A-1 League after they lost at Nova Gorica 71-81. Miha Kobe scored 18 points and Marko Meden added 15 while Habib Ademi led the home team with 20 points and 9 rebounds.
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KBL Office Must Receive Application form by
May 22nd, 2008.(Korea Time)
This is an invited-players-only pre-draft camp.
KBL will screen all the application documents at the beginning of
June and players that are invited for the pre-draft tryout will be informed in the middle of June.
Click Here For Application:
http://www.kbl.or.kr/english/english_01.asp
Any Questions Contact the KBL office at Bottom
Of The Application Or Contact coachross
Besiktas ColaTurka Istanbul now needs just one more game to reach the semifinals , after they beat Banvit Basketbol Kulb 85-81 on the 1st round of quarterfinals. Now they lead 2-0 against Banvit Basketbol Kulb on the quarterfinals. Besiktas ColaTurka Istanbul have won both of the 2 regular season meetings so they had the lead 1-0 before the match. Banvit Basketbol Kulb just tied the score once at last period and that was all they did. Besiktas ColaTurka Istanbul were affective at the 1st half and finished it 45-33 ahead. They continued scoring , mostly with Kaya Peker (207-C/F-80, agency: Court Side) (207-C/F-80, agency: Court Side) and the score was 66-55 when the last period was begining. Banvit Basketbol Kulb tied the score to 74-74 three minutes before the end . But that was all they did beacuse Besiktas ColaTurka Istanbul made a 11-0 fastbreak with baskets of Erkan Veyseloglu (200-F-83) (200-F-83), Predrag Drobnjak (212-F/C-75) and Christian Dalmau (194-G-77, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: Daytona Beach CC) . The score at the end was 85-81. Kaya Peker was man of the match with 21 points and 9 rebounds , while Joe Crispin (186-G-79, agency: Interperformances, college: Penn St.) scored 25 points for Banvit Basketbol Kulb.The other match will be played at the 7th of May and if Besiktas ColaTurka Istanbul wins they will reach semi-finals.
Beşiktaş Cola Turka(85): Christian Dalmau 7, Sinan Guler 4, Preston Shumpert 12, Onur Aydin 6, Predrag Drobnjak 11, Kaya Peker 21, Mehmet Yagmur (188-G-87) , Rick Apodaca 5, Sandro Nicevic 6, Erkan Veyseloglu 13
Banvit(81): Joe Crispin 25, Mike Jones 3, İnan Koc 10, Caner Topaloglu 5, Kenny Adeleke 8, mit Sonkol 15, Derya Yannier 2, Yunus Cankaya 8, Mutlu Demir 5
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Women News
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Famila Wuber Famila Wuber Schio won the third title in 4 years by defeating Phard Napoli Napoli 3-0 in the final series.
Game three was played in Famila Wuber Schio last saturday and Phard Napoli led the score for the first half, but in the third quarter Famila Wuber Schio placed a devastating break (21-2) that changed the face of the match and so Famila Wuber Schio could celebrate its title.
Best scorer of the match was Laura Macchi (187-F-79) (also 6 assist for her) but the three points shots scored by Raffaella Masciadri (185-F-80) had a great impact on the match.
Phard Napoli Napoli loses the 'scudetto' (the symbol of the winning team) with four players in double digit (Mauriello, Horasan, N'Dyaye and Horasan).
Schio finisched the playoff unbeaten defeating Germano Zama Faenza 2-0, Umana Reyer Venezia 2-0 and Phard Napoli 3-0
