EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 7/9/2008

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Men News

*****************************************************
  ABA   


Kentucky Mavericks fires Vincent Askew - by Eurobasket News
Former NBA star Vincent Askews stint with the newly formed Kentucky Mavericks lasted all of four days.

Askew and the Bowling Green-based Mavericks, one of the newest additions to the American Basketball Association, officially parted ways Saturday night. So the team, which is roughly two weeks old, is already looking for its third head coach. Mavericks president Jason Smith said Sunday that Russellvilles Otis Key - who will now serve as the Mavericks interim head coach - was originally named head coach before stepping aside for Askew.

Askew and Smith differ on the specifics of Askews departure. Smith claims Askew was fired, while Askew said he resigned.

Smith suggested finance was the main issue.

This is a first-year organization and we need to make a name for ourselves, and we cant do that if we dont have reliable or trustworthy employees, Smith said. Whether it be the front office, the dance team, the players - whatever, we have to be honest with each other.

We arent the Dallas Mavericks, were the Kentucky Mavericks. You cant expect me to buy your house, buy your car and pay your bills - its our first year and were trying to get established, and right now Im on a no-nonsense policy.

Askew maintains that he stepped down, saying that he decided it wasnt the best situation for him at this point in his career.

I have goals in basketball and I want to be somewhere more where I can teach the game, said Askew, who said he will now serve as general manager of the ABAs Los Angeles Push - a hiring the ABAs Web site announced Wednesday, the same day Askew told the Daily News he would coach the Mavericks.

They (the Mavericks) were all professionals, they were nice guys, but Im in a situation right now where I have to know in March or April that theyre going to be there - and Im sure they will - but thats just where Im coming from.

While Askew didnt agree with Smiths description of the parting, Askew also noted that money was involved.

Its not that Im greedy or anything, Askew said. But it was just one of those things where it needed to be a bit more, I have a family, a house and kids to think about also.
Smith said the Mavericks are working on a strict budget and simply could not afford to overspend on one part of the organization.

The Kentucky Mavericks didnt ask for a dime from the city, were not the baseball team, he said. We started from my finances and a business loan - a nice, nice business loan.

And Im not going to spend the whole thing on the coach; Im just not going to do it.

With Askew now out of the picture, Key - a former Russellville High School and Austin Peay player and a former player and coach with the Harlem Globetrotters - will serve as the teams head coach on an interim basis. Smith said the team is interviewing several coaching candidates, including Key, and hopes a decision will be reached by Friday, when the team also hopes to have its roster finalized.

The Mavericks are holding open tryouts from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily today through Wednesday at the Phil Moore Park Gymnasium. Smith said the Mavericks are still planning an introductory news conference Friday at the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation offices.

Were praying well have a new coach by (Friday) and were not going to leave coach Key out of this. Hell be part of the team and hes still in the running for the job, Smith said. We want to take the time from now until Friday to figure out exactly who this is going to be, and were going to do it right this time.
Courtesy of bgdailynews.com


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  ARGENTINA   


Juan Fernandez goes to Temple - by Facundo Iatzky
Young point guard Juan Manuel Fernandez (195-G-90) will play in Temple university the next season. Juan Manuel Fernandez is looked as the next Pepe Sanchez. Juan is son of Gustavo Fernandez, an ex-player who won several leagues in Argentina. Juan Manuel is training with the U18 national team right now and he played in Sportivo 9 de Julio the last season with good numbers. Juan Manuel is one of the best prospects of Argentinian basketball and he will travel to the USA the next month after he finishes to play with the national team.

Argentina U18 NT - by Facundo Iatzky
The CABB released the list of 12 players who will play the tournament of America 2008 qualyfing to World Championship U19 2009. The tournament will be played in Formosa from 14 to 18 of July.

Juan Manuel Fernandez (195-G-90)
Cristian Cortes (185-G-90)
Nicolas Laprovittola (193-G-90)
Edmundo Maximiliano Martin (198-G/F-90)
Matias Nocedal (193-G-90, agency: Interperformances)
Fabian Ramirez (197-F/G-90)
Mateo Gaynor (198-G-90)
Luciano Gonzalez (190-F-89)
Andres Landoni (205-C/F-90)
Lisandro Rasio (195-F/C-90)
Federico Glinberg (201-C-90)
Pablo Orlietti (206-C/F-90)

Head Coach: Enrique Tolcachier

The new of the preseason? - by Facundo Iatzky
Today it was announced that Federico Kammerichs (203-F-80) might be the new player of Regatas Corrientes. Federico has played in Europe the last seasons, but he would like to return to Argentina and specially to Corrientes, the place where he was born. 'yacare' is trainig in Rosario with the team wich is going to play the Olympic games In Beijing. Federico also had been selected in the NBA draft 2002 by Portland. Regatas looks for a very competitive team because they will be playing Liga A, Liga de Americas and Liga Sudamericana as defending champion. Alejandro Montecchia is very closer to play in Regatas too.

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  AUSTRALIA   


Croatia celebrates against the Boomers on Acropolis Cup - by Eurobasket News
Croatia - Australia 71:69

In the first game of 'Acropolis Cup' in Athens Croatia was better than Australia 71-69. Croatia ended the first stanza having advantage of 4 points. During the first 15 minutes of the game head coach of Croatian National Team, Jasmin Repesa, gave a chance to all his players. The reason for this was much better beginning of the second quarter by Australians. Mostly owing to Brad Newley (199-G-85), the Boomers quickly made 38-32. With five minutes remaining in the second period Repesa kept Kus, Popovic, Rozic, Prkacin and Markota on the court and these five guys made 16-0 run setting the score on 48-40. After the breather Australians once again demonstrated nice performance making 7-0 run. Marko Popovic (185-G-82, college: S.Idaho JC) of Croatia didn't want to give up and scoring his fourth triple stopped the Boomers on their way. After points by Nicevic, Kus and Tomas, Croatia once again grabbed bigger lead what was 60-51. Australians struggled a lot in third stanza shooting only 1 of 12 from behind the arc. However, the Boomers succeeded to come really close in the last frame but thanks to Davor Kus (190-G-78), who netted 3 of 4 FTs at the very end, Croatia kept small advantage. Croatia committed 23 turnovers in this game, 16 of them in the second half. They also let Australians to grab 22 offensive rebounds but at the end it was not enough for the Boomers.

Davor Kus and Marko Popovic led the winners scoring 16 points each. Sandro Nicevic (210-C-76, agency: Beo Basket) followed them adding 11 points. Australia got 12 points and 6 rebounds from Anstey while CJ Bruton (188-G-75, college: Indian Hills CC) stopped on 11 points. Brad Newley and Patrick Mills (178-G-88) delivered 11 points each.


Croatia - Australia 71:69
(24:20, 24:20, 12:13, 11:16)

Croatia: Kus 16, Popovic 16 (4 as), Nicevic 11, Prkacin 8, Tomas 6
Australia: Anstey 12, Bruton 11, Newley 10, Mills 10

Tigers inks Sam Mackinnon, Ebi Ere in Las Vegas - by Eurobasket News
Melbourne Tigers announced signing of Sam Mackinnon (197-F/G-76) on a 3-year contract. One of the best players in NBL during the previous five years spent last three seasons in Brisbane Bullets. He had 15 appearances at his last one with the Bullets averaging 14.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.1 apg and 1.3 spg. His team finished regular season on third place with score 20-10. Later the Bullets met Breakers in the quarterfinals beating them 106-89. At the next stage Mackinnon's new team Tigers knocked our Brisbane 2-0. Two seasons before Mackinnon was named to be the MVP of the NBL while the Bullets celebrated championship title. He had great 18.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg and 4.2 apg that season. Before Bullets, Sam Mackinnon used to play for Razorbacks and Crocodiles. He was a member of Australian National Team from 1996 to 2006.

Ebi Ere (195-G/F-81, college: Oklahoma), who spent previous season in Brisbane Bullets, will participate at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Ere had wonderful season with the Bullets. He was a top scorer of the competition with amazing 27.1 ppg. At the same time he also had 6.1 rpg, 2.1 apg and 1.8 spg in 29 games. He was named to be the import player of the year in NBL. Summer League in Las Vegas starts at July 11th and participants will be Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards. Ebi Ere is set to play for the Grizzlies.

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  AUSTRIA   


Tansfer news - by Stefan Heinrich
WBC Kraftwerk Wels announced today that the Canadian Guard Casey Archibald (193-G-84, agency: Pro Agents-Basketball Careers) will stay another season in the team of Raoul Korner . Last season Archibald averaged 11.3ppg, 3.3rpg while shooting 39.5 % from 3 point range.

Kapfenberg Bulls announced that their coaches Michael Schrittwieser and Midhat Kamenica will stay for 3 more seasons in Kapfenberg and after that they announced that Heinz Kugerl (211-C-86) will come back from St. Polten where he finished the second half of the season. Corey Hallett (208-F/C-84, college: Monmouth) recieved a new 2 year contract and also the Slovenian PG Damir Zeleznik (191-G-80, agency: Heinrich Sports) received a 2 year contract extension. Also Branimir Josipovic (204-F-81, agency: Court Side) will stay for another 2 seasons in Kapfenberg, while Ramiz Suljanovic (206-F/C-79, agency: R.H.Consultancy) and Samuel Knabl (204-C/F-82) do still have valid contracts with the Bulls.

Matthias Fischer named Head Coach at Worthersee - by Cueneyt Tuerk
Matthias Fischer has been selected as the head men's basketball coach at kelag Worthersee Piraten. Fischer, 37, comes to Klagenfurt as its second head coach after Black Star Mersch in Luxenbourg. Fischer worked before as ass.coach at Rhondorf, Brandt Hagen, Amicale Steinsel (Lux), RheinEnergie Koeln. Fischer also guided the german U20 and A2 national teams including the national team of luxenbourg the past season.

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  BOSNIA   


Bajramovic call 15 players for Bosnian National Team - by Elvir Halilovic
Head coach of Bosnian National Team, Mensur Bajramovic, decided which 15 players will play the Eurobasket 2009 qualifications. After first list with 22 candidats, Bosnian National Team stay without Dino Hodzic from Cibona, who will play for Junior National Team, also without Henry Domercant, Oliver Stevic, Mujo Tuljkovic, Vedran Princ and Ante Masic.
Coach Bajramovic called Ernest Bremer (Spartak), Nemanja Gordic (Buducnost), Aleksej Nesevic (Bosna ASA BHT?), Nihad Djedovic (Barcelona), Goran Ikonic (Bosna ASA BHT), Ivan Opacak (Murcia), Jasmin Hukic (Union Olimpija), Milan Milosevic (Sloboda Dita), Kenan Bajramovic (Kiev), Mirza Teletovic (Tau Ceramica), Damir Krupalija (Dijon), Edin Bavcic (Bosna ASA BHT), Elmedin Kikanovic (Crvena zvezda), Ermin Jazvin (Maroussi) and Dragan Tubak (Borac Cacak).
This players coming in Sarajevo at July 21TH, and three days later goes to Slovenia, to Rogaska Slatina. Friendly matches Bosnian National Team playing at Avgust: with Hungary in Cazin (5TH and 6TH), with Serbia in Belgrade (15TH) and two match with Montenegro (in Podgorica 12TH and in Sarajevo 22TH). Last check is on Tournament in Turkey (28TH to 30TH).
Qualifications for Eurobasket 2009 in Poland will start on September third:
1TH round ( September 3TH): Czech Republic - BiH (Match started at 18:00 CET); 2ND round (September 6TH): BiH - Israel (20:00), 3TH round (September 10TH); Great Britain - BiH (19:30), 4TH round (September 13TH): BiH - Czech Republic (20:00), 5TH round (September 17TH): Israel - BiH (18:00), 6TH round (September 20TH): BiH - Great Britain (20:00).

EuroChallenge - Borac in Ukraina, Siroki in Danmark - by Elvir Halilovic
Bosnian team in EuroChallenge, Borac Nektar from Banja Luka, in Qualifying Round 1 play against BC Polytechnic-Galychyna from Ukraina. Second bosnian team, Siroki Prima Pivo playing two matches with Svendborg Rabbits from Danmark. Both teams their matches playing in Octobar, 14TH and 21TH, and if they win in Qualifying Round 2 playing against winner from matches U-Mobitelco ROU Ewe Basket Oldenburg GER (Borac Nektar) and Energy Invest Rustavi GEO BC Sumykhimprom UKR (Siroki Prima Pivo).

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  BRAZIL   


Brazil loses the opener of Acropolis tournament - by Eurobasket News
Brazil-Greece 65:72

The 22nd International Tournament started in Athens, Greece with 4 teams participating. The home country hosts Croatia, Australia and Brazil. The latter lost the opener to the Greek side 65:72.
Brazil was not string enough in the beginning of the game trailing 15:21 after the opening quarter. Both coaches tried to make their best for their teams while also hiding whatever they could. Again Greece played better in the second quarter taking 41:33 advantage at the half time.
In the second half South Americans came back to the game and started to reduce time after time. Brazil finished the third period trailing only 53:56 and looked forward for the last stanza. The two teams were close at the score until two minutes before the end of the game. Greece however went on a 8-0 run at that time and won its first game at the tournament. Antonis Fotsis (210-F-81) paced all the winners with 19 points. Vasilis Spanoulis (193-G-82, agency: Beo Basket) netted 16, Ioannis Bourousis (212-C-83, agency: FCM) scored 10 and Panagotis Vasilopoulos (202-F-84, agency: FCM) nailed 9. Alex Garcia (191-G-80, agency: Interperformances) top-scored for Brazil with 15 points. Huertas and Tiago Splitter (211-C/F-85, agency: Interperformances) followed him with 12 points apiece.
In another game of the first day of the tournament, Croatia beat Australia 71:69. Tonight Brazil will face Croatia, while Greece will meet Australia.

Greece: Antonis Fotsis 19, Vasilis Spanoulis 16, Ioannis Bourousis 10, Panagotis Vasilopoulos 9
Brazil: Alex Garcia 15, Huertas 12, Tiago Splitter 12.

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  BULGARIA   


Antic in Lokomotiv Rostov - by Vladi Lazarova
Pero Antic (210-F-82, agency: Interperformances) is no longer a player of Lukoil Akademik. 210 cm tall Macedonian is leaving Bulgarian champion and National Cup holder and moving to Lokomotiv Rostov in Russian Superleague. 26-years old top European power forward wont continue to dress the jersey of 'The Students' anymore and will break one season before its expiration his contract with the club. On paper Antic supposed to stay a player of Lukoil till the summer of 2009. He has an option inside, which allows to cancel the deal and buy out his basketball rights.
The transfer was made official at the page of Lokomotiv Rostov this morning. He is becoming the second new addition of the team, after the experienced 32-years old point guard DeJuan Collins, who spent the last two years in Lithuanian Zalgiris in Euroleague. Head coach of Lokomotiv is also well known name Serbian Milan Minic. In 2003 he worked with Bulgarian Dimitar Anguelov in Greek Aris.
The rumours are that Antic agreed to fantastic financial conditions in Lokomotiv and they couldnt compare with any other option, which he had in front of his career till this moment.
Pero made 18,2 points per game and 9,1 rebounds per game in ULEB Cup last season after terrific start of the tournament.

Bulgarian passport for Pero as well - by Vladi Lazarova
Pero Antic (210-F-82, agency: Interperformances) is leaving Bulgaria with Bulgarian passport. The news, which are still under the table, are true and its a question of time to be officially announced for basketball fans in the country and Europe. 26-years old Macedonian will become Bulgarian very soon and will take documents in a month, or two. They definitely will help him to continue his career with a statute of a player from EU. Antic will receive the passport, thanks to the great help of the president of Lukoil Akademik and one of the most powerful men in the country Mr Valentin Zlatev.
Pero becomes the second foreigner for who Zlatev is making this kind of gesture, after 222 cm tall American Priest Lamar Lauderdale in 2004. The center run away from Lukoil three seasons ago and now is playing in Chinese Summer league. Now Antic is following his steps out of the team and will fight for his future success with the jersey of Lokomotiv Rostov.
Another player of 'The Students' and also Macedonian Riste Stefanov has also Bulgarian passport. He got it one year ago, but 198 cm tall guard applied for it in a standard procedure, leaning on Bulgarian relative connections in his family.

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  CAMEROON   


MAKON PASS AWAY - by Gilles Bouwe
MAKON JEAN MAGLOIRE passs away. MAKON JEAN MAGLOIRE a well known coach in cameroon is dead he pass away yesterday afternoon after a brief illness.
This season he was the assistant coach of OLIO female basketball team after be the coach of several teams(Mercure,Noga,Phoenix...) . This is a very bad week for our basketball family who after MENGHE A NYAM have lose another menber. We have one thing to ask to GOD is to take their soul with him.

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  COLOMBIA   


Edgar Moreno back in Cocodrilos - by Victor Garcia
Cocodrilos de Caracas wants to be back on the victory way and brings back Edgar Moreno (63' G - UTEP), Moreno just leaded the Colombian National Team in the Southamerican Championship of Puerto Montt, while averaged 20 PPG, 3 RPG and 4 APG, Moreno also averaged a career high 45% beyond the arc.
Cocodrilos in this way tries to put togoether again almost the same team of the last season, in the last season Moreno averaged 14 PPG, 4 RPG and 4 APG with Cocodrilos as its starting PG, and was named to the Venezuelas LPB ALL STAR

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  CROATIA   


First signing for Split this summer - by Eurobasket News
The most pleasant surprise of the year in Croatian A1 league, Split, signed the first new player for season 08/09. After leaving of Damjan Rudez and Dejan Ivanov, Split announced signing of Sinisa Stemberger (195-G-79), ex player of Siroki Prima pivo. Stemberger is a player with nice experience from Adriatic league and what is very important because of rules for imports he is the player from Croatia. He had 26 appearances for Siorki in Adriatic league previous season averaging 12.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.8 apg and 1.0 spg. His team won National Cup of Bosnia and Herzegovina last season while they lost in the play-off semifinals against Igokea Partizan. Stemberger participated at Adriatic league All-Star game and he got award 'All-Adriatic League Honorable Mention' by Eurobasket.com. At his first season in Siroki Prima pivo the team grabbed title in Bosnia. That year Stemberger had almost the same digits in Adriatic league as it was last season. Before Siroki he used to play for Zadar and Rijeka. As a player of Zadar he won championship title of Croatia as well as National Cup in 2005.

Meanwhile, Croatian U18 National Team looks forward to European Championship in Greece, which will be held from July 25th to August 3rd. Head coach of U18 National Team, Vlado Vanjak, will lead the team on tournament in Spain, what will be the last part of the preparations for EC. Their rivals in Spain will be the host team, France and Germany.
Croatia is placed into Group D on European Championship in Greece. In the first round they will meet Latvia while their second opponent will be Bulgaria. In the last round, which is scheduled for July 27th, Croatia will play against Turkey.

Croatian A1 team Zagreb changed its name once again. Last season name of the team was Zagreb Crobenz but the contract with it sponsor expired so the name of the club will once again be Zagreb Croatia osiguranje.

Croatia celebrates against the Boomers on Acropolis Cup - by Eurobasket News
Croatia - Australia 71:69

In the first game of 'Acropolis Cup' in Athens Croatia was better than Australia 71-69. Croatia ended the first stanza having advantage of 4 points. During the first 15 minutes of the game head coach of Croatian National Team, Jasmin Repesa, gave a chance to all his players. The reason for this was much better beginning of the second quarter by Australians. Mostly owing to Brad Newley (199-G-85), the Boomers quickly made 38-32. With five minutes remaining in the second period Repesa kept Kus, Popovic, Rozic, Prkacin and Markota on the court and these five guys made 16-0 run setting the score on 48-40. After the breather Australians once again demonstrated nice performance making 7-0 run. Marko Popovic (185-G-82, college: S.Idaho JC) of Croatia didn't want to give up and scoring his fourth triple stopped the Boomers on their way. After points by Nicevic, Kus and Tomas, Croatia once again grabbed bigger lead what was 60-51. Australians struggled a lot in third stanza shooting only 1 of 12 from behind the arc. However, the Boomers succeeded to come really close in the last frame but thanks to Davor Kus (190-G-78), who netted 3 of 4 FTs at the very end, Croatia kept small advantage. Croatia committed 23 turnovers in this game, 16 of them in the second half. They also let Australians to grab 22 offensive rebounds but at the end it was not enough for the Boomers.

Davor Kus and Marko Popovic led the winners scoring 16 points each. Sandro Nicevic (210-C-76, agency: Beo Basket) followed them adding 11 points. Australia got 12 points and 6 rebounds from Anstey while CJ Bruton (188-G-75, college: Indian Hills CC) stopped on 11 points. Brad Newley and Patrick Mills (178-G-88) delivered 11 points each.


Croatia - Australia 71:69
(24:20, 24:20, 12:13, 11:16)

Croatia: Kus 16, Popovic 16 (4 as), Nicevic 11, Prkacin 8, Tomas 6
Australia: Anstey 12, Bruton 11, Newley 10, Mills 10

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  D-LEAGUE   


Notable Performances from Former D-Leaguers in Day 1 of Orlando Pro Summer League - by Surujh Roopnarine
Game 1: Indiana (95) vs. Oklahoma City (78)
OKC: Devin Green (6'7''-G-82, college: Hampton) (5p+4rb), Nick Lewis (6p), Ndudi Ebi (5p), Justin Williams (2p+2rb)
PACERS: Earl Calloway (6'3''-G-83, college: Indiana) (16p+4rb+7as), Stephen Graham (14p+5rb+3as), Courtney Sims (12p+4rb), Andre Emmett (15p)

Game 2: Chicago Bulls (70) vs. Miami HEAT (94)
HEAT: Kasib Powell (6'7''-F-81, college: Texas Tech) (15p+4rb), Stephane Lasme (10p+5rb+4bs)
BULLS: Keith Langford (6'4''-G/F-83, college: Kansas) (13p), Demetris Nichols (13p+5rb), Doug Thomas (0p+3rb+2st)

Game 3: Orlando Magic(74) vs. New Jersey Nets (86)
NETS: Will Conroy (6'2''-G-82, college: Washington) (3p+4as), Maurice Ager (4p), Julius Hodge (2p+5rb), Yuta Tabuse (4p+2rb), Anthony Tolliver (4p+2rb)
MAGIC: B.J. Elder (6'4''-G-82, college: Georgia Tech) (14p+2rb), Kevin Kruger (12p+4as), Justin Reed (6p+2as), James Augustine (2p+5rb)

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  EUROBASKET SUMMER LEAGUE   


Coaches from five continents follow ESL 2008 - by Eurobasket
The inauguration year of Eurobasket Summer League (combination of four summer camps) is already an extremely big success. The event management had to put higher criteria to admit the players to register as the event received much higher number of applications than available spots originally scheduled.
Also the events brought the coaches from five continents looking for the players to their teams. Just first two events attracted the coached from following countries: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Poland, Puerto Rico, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, Venezuela, USA (ABA, CBA, D-League, IBL, NCAA, TPBL, etc.)
The ESL attracted also over 30 basketball agents, who registered for this year camps. It's definitely one of the prime opportunities on this side of the ocean for the players to give them such big exposure.

Eurobasket Summer League (Las Vegas) Schedule - by Darryl Reshaw

The Eurobasket Summer in Las Vegas begins on Tuesday in Las Vegas at the Tarkanian Basketball Academy (2730 S. Rancho
Las Vegas, NV 89102) at 5:45pm.

The players will go through a 45 minute registration process from 5pm and begin working out at 5:45pm beginning with stretching and warm-up drills.
Afterwards the players will go from drill-station to station featuring professional coaches instructing each drill station.

On Tuesday: the players will scrimmage from 7pm until 8:45pm in twenty (20) minute segments on court one (1).
The other players will be practicing at the drill stations on court two (2) and rotate every twenty minutes in groups of ten.

9:00pm -9:30pm - Brussels (Practice on Court 1
9:00pm -9:30pm - Geneva (Practice on Court 2
9:30pm -10:00pm - Monaco (Practice Court 1)
9:30pm - 10:00pm - Venice (Practice Court 2)


On Wednesday: the players will begin stretching from 5:15pm -5:30pm and from 5:30pm - 6:15pm the players will do warm-up and other drills on both courts.

6:30PM: Brussels vs. Venice - Court 1 (Game 1)
8:00PM: Geneva vs. Monaco - Court 1 (Game 2)

6:30PM: Court 2 Geneva & Monaco (Half Court Practice)
8:00PM: Court 2 Brussels & Venice (Warm Down)


On Thursday: the players will have the same stretch and warm-up schedule as Tuesday.

6:30pm: (Championship Game) Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 - (Game 3)
8:00pm: (3rd Place Game) Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 - (Game 4)


Brussels:
First Last Age Height Weight Position 2007-08 Team Jersey Number
Bennet Davis Jr 24 6'9' 230 Forward Ironi Ramat Gan (Israel) 8
Aristide Sawadogo 24 7'1' 265 Center Iowa Energy - NBDL 11
Dshon Cannon 24 5'11' 155 Point Guard Cal State-Monterey Bay 12
Whitfield Holcomb-Faye23 6'2' 180 Guard Radford University 22
Reggie Huffman 25 6'7' 215 Forward Alabama-Birmingham 23
Tim Morris 22 6'4' 212 Guard Univeristy of Washington 25
Temi Soyebo 23 6'0' 170 Guard Sadd Spotrs Club (Oatar) 26
James Childs 28
Dan Fitzgerald 21 6'9' 225 Forward Marquette University 30
Phillip Scott 25 6'3' 205 Guard Prarie View A&M 31

Joseph Powell 23 5'11' 180 Guard William Penn 39

Geneva:
First Last Age Height Weight Position 2007-08 Team Jersey Number
Dedrick Bates 23 5'11' 191 Point Guard UC- Riverside - 2006-07 3
Tremaine Dalton 24 6'1 200 Guard University of St Mary 7
Bennett Davidson 32 6'8' 230 Forward AGOR Rethymno -Greece 9
Derrick Franklin 26 6'10' 230 Forward Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) 13
Chris Brooks 26 6'4' 205 Guard Florida Southern 15
Joe Frazier 25 6'4' 185 Guard Santa Barbara (IBL) 16
JJ Tauai 24 6'5' 210 Swing Bradley University 27
Chad Bell 25 7'1' 270 Center Quebec City (ABA) 34
Ryan McBride 27 6'5' 195 Swing Cal State Monterey Bay 36

Monaco:
First Last Age Height Weight Position 2007-08 Team Jersey Number
Glen Elliott 24 6'10' 260 Center Slask Wroclaw (Poland) 2
Lance Ortiz 23 6'0' 185 Guard Cal State- Bernardino 4
William Maupins 23 6'5' 210 Point Guard Great Falls (CBA) 6
Mario Brown 24 6'8' 240 Forward Bergheim Bandits-Germany 10
Tyler Franklin 22 6'1' 190 Guard Penn State - Altoona 14
Jeffrey Mayi 24 6'7' 215 Forward Manatee College 17
Larry Morinia 28 5'11' 185 Guard Osnabruck (Germany) 19
Pele Paelay 24 6'3' 205 Guard Great Falls (CBA) 20
Derrick Stevens 28 5'11' 185 Guard Colorado 14ers (NBDL) 29

Venice:
First Last Age Height Weight Position 2007-08 Team Jersey Number
Travis Knight 32 7'0' 250 Forward NBA Vet, 7 yrs. 1
Zack Alvidrez 24 6'6' 220 Guard Cicero Cometas (ABA) 5
Alex Davenport 23 65 195 Guard Fort Hays State 35
Nate Green 32 6'8' 230 Forward Great Falls (CBA) 18
Ryan Read 22 6'2' 190 Guard Concordia University 21
Jermaine Dailey 21 6'7' 215 Forward Illinois-Chicago 24
Leonard Houston 22 6'3' 190 Guard Drake University 32
Kyle LaMonte 23 6'3 190 Guard William Carey 33

Rod Brown 29 6'0' 185 Guard Bruesa (Spain) 38



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  EUROCUP   


Draw of EuroCup Qualifying Round 1 - by Eurobasket News
First sixteen teams of EuroCup found out their opponents in the first Qualifying Round. The draw was held today in Berlin, Germany. Russian Triumph and Unics will meet Base BC Oostende and Energa Czarni respectively. Other countries are represented by one team in this stage and will have BC Siauliai featuring Galatasaray, My Guide Amsterdam - BC FMP Zeleznik, Basket Swans- Tartu Rock. Panellionios will play against Telekom Baskets, while Benetton Olympic will take on Benetton. ASK Riga will struggle versus Cholet Basket. The season will start on October 14th.

EuroCup Qualifying Round 1
BC Siauliai -Galatasaray
My Guide Amsterdam - BC FMP Zeleznik
Energa Czarni - UNICS
Basket Swans- Tartu Rock
Panellionios- Telekom Baskets
BC Triumph Lyubertsy -Base BC Oostende
Benetton Olympic - Benetton
ASK Riga -Cholet Basket

Superleague teams' headquarters' draw comments - by Alexander Muzyka

Borys Maletskiy (Azovmash vice-president):
(Lietuvos Rytas, Lyon-Villeurbanne, Azovmash, Benetton T/Benetton F - Gran Canaria winner)
'We're lucky with a draw - comparing to previous seasons. So we're satisfied about the results. We were afraid about Russian teams known as a home ones - and we won't face 'em. We've inked the best players for being the favorites. I'm sure we can beat each of the opponents and we'll try to prove that'.

Vitali Khomenko (BC Kyiv general manager):
(BC Kyiv - Telekom/Panellinios winner)
'I can't say we were lucky in a draw but I don't think we were unlucky, too. We can pass the winner of that pair. We would like to play vs Telekom but I think we'll face Panellinios Athens where ex-BC Kyiv players Damir Rancic and Milan Dozet have played. We'll have a difficult season if we step to regular season. Aris and Turk Telekom are very strong teams and Bnei Hasharon is really unknown team to everybody. But this draw is not so bad for us'.

Volodymyr Poliakh (MBC Mykolaiv head coach):
(Skyliners - MBC Mykolaiv)
'We hoped to face somebody from Bosnia or Macedonia. But now we have ex-ULEB team as an opponent. We're seriously unlucky. But I promise we will fight and make everything for a win'.

Valentin Voronin (Politekhnika-Halychyna head coach):
(Politekhnika-Halychyna - Borac)
'I know nothing about Borac - maybe we're lucky? Now I'll phone to my friends for information'.

Kyrylo Pohostynskyi (Cherkasy Monkeys manager):
(Cherkasy Monkeys - BC Samara)
'There were the times we were stronger than BC Samara so why shouldn't we win over them once again? We were ready to face Russians and I can say we are strong enough to step to the next round'.


By basket.com.ua


* Eurobasket.com recommends mass-media to note the fibaeurope.com mistakes in Ukrainian EuroChallenge participants' names: MBC Mykolaiv and Politekhnika (correct)



*****************************************************
  EUROCUP   


ASVEL recruit Eric Campbell - by Maxime Lory
The semi-finalist of the french championship, Adecco ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne add the american forward, Eric Campbell (199-F-76, agency: SportsTalent, college: Spring Hill) to his roster. He'll meet again Vincent Collet, who coached him 2 years ago in Le Mans. This year, he played in Israel, at Hapoel Holon, where he won the championship versus Maccabi Tel Aviv. He posted 11,5pts and grabbed 8rbs in Israeli Premier League. It's the third addition for Adecco ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne after Ben Dewar and Ali Traore.

*****************************************************
  EUROCUP CHALLENGE   


Berlin names Eurochallenge pairs - by Eurobasket News
FIBA Europe's new competition EuroChallenge is set up. Today the teams found out their opponents in the first qualifying round. The draw was held in Berlin, Germany as well as EuroCup and Euroleague draws. The winner and runner-up of EuroChallenge will earn the right to play in the EuroCup next season. Eight teams qualified directly to the first qualifying round. Dexia Mons-Hainaut (Belgium), Keravnos (Cyprus), Kalev (Estonia), Larissa (Greece), Virtus Bologna (Italy), Ventspils (Latvia), Lokomotiv Rostov (Russia) and Khimik (Ukraine) will wait for their opponents. The season will be open on October 21st.

EuroChallenge Qualifying Round 1

Cherkaski Mavpy - CSK-VVS
BK Prostejov -KK Zagreb
BC Amak S.P. - Zlatorog
CSU Asesoft Ploiesti -Spartak
U-Mobitelco -EWE Baskets
Svendborg Rabbits - CBC Siroki
KK Borac Nektar -BC Polytechnica
MBC Nikolaev - D. Bank Skyliners
Energy Invest Rustavi -BC Sumykhimprom
Spartak - Antalya Basket
Aspis Apoel -J.A. Vichy Auvergne
CSU Atlassib - Banvit BC
Cedevita - Hyeres Toulon Var
Krmend - EiffelTowers Den Bosch
BC Donetsk - Proteas EKA AEL
Bakken Bears - Liege Basket



*****************************************************
  EUROLEAGUE   


Should Euroleague name be changed to Mediterranean League? - by Eurobasket
ULEB is responsible for organizing the most important European basketball competition for clubs - Euroleague.
We have to congratulate ULEB for their effort of raising basketball level in Europe and top Euroleague teams can easily challenge quite few NBA teams (just figure why there is no more McDonald World Club Championships, which ended as soon as NBA teams started having tough time to win it).
But we are far from cheering to anything we were told and see only positives.
There criteria ULEB uses to qualify teams to Euroleague are questioned a lot.
Who won last year Euroleague - Russian CSKA Moscow, while none of Final Four host Spanish did not qualify to the final.
As result we have this year again single club from Russia, while ...five teams from Spain.
Do not you find it interesting that Euroleague is run by ULEB, which is located ...in Spain?
There is one more interesting aspect of Euroleague 2008-09. Should the name be changed to Mediterranean League.
Common, out of 24 teams, only 4 (CSKA, Zalgiris, Prokom, ALBA) and are outside of Mediterranean Sea region.
Such tendency for choosing location of Euroleague teams is gvery questionable. It practically puts out of the basketball world lots of countries.
It's similar like NBA placing most of teams in California and allowing maybe 4-5 teams to be located outside of the sunny state just for the reason to call the league 'National', instead of 'Californian'.
Well, Americans did it smarter way as they allocated the teams across the country assuring to have equal access to top basketball to almost all of the states. We somehow missed that part in Europe and we gave up on the countries located outside of Mediterranean ring.
What happened to the clubs from Slovakia, United Kingdom, Finland, Sweden, Portugal, Belarus, Iceland, etc.?
They are not maybe the reachest clubs in Europe, but have very decent leagues with professional players and should have a chance to participate in one of European cups.
They used to do it in the past and somehow there is no more place for them in European clubs competitions.
Are they still part of European basketball as I know.
Maybe ULEB / FIBA would like them to create their own Euro-Small Countries Cup, so they do not have to worry any more about organizing all-Euro cup and can focus onyl on the countries with the highest budgets invested in basketball.
And it was such naive for me to hope that these intenational institutions are responsible for organizing European club competitions.
Unfortunately it's not the case and if you follow the history of European competitions, you will be surprised to see how it changes it's focus to smaller and smaller number of countries.

Opinions about the Euroleagues draw from the representatives of the Greek teams - by Kostas Papadopoulos
After the todays Euroleague's draw, the representatives of the Greek teams stated for the draw at Euroleague.net:
Panathinaikos' head coach Zeljko Obradovic : 'It's ok. It is clear, as we realized last season, that the Top 16 and the playoffs count more than the regular season, so we have to pay attention to every given game. Its too early to evaluate the teams, since they have not completed their rosters yet, but for Panathinaikos the target is always to be on the top, both in the domestic competitions and the Euroleague. We have a good team and I am optimistic that we can achieve our goals. I am also expecting to have a good atmosphere and a great support from our fans, in order to achieve the best possible results'.
Olympiakos' head coach Panagiotis Giannakis : 'Attention, concentration and patience are all we need in every game, so we can have good results. You can never say that a draw is good or bad, because it is something that will be decided at the end. We will play against experienced, but also against young teams and we have the right to make our dreams. All the teams want and will try hard to achieve their goals and we respect them a lot.'
Panionios' head coach Aleksandar Trifunovic : 'We cannot make predictions at this moment, since the rosters are still ongoing. Sure, we have a challenging group with great and traditional teams, such as CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid. Also Efes Pilsen is a big Euroleague name. Panionios returns to the Euroleague with the ambition to stay competitive and to fight for the best possible result every night. Our fans will enjoy great, games and big stars of international basketball.'
Panathinaikos' captain Fragiskos Alvertis (206-F-74, agency: FCM): 'Every draw has its own secrets and difficulties. There are not easy opponents in such a great competition, so all the opponents need attention and respect. We start the season with the same ambition: To win it all! Panathinaikos is ready to come up big in the Euroleague and to prove its potential.'
Olympiakos' general manager Christos Stravopoulos: 'First of all, the opponents are not that important at this point. Every opponent deserves the same attention and respect from Olympiakos. Our goal remains the same: to come back to Berlin for the Final Four. We are trying our best to have a competitive team. The competition system changed to become more exciting. It is a better situation for everybody. Having best-of-five playoffs is an improvement and this should be a great Euroleague season for everybody.'
Finally, Panathinaikos' general manager Manos Papadopoulos: 'I think there isn't a good draw or bad draw for us, because it doesn't make a difference. We have to start playing hard and winning games from the very beginning and our main goal is to make it to the Final Four. We have to play against strong teams from the very beginning, we already knew about that. The competition system has changed to be better, I think. It is a logical change, it is normal. Before, we had to think about the best sixth-placed team, or things like the best second-ranked team in the first level of the Top 16 Draw. Everything was very confusing for everybody but now everything is clear. Of course, our target is to win the Final Four, so what can we add? We know that there are very strong teams out there, but I only care for my team. If we are strong at the right moment, we can get to the Final Four and eventually win the Euroleague title.'

Euroleague draw 2008/09 ! - by Dragan Jankovski
Draw for Euroleague regular season was held today in Berlin. 24 teams are divided into four groups while each group counts six teams. Below are the results of the Euroleague draw.


EUROLEAGUE 2008/09 REGULAR SEASON DRAW

Group A
Maccabi Electra
Olympiacos
Unicaja
Cibona
Le Mans
Avellino


Group B
Montepaschi
FC Barcelona
Panathinaikos
Zalgiris
Prokom Trefl
SLUC Nancy


Group C
Tau Ceramica
Fenerbahce Ulker
Virtus Roma
Olimpija
DKV Joventut
Alba Berlin


Group D
CSKA Moscow
Partizan
Real Madrid
Efes Pilsen
AJ Milano
Panionios

The season will tip-off at the Fernando Buesa Arena in Vitoria, Spain, where Tau Ceramica will host the competition's traditional opening game on October 20. The other 22 teams will begin their seasons the same week, on Wednesday, October 22 and Thursday, October 23. The regular season concludes on January 15, to be followed by the Top 16 (January 28 to March 12) and the expanded best-of-five Quarterfinal Playoffs (March 24 to April 8). The season culminates at the 2009 Final Four, to be held May 1 to 3 at the O2 World in Berlin, with the crowning of a Euroleague champion. (Courtesy of Euroleague.net)



*****************************************************
  FRANCE   


French National Team 2008 - by Eurobasket
#s#
#e#6


Gomis


Diaw


Noah


Kirksay


Turiaf
The list of players invited to French National preparations on July 20th in Vichy was announced.
However it's not confirmed if all of these players will attend the camp.
Alexis Ajinca (215-C-88) of Hyeres-Toulon Var Basket
Pape Badiane (208-F/C-80) of Le Mans Sarthe Basket
Nicolas Batum (201-F-88) of Le Mans Sarthe Basket
Yannick Bokolo (189-G-85) of Le Mans Sarthe Basket
Stephen Brun (202-F-80) of BCM Gravelines Dunkerque Grand Littoral
Laurent Cazalon (195-G-79) of Chorale de Roanne Basket
Nando De Colo (202-G-87) of Cholet Basket
Mamoutou Diarra (200-F-80) of PAOK Marfin Thessaloniki (GRE)
Boris Diaw (203-F/C-82) of Phoenix Suns (USA)
Yakhouba Diawara (200-F-82) of Denver Nuggets (USA)
Thomas Dubiez (195-G-80) of BCM Gravelines Dunkerque Grand Littoral
Cedric Ferchaud (195-F-80) of Elan Bearnais Pau-Orthez
Sacha Giffa (195-F/G-77) of Strasbourg IG
William Gradit (197-F-82) of JA Vichy Val d'Allier Auvergne basket
Joseph Gomis (180-G-78) of C.B. Valladolid (ESP)
Dounia Issa (199-F-81) of JA Vichy Val d'Allier Auvergne basket
Aymeric Jeanneau (185-G-78) of Adecco ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne
Tariq Kirksay (199-F-79) of Unics Kazan (RUS)
Ian Mahinmi (206-F/C-86) of Austin Toros (USA)
Claude Marquis (201-F/C-80) of Cholet Basket
Joakim Noah (211-F/C-85) of Chicago Bulls (USA)
Marc-Antoine Pellin (171-G-87) of Chorale de Roanne Basket
Johan Petro (214-C-86) of Seattle Supersonics (USA)
William Soliman (203-F-80) of Chorale de Roanne Basket
Yohann Sangare (193-G-83) of Adecco ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne
Steed Tchicamboud (193-G-81) of Cholet Basket
Ronny Turiaf (208-C/F-83) of Los Angeles Lakers (USA)
Ludovic Vaty (206-F-88) of Moraine Valley CC (USA)
Head Coach: Michael Gomez
Assistants: Jean-Louis Borg of Vichy, Jacques Commeres

French U20 National Team celebrated in two friendly games - by Eurobasket News
French U20 National Team demonstrated nice performance at the last two friendly games against Latvia and Belgium. These games were played as a part of preparations for U20 European Championship, which will be held in Latvia from 1st to 10th of August. French rivals in Riga will be Russia, Slovenia and Serbia, which are all together placed in group D.
In the first game, which was played on Saturday, France smashed Latvians 97-66. Since the beginning France took control on their opponents. Latvians were not good enough to stop French players as five of them finished the game with double digits. Rodrigue Beaubois (186-G-88, agency: Court Side) paced the winners with 15 points. Abdoulaye M'Baye (189-G-88) and Ludovic Vaty (206-F-88) delivered 13 points each while Edwin Jackson (191-G-89) had 11 points. The last player with double digits in France was Antoine Diot (192-G-89), who stopped on 10 points.
In game number two, which was played on Sunday, France registered an easy win over Belgium 101-60. As it was against Latvia, French players opened the game strongly. After first half they were very close to advantage of 20 points. Rodrigue Beaubois once again was the best scorer of his team with 16 points. Adrien Moerman (203-F/C-88) was behind him nailing 13 points.

France finished previous European Championship on ninth position. They were placed in group A at the first stage ending it as a third ranked team. Its rivals at the begging were Hungary, Serbia and Slovenia. Later, at the next stage France played against Russia, Turkey and Lithuania finishing competition of fifth place in Group E without any chance for the semifinals.

*****************************************************
  FYR MACEDONIA   


News from U20 National Team, Antic plays on NBA Summer League - by Eurobasket News
FYROM U20 National Team prepares for the European Championship division B which will take a place in Romania. The team currently practices in Ohrid, where they will stay until July 10th. Next five days they will spend in Skopje while after what U20 NT will travel to international tournament in Bulgaria. Macedonians will meet the host team Bulgaria and most probably Israel, who did not officially confirm its participation yet. The name of the fourth National Team which will compete on this tournament will be known very soon. In interview for local media 'Makedonski Sport' head coach of U20 National Team, Emil Rajkovic , stated that he is satisfied with the first stage of preparations.
'We moved to Ohrid where we practice twice per day. We have a lot of time to finish this preparations right. After every practice I am getting a picture about capability of my players for the European Championship. I had to cut two of them so far - Apcev and Vukadinovic. It just means that we continue our work with 13 players but I will think about the possible reserves for in case if any problem shows up. We have three more weeks of a hard work are at the front of us - said Rajkovic.

In the meantime, Pero Antic (210-F-82, agency: Interperformances), who was a forward of the year in Bulgaria, goes to USA for the Orlando Pro Summer League. Antic will wear Magic's jersey with number 42. This mini Summer League started yesterday and it counts 6 teams. They are Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets and Oklahoma City. The competition will finish on July 11th.

*****************************************************
  GERMANY   


Ludwigsburg snaps up Domonic Jones - Mittmann leaves - by Moritz Korff
EnBW Ludwigsburg (1. Bundesliga) has clinched its first signing of the summer with the arrival of Domonic Jones (186-G-81, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Va Commonwealth). The 26 year-old spent a one-year spell at the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig and averaged 11.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists for his team. Before he moved to Braunschweig Jones played three years for BG Karlsruhe and was named to the Eurobasket.com German Bundesliga All-Defensive Team after the 2006-07 season.
Meanwhile, Nils Mittmann (201-F/C-79) wishes to leave Ludwigsburg. The 29-year-old German, who joined the team in 2005, did not accept the offered contract extension. Mittmann scored 4.9 points/game in 34 Bundesliga-appearances in this past season.

Jason Edwin moves from Paderborn to Venezuela - by Daniel Poerschke
Jason Edwin (196-G/F-81, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, college: Kent St.) signed a contract with Marinos de Anzoategui in Venezuela. The forward from the US Virgin Islands should help the team during its play-off run. In his first game Edwin scored 18 points in a win for his new club. Edwin spent last season with the Digibu Baskets Paderborn in the BBL and averaged 5.7ppg and 2.4rpg. Before that, he was one of the best players in the 2. Bundesliga with Schalke and he is a current national team player for the US Virgin Islands, whom he led in scoring at the 2007 FIBA Tournament of the Americans with 21.0ppg.

Je'Kel Foster heads back to Germany - by Moritz Korff
The EWE Baskets Oldenburg (1. Bundesliga) have agreed a deal to sign former Ludwigsburg player Je'Kel Foster (191-G-83, agency: Court Side, college: Ohio St.) from Paris-Levallois. Foster has accepted a one-year contract with Oldenburg. The 24-year-old graduate of Ohio State University (NCAA1) appeared in 30 encounters of the French Pro A-league in this past season. He scored 14.5 points, pulled down 3.4 rebounds, dished out 2.9 assists and snagged 2.4 steals per contest. Foster knows Bundesliga-basketball from the 2006-07 campaign, when he advanced to the Playoff-Semifinals with Ludwigsburg, averaged 13.2 points through 42 games and was named an All-Star.

*****************************************************
  GREECE   


Vasiljevic agreed with Kolossos - by Kostas Papadopoulos

Sasa Vasiljevic (183-G-79, agency: Beo Basket) agreed to continue his career in Greece but this time to play at Kolossos Rhodes for the next season. The ex-player of AEK Athens (6 points on average, 2 rebs and 4 assists on average last season), having seen the whole unstable situation in AEK, after its president left the team, decided to leave Athens. He agreed for one year with the team from Rhodes and will be at the island during this week in order to sign his contract.

It will certainly be a valuable solution for coach Giannis Sferopoulos and his new team.



Euroleague Draw for season 2008-2009 - by Kostas Papadopoulos
The Euroleague draw for the next season 2008-2009 was held some minutes before at Berlin. The four groups are:
Group A MACCABI ELECTRA TEL AVIV, OLYMPIACOS PIRAEUS, UNICAJA, CIBONA ZAGREB, LE MANS SARTHE BASKET, AVELLINO
Group B MONTEPASCHI SIENA, FC BARCELONA, PANATHINAIKOS ATHENS, ZALGIRIS KAUNAS, PROKOM TREFL SOPOT, SLUC NANCY BASKET
Group C TAU CERAMICA, FENERBAHCE ULKER ISTANBUL, VIRTUS ROMA, UNION OLIMPIJA LJUBLJANA, DKV JOVENTUT, ALBA BERLIN
Group D CSKA MOSCOW, PARTIZAN IGOKEA BELGRADE, REAL MADRID, EFES PILSEN ISTANBUL, ARMANI JEANS MILANO, PANIONIOS ON TELECOMS


The season will tip-off at the Fernando Buesa Arena in Vitoria, Spain, where Tau Ceramica will host the competitions traditional opening game on October 20. The other 22 teams will begin their seasons the same week, on Wednesday, October 22 and Thursday, October 23. The regular season concludes on January 15, to be followed by the Top 16 (January 28 to March 12) and the expanded best-of-five Quarterfinal Playoffs (March 24 to April 8). The season culminates at the 2009 Final Four, to be held May 1 to 3 at the O2 World in Berlin, with the crowning of a Euroleague champion.

Acropolis tournament:: Greece - Brazil 72-65 - by Kostas Papadopoulos

After a tough game the national team of Greece won the relative one of Brazil (72-65) for the first day of the Acropolis tournament that is held in Athens. Uner the consideration that the two teams will meet again next Wednesday for the third day of the FIBA Qualifying tournament for the Olympics, both coaches tried to make their best for their teams while also hiding whatever they could. Antonis Fotsis (210-F-81) performed better for Greece, with a great help from Vasilis Spanoulis (193-G-82, agency: Beo Basket) as well, while Tiago Splitter (211-C/F-85, agency: Interperformances) was the one that distinguished from Brazil.
The two teams was close at the score until two minutes before the end of the game but a 8-0 serie from Greece at that time gave the team its first win at the tournament.
Periods: 21-15, 41-33, 56-53, 72-65
Greece: Theodoros Papaloukas (200-G-77, agency: Interperformances) 4, Tsaldaris 2, Zisis 8 (1), Vasilis Spanoulis 16 (3), Panagotis Vasilopoulos (202-F-84, agency: FCM) 9 (2), Antonis Fotsis 19 (4), Perperoglou, Ioannis Bourousis (212-C-83, agency: FCM) 10 (1) (5 blocks), Tsartsaris, Printezis 2, Schortsianitis 2, Pelekanos.
Brazil: Machado 8 (2), Machado Eduardo 4, Beker, Prompst 8 (2), Ciantia, Huertas 12, Alex Garcia (191-G-80, agency: Interperformances) 15 (1), Araujo 2, Batista 2, Tavernari 2, Tiago Splitter 12.


At the other game of the first day of the tournament, Croatia won Australia 71-69



Opinions about the Euroleagues draw from the representatives of the Greek teams - by Kostas Papadopoulos
After the todays Euroleague's draw, the representatives of the Greek teams stated for the draw at Euroleague.net:
Panathinaikos' head coach Zeljko Obradovic : 'It's ok. It is clear, as we realized last season, that the Top 16 and the playoffs count more than the regular season, so we have to pay attention to every given game. Its too early to evaluate the teams, since they have not completed their rosters yet, but for Panathinaikos the target is always to be on the top, both in the domestic competitions and the Euroleague. We have a good team and I am optimistic that we can achieve our goals. I am also expecting to have a good atmosphere and a great support from our fans, in order to achieve the best possible results'.
Olympiakos' head coach Panagiotis Giannakis : 'Attention, concentration and patience are all we need in every game, so we can have good results. You can never say that a draw is good or bad, because it is something that will be decided at the end. We will play against experienced, but also against young teams and we have the right to make our dreams. All the teams want and will try hard to achieve their goals and we respect them a lot.'
Panionios' head coach Aleksandar Trifunovic : 'We cannot make predictions at this moment, since the rosters are still ongoing. Sure, we have a challenging group with great and traditional teams, such as CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid. Also Efes Pilsen is a big Euroleague name. Panionios returns to the Euroleague with the ambition to stay competitive and to fight for the best possible result every night. Our fans will enjoy great, games and big stars of international basketball.'
Panathinaikos' captain Fragiskos Alvertis (206-F-74, agency: FCM): 'Every draw has its own secrets and difficulties. There are not easy opponents in such a great competition, so all the opponents need attention and respect. We start the season with the same ambition: To win it all! Panathinaikos is ready to come up big in the Euroleague and to prove its potential.'
Olympiakos' general manager Christos Stravopoulos: 'First of all, the opponents are not that important at this point. Every opponent deserves the same attention and respect from Olympiakos. Our goal remains the same: to come back to Berlin for the Final Four. We are trying our best to have a competitive team. The competition system changed to become more exciting. It is a better situation for everybody. Having best-of-five playoffs is an improvement and this should be a great Euroleague season for everybody.'
Finally, Panathinaikos' general manager Manos Papadopoulos: 'I think there isn't a good draw or bad draw for us, because it doesn't make a difference. We have to start playing hard and winning games from the very beginning and our main goal is to make it to the Final Four. We have to play against strong teams from the very beginning, we already knew about that. The competition system has changed to be better, I think. It is a logical change, it is normal. Before, we had to think about the best sixth-placed team, or things like the best second-ranked team in the first level of the Top 16 Draw. Everything was very confusing for everybody but now everything is clear. Of course, our target is to win the Final Four, so what can we add? We know that there are very strong teams out there, but I only care for my team. If we are strong at the right moment, we can get to the Final Four and eventually win the Euroleague title.'

Sferopoulos: Kolossos is a big challenge in my career - by Kostas Papadopoulos
Eurobasket.com met Giannis Sferopoulos and took his first big interview after being the head coach of Kolossos Rhodes for the next season. He not only told us many interesting things about his future at Rhodes but he also made us some comments on both Olympiakos and the National Team and its possibilities to qualify to the Olympic Games of China.
Q: After your appearance as a head coach at PAOK some years ago (for some months 17 games in total), Kolossos is the first team in your career that offered you the chance to be a head coach, from the beginning of the season. What are your feelings? Any fears?
G.S.: Im very satisfied from the offer that Kolossos and the president Mr.Giannas made me to start from the beginning of the season as head coach. Its one step ahead for my career, after working as an assistant for big clubs like Olympiakos and PAOK for eleven seasons in a row. Its a big challenge to start in a very well organized team like Kolossos Rhodes. Both the team and I have the same ambitions to continue our steps forward to success! Of course there is no fear at all, because from one side the steps that Ive made already were very careful and from the other side the situation in the club gives the opportunity to work with high quality.

Q: What could we expect from your coaching Kolossos? Which are your goals and generally your philosophy when coaching?
G.S.: My first goal is to change the mentality of the team! As you know Kolossos last season, at his second appearance in the first league of Greek championship stayed in the league at the last gameday of the regular season. My target is to build a strong team, which will have the fighting spirit and the aggressiveness to fight all the games. Maybe we will lose a game but I want to lose it while fighting! A team that will play tough on defence and will run to the break, but also to take advantage of the talent of the players in offence.

Q: How difficult was it for you to accept Kolossos offer since Rhodes is far away from the capital?
G.S.: It wasnt difficult at all. The reputation of the club is very good, I felt and I feel ready to compete in the highest level of Greek basketball and even more; so the decision was easy. From the moment that they offered me the job the question was if I would stay as an assistant in Olympiakos or to start as head coach in Kolossos. I was and Im very thankful to Mr. Aggelopoulos that he brought me to Olympiakos, but I felt that it was the time for my start!

Q: Whats your opinion about basketball outside of the two big centres (Athens and Thessaloniki)? What actions should be taken in order to improve the quality both of the teams outside of these two big centres and basketball generally?
G.S.: First of all I think that the last couple of years, basketball in Thessaloniki is in a big crises! Iraklis is playing in second league, PAOK this year saved the season at the last gameday and Aris after two tears in Euroleague will play in ULEB Cup. Greek basketball needs strong teams in Thessaloniki and of course in the perimeter! The clubs must be organised better, to be supported from the local companies, sponsors and fans and to give conditions for the professional way. One more point is that we the coaches must trust more young Greek players. The combination of Greek with good foreign players will raise the level of the league even higher.

Q: What are your expectations from Kolossos fans and what could you promise them about the season coming?
G.S.: The funs of Kolossos are very fanatic and they create a great atmosphere at home games. They support and love the team a lot. I can promise them that I, the staff and the players will give our best to bring Kolossos in higher positions. They must be patient though! Kolossos is a completely new team, with many new players, new coach and that chemistry needs time to come together. Patience and believe: these are the words for our fans.

Q: You spent the last three seasons at Olympiakos as an assistant coach near to coaches Kazlauskas, Gershon and Giannakis. How would you describe your co-operation with them, your experiences and what did you get from each coach separately? How would it help you as a head coach, from now and then?
G.S.: I feel very lucky that I co-operated with so many good coaches and such big names, that all of them won big titles in their career. From all of them, I learnt a lot of things and I want to thank them for that! Ill use all the details and all the information that they gave me for my next coaching steps.

Q: Having been the one of the only two persons that remained at Olympiakos coaching staff after Gershon left and Giannakis came to the Reds, what would you say about this change and how did it help the team in order to change its whole profile until the Euroleagues play-offs and the A1s finals?
G.S.: Both of them succeed with deferent philosophy. Coach Giannakis is a more defensive coach, while coach Gershon is more offensive! The results that they have shown to all of us are that if you have a philosophy and you follow it you can reach the top! I also believe that the adjustment of the players was very good because of their quality.

Q: What is your opinion about Olympiakos recent transfers? Due to these transfers, some players, from last years team, will be released? Will Kolossos interest in bringing them at Rhodes?
G.S.: All the new transfers are very talented and experience of high level Euroleague games. I think that the team will be stronger this year. As for the players that theyll be released, of course some of them might be interesting for Kolossos and well see what will happen at the near future.

Q: Could you reveal us some names (players) that you would like to have at your team this year (or any interest already shown)?
G.S.: Its obvious that I cannot be so open at this period of the season, since we are in between negotiations. I can say now that the players that we signed till now are all targets that we believe that they will help us to succeed in our goals. Im glad that we signed them.

Q: During this summer, you taught at some campus in Greece. You already took part at a coaching seminar as well. Please tell us about this experience.
G.S.: It was the coachs seminar at Veroia where weve met many Greek coaches and had the clinic about basketball that we all love. It was a great experience for me, something new that I made for first time. To teach in a clinic for coaches! Unbelievable experience that I liked it a lot!

Q: Our last question will concern our National Team. Please make us a comment about its trial to qualify to the Olympic Games and what could we expect from its possible presence there. How would you react if coach Giannakis (or whoever other coach next years) ask you to join the National coaching staff? Is this one of your ambitions?
G.S.: First of all I think that coach Giannakis is a great coach and very successful. Thats why I believe that although Greek team changed a lot in its roster, finally it will qualify to the Olympic Games. As for the second part of your question, I can say that when the National Team calls you, youre obliged to go. Its the biggest honor for anybody! This is how I felt when I participated at the National Teams staff from 2001 till 2004 at the European Championships in Turkey (2001), in Sweden (2003) and of course at the Olympic Games in Athens.

*****************************************************
  HUNGARY   


Srdjan Helbich is the new center of ZTE KK - by Tamas Deri
The 32years old, 205 cm tall croatian big man signed a one-year deal with ZTE KK. Helbich spent the last season in Nyiregyhaza, where he averaged 15.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.2. steals and 0.7 blocks in 27.8 minutes per game. On the 12th of January 2008 he had a great game against his new club, as he was close to a double-double with 26 points and 8 rebounds. Helbich is a well known player in our country, his first team was FALCO KC during the season 2000-01. He played 9 games, averaged 17.2 points and 4.1 rebounds, but had to leave because of personal reasons. Two years later he signed with Debrecen, but got released after four games - 6.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. In August he will start to play for his 4th team in Hungary.

Kormend will meet the Eiffel Towers - by Tamas Deri
Today was the draw of all european cups in Berlin, Germany. The only one hungarian team which will play in any international competition, Kormend will play against dutch team Eiffel Towers Den Bosch in the first round of EuroChallenge.
The Dutch team won the national championship 14times already and has been playing in ULEB Cup in the last years. In 2006 they beat in a very exciting game Real Madrid in their own arena. They lost in the finals against MyGuide Amsterdam after 7 games.

They have already a great roster for the next season:
PG: Dean Oliver (180-G-78, college: Iowa), 30years old american guard, with NBA-experince (Golden State Warriors) and great european carreer (Geoplin Slovan, KK Zadar, Wroclaw, Den Bosch). He was the starting point guard of his team last season and averaged 8.5 points and 5.8 assists per game in the dutch championship.
SG: Taron Downey (186-G-83, college: Wake Forest), 25years old, 186 cm tall guard, graduated on famous Wake Forest University in 2005. Played in Holland for Weert in 2006-07 and averaged 16.7 points, 7.9 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game. He spent the last season with ALM Evreux in Pro B France und put up also great numbers: 15.7 points, 3.7 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game.
SG: Travis Young (184-G-79, agency: Interperformances, college: Marshall), 29years old, 184 cm tall shooting guard, who has been playing 7 season in Europe (6 in Holland). In 2004-05 as player of MPC Capitals he averaged 17.7 points 3.6 rebounds in 9 games of the ULEB Cup. He spent the last two season with Eiffel Towers and averaged 12.6 points in the ULEB Cup and 12.8 in the dutch championship last season.
SF: Fredericks Jos, 32years old, dutch small forward has been playing for 8 years for Den Bosch. He is a very good shooter, shot the three pointer with 42.9% in the season 2006-07.
SF: Kees Aberkom, 25years old, 199 cm tall, starting five forward signed a 4years deal with Den Bosch this summer. Averaged 11.0 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in the ULEB Cup last season. He shot the three pointers with 46% in 36 games of the dutch championship last season.
PF: Devonne Giles (203-F-83, agency: Worldwide Hoops, college: Texas Tech), 25years old, 203 cm tall power forward graduaton on Texas Tech University in 2005. He played already two seasons in Holland, in the season 2007-08 he averaged 15.5 points and 10.2 rebounds in 37 games as the starting five forward of West-Brabant. He signed a 2-years deal with Den Bosch this summer.
C: Aarts Marcel, 25years old, 212 cm tall dutch center, averaged 6.2 points and 4.0 reobounds per game in the ULEB Cup last season.
C: Sharone Wright (211-C-73, college: Clemson), 35years old, 211 cm tall american center, with experiecnes from all over the world. In 1994 he was drafted by the Sixers in the NBA, where he spent two season. In 2000 he got back to the league and got cut by the Timberwolves just before the season started. In Europe he played in Poland, Spain, Greece and Holland - for Den Bosch - but spent also some months in Korea and China. He played last season only 13 games for the Towers and averaged 2.2 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.
On the roster there are also three young dutch players: Djoeni Steenvoorde, Jeroen van Vugt and Joost Padberg.
Head Coach is 57years old american Randy Wiel, who worked in the NCAA and signed his first european contract Eiffel Towers in 2004. His assistant coach is Wierd Goedee, and also Sharone Wright is working as a personal center coach.

*****************************************************
  JAMAICA   


WBA semifinals are under way - by Eurobasket News
The Western Basketball Association enjoys the semifinal stage at the moment. The teams played two games in each of the series and no side was able to book the Finals ticket. The last season finalists Sav Hawks lost the first encounter against Hoopers 62:69. Nicholas Day led all scorers with 21 points. Neville Clare had 10 points and 12 boards, while Marlin Comrie added 8 points and 11 caroms for the winners. Maurice Rodriguez dropped 17 points and pulled down 16 boards in a losing effort.
However the Hawks answered with an 84:77 victory one day later. Kareem Hibbert nailed 27 points to propel the Hawks to the win and forcing the decisive third game. Maurice Rodriguez contributed 17 points and 16 boards in a win. Nicholas Day replied with 22 points for the Hoopers. Omar Taylor notched 14 points in defeat.
Avalanche and Jaguars also appeared all squared at 1-1 after two games. Dufton Shepard poured in 21 points as Avalanche held off Jaguars 84:74 in Game 1. Avalanche led by just two points before the final period but prevailed late in regulation. Oneil Clarke secured 17 points and 17 boards for the winners. Leroy Lawrence responded with 25 points and 12 boards in a loss.
Leroy Lawrence however tallied 20 points and 12 boards to carry Jaguars to a 75:68 victory on Sunday. Douglas Powell was helpful with 13 points.

*****************************************************
  LEBANON   


Vogel to miss Olympic Qualifying Tournament - by Eurobasket News
Lebanese star will not be able to help his team in Athens FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Joe Vogel (211-C-73, agency: Pro Management Agency, college: Colorado St.) was injured in Toronto during the first game of the Jack Donohue tournament against Canada and didn't participate in the remaining games.
Joe Vogel signed 5-years contract with Champville in 2003. He played the whole season with the team averaging 14.8ppg and 10rpg. In 2004-2005 he moved to Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut and remains there until now. In his first season Joe Vogel played 24 games and had 18.5ppg, 9.8rpg, 1.4apg. He was the best blocker making 2.6 blocks per game.
In 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 he averaged 15.3ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.2apg, 0.6spg, 1.9bpg. The last season saw Joe Vogel improving his stats as he spent 22 games averaging 17.0ppg, 8.7rpg, 1.9apg.
Joe Vogel latest achievemnets were the winner of WABA Club Championships this year and Asia-Basket.com All-Lebanese League 2nd Team.
Lebanon will head on Monday to Paris to continue its preparations with games against Cameron and Cape Verde before heading to Athens on the 12th for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.The Lebanese National Team will be joined in Paris by Brian Feghali, the team's second scorer and overall player.

Lebanon basket in the last friendly before the maturity of necessity in Athens - by Hassan Thini
The team left Canadian territory, heading to the French capital Paris, to participate in the session and has other international teams are located to Cameroon, Cape Verde, before exiting to the Greek capital of Athens to run the midst of the preliminaries to qualify for the supplementary Beijing Olympics. The players continue to Lebanon in their path without a player center Joseph Fogel, who renewed his injury in his back, which prevented him from playing with his team in the Olympics qualifiers, having gone from participating in the Canada, where it lost 3 matches.
The Lebanese team will play its first match on French territory tomorrow with Cape Verde, to continue competition in the session before it caused other teams to Athens on July 14 this month, of which there were 12 teams are Cameroon, Cape Verde (Africa), Puerto Rico, Brazil and Canada (on the continent America), Lebanon, South Korea (Asia), Germany, Greece, Croatia and Slovenia (continental Europe), a single team from the continent of Oceania is New Zealand. It will join three teams from those mentioned only to those which previously qualified for the Olympics and nine are: China (host country), Spain (world champion), Angola (African champion), the United States and Argentina (the hero of the continent of America, Runners-up toilet), Iran ( Asian champion), Russia, Lithuania (European Champion and Runner Up Bwalya), Australia (Oceania champion). It seems that the task of the Lebanese team in a difficult group, which was signed by rail, which includes Greece, ranked sixth globally as Aveba, Brazil and the 18, especially in light of the absence of a player in the team build a basic Joseph Fogel, note that the player will join his colleagues Brian Beshara at its current France, however, Lebanon, compared to the other participating teams, did not receive even a minimum of preparation.

*****************************************************
  LUXEMBOURG   


DBBL schedule for season 2008/09 - by Eurobasket News
Basketball Federation of Luxemburg officially announced schedule for the season 2008/09.


DBBL schedule for season 08/09

1st round / 10th round
4./5.10.2008 and 6./7.12.2008
Racing - Etzella
Sparta - Rsidence
T71 - Musel Pikes
Amicale - Contern
Heffingen - Black Star

2nd round / 11th round
11./12.10.2008 and 13./14.12.2008
Rsidence - Racing
Musel Pikes - Sparta
Contern - T71
Black Star - Amicale
Etzella - Heffingen

3rd round / 12th round
18./19.10.2008 and 20./21.12.2008
Racing - Musel Pikes
Sparta - Contern
T71 - Black Star
Amicale - Etzella
Heffingen - Rsidence

4th round / 13th round
25./26.10.2008 and 10./11.1.2009
Contern - Racing
Black Star - Sparta
Etzella - T71
Rsidence - Amicale
Musel Pikes - Heffingen

5th round / 14th round
31.10./2.11.2008 and 16.1.2009
Racing - Amicale
Sparta - Heffingen
T71 - Rsidence
Etzella - Black Star
Musel Pikes - Contern

6th round / 15th round
8./9.11.2008 and 18.1.2009
Heffingen - Racing
Sparta - Etzella
Amicale - T71
Rsidence - Musel Pikes
Contern - Black Star

7th round / 16th round
15./16.11.2008 and 24./25.1.2009
Racing - T71
Amicale - Sparta
Heffingen - Contern
Etzella - Rsidence
Black Star - Musel Pikes

8th round / 17th round
22./23.11.2008 and 31.1./1.2.2009
Sparta - Racing
T71 - Heffingen
Musel Pikes - Amicale
Contern - Etzella
Black Star - Rsidence

9th round / 18th round
29./30.11.2008 and 14./15.2.2009
Racing - Black Star
T71 - Sparta
Amicale - Heffingen
Etzella - Musel Pikes
Rsidence - Contern

*****************************************************
  MEXICO   


Leopardos win two games, the Finals go back to Playa del Carmen - by Gianni Pascucci
In the games played over the last weekend, Leopardos de Merida triumphed in Game 3, 88-80, despite a very good start of Dorados, with Harold Arceneaux (198-F-77, college: Weber St.) leading the way at 25 points. The day after, Dorados won Game 4, but Leopardos came out again from the corner, winning Game 5, 73-71, after that Dorados had won the first half 43-39. The aggregate result of the LSB Finals is now 3-2 for Dorados, the last two games of the series will be played in Playa del Carmen, Game 6 could be the decisive one and is scheduled for thursday night.

*****************************************************
  NBA   


Trail Blazers name Joe Prunty assistant coach - by Eurobasket News
The Portland Trail Blazers named Joe Prunty an assistant coach, it was announced today by general manager Kevin Pritchard.

Prunty spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks. Prior to his time in Dallas, he served for nine seasons with the San Antonio Spurs as assistant video coordinator, video coordinator, advance scout and most recently, assistant coach. During his time with the Spurs, the team won three NBA Championships.

'We couldn't be more thrilled to add a talented, hard-working and experienced individual like Joe to the organization,' said head coach Nate McMillan. 'He brings to us a blend of player development and basketball knowledge that will be a tremendous asset to the coaching staff.'

The Sunnyvale, Calif., native joins a Nate McMillan coaching staff that includes lead assistant coach Dean Demopoulos, assistant coach Monty Williams and assistant coach Maurice Lucas .

Prunty starts work immediately as the team prepares for the 2008 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Courtesy of oregonlive.com

Westbrook and D.J. White in Oklahoma, new assistant coach for Bobcats - by Eurobasket News
Oklahoma City announced signing of Russell Westbrook (6'3''-G-88) and D.J. White (6'9''-F-86).
Russell Westbrook currently plays for New Orleans Hornets at Orlando Summer League, which started yesterday. After his second year at UCLA he decided to make himself available for NBA draft. At the end it outcame as a very good move as he was a fourth pick of the first round chosen by Seattle Supersonics (now Oklahoma). At his last year in UCLA Westbrook had 39 appearances averaging 12.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.3 apg and 1.6 spg. He was named to be the 'All-Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year' while his team participated at NCAA Final Four. In the first game at Orlando Summer League Westbrook collected 18 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists.
D.J. White graduated at Indiana this year after what he was picked by Detroit Pistons. Very soon Pistons decided to trade him to Seattle Supersonics. He played 33 games for Indiana at his senior year adding 17.4 ppg, 10.3 rpg and 1.6 bpg. After graduation he had couple of pre-draft workouts with Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz.

Charlotte Bobcats named Herb Brown assistant coach. 72-year old Brown served as an assistant coach of Atlanta Hawks last three seasons. Before Atlanta he also used to work in Detroit, Portland, Philadelphia and many other teams and schools. Interesting is that Herb is an older brother of Larry Brown, current head coach of the Bobcats.

Orlando summer league opens with Chicago vs. Miami clash - by Eurobasket News
Michael Beasley (6'9''-F-89) scored 28 points in just 23 minutes of action leading the Heat past the Bulls 94:70. Michael Beasley put up a sizzling performance in the second half piling up 19 points. He also added 9 boards to his tally eclipsing both Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas for the Bulls. Both second year pros tried to guard Beasley throughout the action but neither had succeeded much. The #1 Draft pick Derrick Rose (6'4''-G-88) was much quieter for the Bulls. He finished the game with 10 points shooting 3/8 from the field. Rose also added 4 assists and 2 boards in 28 minutes of action. Demetris Nichols (6'8''-F-84, college: Syracuse) led the charge for the Bulls with 13 points. Kasib Powell (6'7''-F-81, agency: Court Side, college: Texas Tech) had 15 points for the Heat in a win.
The New Jersey Nets overcame the Orlando Magic 86:74 on the first day of the camp. Jaycee Carroll had 22 points and 7 boards for the Nets. Chris Douglas-Roberts (6'7''-G-87) netted 15 points, while Ryan Anderson secured 14 points for the winners. Derrick Byars (6'8''-G/F-84, college: Vanderbilt) answered with 15 points for the Magic. B.J. Elder had 14 points in defeat.
The Indiana Pacers prevailed against the New Orleans Hornets 95:78. Earl Calloway (6'3''-G-83, college: Indiana) dropped 16 points and dished out 7 assists in a win. Andre Emmett (6'5''-G/F-82, agency: Octagon, college: Texas Tech) nailed 15 points, while Stephen Graham (6'6''-G-82, college: Oklahoma St.) canned 14 for the winning side. Jeff Green (6'9''-F-86, college: Georgetown) answered with 21 points for the Hornets. Russell Westbrook (6'3''-G-88) was impressive with 18 points, 5 assists and 4 boards in a loss.

*****************************************************
  NEW ZEALAND   


New Zealand U18 drops to 0-3 in Australia - by Eurobasket News
New Zealand U18 National team could not gain their first win at the Australian U18 championship in Ballarat. They took on Queensland South yesterday and suffered the third straight defeat at the tournament. Winston Li led the Kiwis with 18 points but could not prevent the team from falling short 78:83 at the end. The Junior Tall Blacks were down by 2 points at the first intermission. Queensland South extended the advantage to 5 points at the interval and never looked back after the long break. Ethan Rusbatch scored 16 points for the Kiwis. James Holland had 14 points, while Tom Rowe (205-F-91) delivered 10 points and 6 boards in a losing case.

Polybank signs in Lausanne - by Kristian Santiago
Brendon Polyblank (197-G/F-78, college: Texas St.-San Marcos) inked a contract with Lausanne Morges Basket.
The Kiwi has also a British passport and has plenty of experience in Europe including earlier stints in Switzerland with BBC Monthey and Sion Herens Basket.
He averaged 17,6 ppg and 6,2 rpg for BBC Monthey in 2007/2008 and is all set to repeat his scoring output in Lausanne next season.

*****************************************************
  NIGERIA   


Ebi Ere at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas - by Eurobasket News
Member of Nigerian National Team Ebi Ere (195-G/F-81, college: Oklahoma) will participate at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas which starts on July 11th. It will be very strong contest as a big number of teams confirmed their participation: Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards. Ere had fantastic last season in Australia playing for Brisbane Bullets. He was the best scorer of the competition with wonderful 27.1 ppg. His team succeeded to reach play-off semifinals of NBL. In the past Ere already won two championship titles of Australia. First one he celebrated in 2004 with Sydney Kings while the other one he grabbed three years later with the Bullets.

Ere is set to play for the Memphis Grizzlies in Las Vegas Summer League.

*****************************************************
  OLYMPIC GAMES   


Acropolis tournament:: Greece - Brazil 72-65 - by Kostas Papadopoulos

After a tough game the national team of Greece won the relative one of Brazil (72-65) for the first day of the Acropolis tournament that is held in Athens. Uner the consideration that the two teams will meet again next Wednesday for the third day of the FIBA Qualifying tournament for the Olympics, both coaches tried to make their best for their teams while also hiding whatever they could. Antonis Fotsis (210-F-81) performed better for Greece, with a great help from Vasilis Spanoulis (193-G-82, agency: Beo Basket) as well, while Tiago Splitter (211-C/F-85, agency: Interperformances) was the one that distinguished from Brazil.
The two teams was close at the score until two minutes before the end of the game but a 8-0 serie from Greece at that time gave the team its first win at the tournament.
Periods: 21-15, 41-33, 56-53, 72-65
Greece: Theodoros Papaloukas (200-G-77, agency: Interperformances) 4, Tsaldaris 2, Zisis 8 (1), Vasilis Spanoulis 16 (3), Panagotis Vasilopoulos (202-F-84, agency: FCM) 9 (2), Antonis Fotsis 19 (4), Perperoglou, Ioannis Bourousis (212-C-83, agency: FCM) 10 (1) (5 blocks), Tsartsaris, Printezis 2, Schortsianitis 2, Pelekanos.
Brazil: Machado 8 (2), Machado Eduardo 4, Beker, Prompst 8 (2), Ciantia, Huertas 12, Alex Garcia (191-G-80, agency: Interperformances) 15 (1), Araujo 2, Batista 2, Tavernari 2, Tiago Splitter 12.


At the other game of the first day of the tournament, Croatia won Australia 71-69



*****************************************************
  PHILIPPINES   


Gigantic effort - by Benny Lirio
Six-foot-eleven behemoth Gregory Slaughter imposed his will in the shaded lane to lead the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers to
two quick wins in the 6th Asian University Basketball Championships (AUBC) at the Cebu Coliseum.

Last Saturday, Slaughter scattered 15 points to lead the Green Lancers to an 83-77 win over Koreas Hanyang University, 83-77.

On Sunday, Slaughter had another monster performance as he fired 29 points to carry UV to an 89-69 bashing of the Angeles University Foundation (AUF) Great Danes.

UV went exclusively to Slaughter in the fourth period, where the Fil-Am cager unloaded 11 points.

Slaughter sparked a 19-4 run bridging the third and fourth periods as UV zoomed to a 69-51 lead going into the final 7:33.

AUF did not make a field goal until the 6:57 mark of the fourth that hastened its downfall.

Although he scored just five points, Phil Mercader had his fair share of contribution through his hustle plays and terrific defensive job.

The game was marred by the ejection of UV's Junjun Lasala and AUF's Lemuel Manarang in the final 7:22.

The two were both ejected for unsportsmanlike behavior. AUF remained winless in two games.

BOX SCORES:
UV (89) - Slaughter 29, Villanil 15, Diputado 14, Lanete 9, Cincoflores 6, Mercader 5, Sendrijas 5, Lao 3, Dennison 2, Lasala 1.
AUF (69) - Mallari 19, Carney 16, Santos 9, Gomez 8, Mushi 6, Manarang 6, Mendoza 4, Dumlao 2, Bigana 2.
QUARTERSCORES: 12-11, 35-32, 64-51, 89-69.

CEBU DAILY NEWS/ C.Cordova


Standings - PBA Fiesta Conference
PBA Standings
1. Air21 12-6
2. Red Bull 11-7
3. Ginebra 10-8
4. Coca-Cola 10-8
5. Magnolia 10-8
6. Talk N Text 9-9
7. Alaska 9-9
8. Purefoods 8-10
9. Sta Lucia 7-11
10. Welcoat D. 4-14


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  POLAND   


Polish National Team 2008 - by Eurobasket
#s#
#e#6


Ignerski


Szubarga


Woloszyn


Gortat


Kitzinger
Michal Ignerski (205-F-80) of Cajasol Sevilla (ESP)
Krzysztof Szubarga (184-G-84) of Atlas Stal Ostrow Wielkopolski
Bartlomiej Woloszyn (197-F-86) of WTK Anwil Wloclawek
Marcin Gortat (213-C-84) of Orlando Magic (USA)
Iwo Kitzinger (188-G-85) of PGE Turow Zgorzelec
Przemyslaw Frasunkiewicz (202-G/F-79) of Energa Czarni Slupsk
Filip Dylewicz (202-F-80) of Prokom Trefl Sopot
Adam Wojcik (207-F-70) of Pierrel Capo d'Orlando (ITA)
Adam Lapeta (217-C-87) of Prokom Trefl Sopot
Pawel Kikowski (190-G-86) of Polpak Swiecie
Wojciech Szawarski (195-F-76) of Atlas Stal Ostrow Wielkopolski
Marcin Sroka (198-F-81) of Energa Czarni Slupsk
Radoslaw Hyzy (200-F-77) of ASCO Slask Wroclaw
Michal Chylinski (199-G-86) of Clinicas Rincon Axarqu­a (ESP)
Lukasz Koszarek (187-G-84) of WTK Anwil Wloclawek
Pawel Mroz (215-C-84) of ASCO Slask Wroclaw
Szymon Szewczyk (209-C-82) of Lokomotiv Rostov na Donu (RUS)
Head Coach: Muli Katzurin
Assistant: Radoslaw Czerniak

*****************************************************
  PUERTO RICO   


Team Puerto Rico rebounds with win over New Zealand - by Luis Ramirez
Coming off a loss against Greece the Puerto Rico National Team had a very good offensive 4th quarter to beat New Zealand 82-74. The game started with New Zealand taking the 1st quarter 18-12. The 2nd quarter also belonged to New Zealand as they were up at the end of the 1st half 36-29. In the 2nd half Team Puerto Rico started clicking on their offense and some good variations made by Coach Manuel Cintron proved to be the key as the Boricuas were able to cut the lead to just 1 point at the end of the 3rd quarter. In the 4th quarter with effective long range shooting from Larry Ayuso and Joel Jones Puerto Rico was able to take command of the game for good. For Puerto Rico, Jose Juan Barea scored 13 points followed by Larry Ayuso and Joel Jones with 12 points each. For New Zealand, Kirk Penney scored 24 points followed by Craig Bradshaw who had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Puerto Rico will now face Iran tomorrow who lost this afternoon against host Slovenia 96-71.

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  ROMANIA   


Tough opponents for romanian teams in EuroChallenge Cup - by Adrian Popa
CSU Asesoft Ploiesti, Univ Mobitelco Cluj Napoca and CSU Atlassib Sibiu will face tought opponents in the first round of EuroChallenge Cup. The draw took place today in Berlin and the romanian teams will have a difficult mission on the 14 and 21 of october, when the games of the first round will be played.
The romanian champions for fifth time in a row, CSU Asesoft Ploiesti will meet Spartak Sankt Petersburg, who finished 11th last season in Rusia, with a 5-19 record. Spartak St. Petersburg is the former team of the romanian national team captain, Virgil Stanescu, who last season played still in Russia for Unics Kazan.
Univ Mobitelco Cluj Napoca will face Ewe Basket Oldenburg, former team of another romanian international Bogdan Popescu. Ewe Baskets advanced last season to the semifinals of the 1. Bundesliga where they were eliminated by Alba Berlin with 3-1 in a best of five series.
CSU Atlassib Sibiu will play with Banvit BK from Turkey, a team who finished 8th in regular season and was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Besiktas Istanbul

*****************************************************
  RUSSIA   


Zavoruev changes the team - by Eurobasket News

Spartak St. Petersburg added Vasili Zavoruev (196-G-87) and Joseph Blair (208-C/F-74, college: Arizona) for the upcoming season.

Vasili Zavoruev started his career in CSKA in 2004-2005. First season in Superleague saw him averaging 3.1ppg, 1.1rpg. In 2005-2006 he improved to 3.6ppg, 1.3rpg for CSKA. In 2006 Vasili Zavoruev was re-signed with CSKA Moscow for 3 years and loaned to Standart Samara. He averaged 9.6ppg, 3.6rpg, 2.2apg, 1.0spg. In 2007-2008 Vasili went abroad and spent a season with Proteas EKA AEL Limassol in Cyprus. He participated in FIBA EuroCup playing 11 games and averaging 4.9ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.4apg. In Cypriot League after 9 games Zavoruev had 7.9ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.4apg, 1.0spg.

Joseph Blair spent two seasons in Italy starting in 2004. In his first season there for Armani Jeans Milano he played 43 games averaging 12.0ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.0apg, 1.6spg. In 2005-2006 he had 11 games in Euroleague and averaged 8.0ppg, 7.2rpg, 1.0apg.
In October 2007 signed with Chicago Bulls, left the same month, then joined Spartak Primorie Vladivostok. With his first Superleague team Joseph Blair spent 19 games and had 12.8ppg, 9.3rpg, 1.5apg. For his awards it is a must to mention Eurobasket.com All-Turkish League Center of the 2004 Year with his Ulker Istanbul.



Spartak St. Petersburg lands center Joesph Blair - by Eurobasket News
Spartak St. Petersburg announced signing of center Joseph Blair (208-C/F-74, college: Arizona), ex player of Spartak Promorie Vladivostok. He is the second player who joined Spartak this summer as the team already agreed terms with USA point guard Andrew Wisniewski. Blair is a very experienced center who joins Spartak Promorie at the beginning of the last season. He had 19 appearances in Russian Superleague averaging 12.8 ppg, 9.3 rpg and 1.5 apg. Actually he was the top rebounder of the competition last season. In October 2007 he agreed terms with NBA team Chicago Bulls but he spent just a few weeks there leaving the team before NBA officially started. Before Spartak Primorie and the Bulls, Blair spent two seasons in Armani Jeans Milano. During this period his team finished regular season on the second position reaching semifinals of Italian play-off in 2007. As it was the last season in Russia, Blair was one of the best rebounder for those two years in Italy. In the past he also had two very successful seasons with Ulker Istanbul. The team won two National Cups and was a regular season champion in 2003. At the same time Blair was named to be the 'Import player of the year' while next season who got the award 'Center of the year' in Turkey by Eurobaket.com.

Forward of Spartak St. Petersbug, Stanislav Sotnikov (200-F-85), underwent knee surgery. Sotnikov, who is a member of Spartak since 2005, will be out of the court for at least 6 months. He played 20 games in Russian Superleague last season adding 5.1 ppg and 2.1 rpg.

*****************************************************
  SEBL   


Standings
SEBL Standings
City B-East
 1. Summ.Hill BD 2-0 
 2. BC Howren 0-0 
 3. Polk Co. 0-1 
 4. BC Sixers 0-1 
 5. Owen FH 0-1 
City B-West
 1. BC Dalton 1-0 
 2. BC Knicks-2 1-0 
 3. Metro Tech 0-0 
 4. Rockmart 0-1 
 5. Cedart.B. II 0-1 
Metro A-North
 1. Cartersville W. 0-0 
 2. ServPro-1 0-0 
 3. BC Force 0-0 
 4. BC Celtics 0-0 
 5. BC Skyline 0-0 
 6. Supreme 0-0 
Metro A-South
 1. Black Monop 0-0 
 2. Speedboys 0-0 
 3. D.O.T.S. 0-0 
 4. Tri-County 0-0 
 5. BC Lakers 0-0 
 6. Young Gunz 0-0 


*****************************************************
  SERBIA   


Good news for Partizan but without 3-year contract with Euroleague - by Dragan Jankovski
From season 2009/10 Serbian representative in Euroleague won't be the champion of the country. Namely new Euroleague system is based on points which every team is Serbia collects over the past three years. This news is announced on Euroleague's assembly which was held yesterday in Berlin. The same system will also apply to Croatia and Slovenia. Any of these three countries could loose the license only in case that its representative register the worst results in Euroleague after three years.

This means that reining Serbian and Adriatic league champion didn't get three years contract which its management expected but anyway news from Berlin are very good for the Black-and-whites. Partizan had wonderful last two seasons what brought them a lot of points. Thus it is almost sure now that Partizan will participate in Euroleague 2009/10. Director of the club, Mladjan Silobad, stated that news from Berlin are pretty good.

'We are happy with the new system which Euroleague established. This is an open system which allows any team who is constantly showing good performance to earn a place in Euroleague. New season will also allow that teams like Partizan have one not so bright season what will not affect its Euroleague participation. I thing that all countries in Adriatic region are satisfied with this system. Olimpija is far away from its opponents in Slovenia while Cibona is in inconvenient situations as Zadar has just two points less at this moment' - said Silobad.

The winner of Adriatic league will get 15 points while the finalist of the competition will get 8. Champion of regular season will get the same number of points as a finalist. The winner of Serbian Superleague gets 5 points while the play-off finalist can count on 3 points. Currently Partizan Igokea collected 71 points while Hemofarm STADA and FMP are far away with 28 points.

Golubovic is solid on the begining of Summer league - by Zoran Popovic
Former player of Vojvodina Srbija Gas Novi Sad, Vladimir Golubovic (212-C-86), has solid role on the begining of NBA Summer league in Orlando. Indiana Pacers won the game against Oklahoma City 95-78 and Serbian player scored for 18 minutes 7 points and 8 rebounds. Golubovic wasnt selected on Draft last month, but he accepted invitation of Indiana Pacers for Summer league in Orlando. Serbian medias wrote last couple of days about his possible angagement in BC Partizan Igokea Beograd as a replacement for Nikola Pekovic. Vladimir Golubovic is candidate for Montenegro National team.

Tough group for Partizan Igokea in Euroleague 08/09 - by Dragan Jankovski

Draw for Euroleague regular season was held today in Berlin and Serbian champion Partizan Igokea is placed in maybe the strongest group of the competition. Black-and-white team will take a place in group D together with current European champions CSKA Moscow as well as with Real Madrd, Efes Pilsen, Armani Jeans and Panionios. Euroleague counts 24 teams divided in 4 groups. The best four teams from each group will qualify for the next stage - TOP 16. Thanks to very good performance from the last season Partizan Igokea was placed into the 'hat' number two before the draw but it seems that Partizan didn't have luck today. First phase of the competition will start in October 22nd while the last round is scheduled for January 15th, 2009. First games of the TOP 16 will be played in January 28th. After 12th of March it will be known which teams qualified for the quarterfinals. Final four will be played in Berlin from 1st to 3rd of May next year.

In short interview for Serbian media B92 head coach of Partizan Igokea, Dusko Vujosevic, said: 'The system of the competition has changed. Thus instead of three groups where the best five teams from each group as well as the best sixth ranked from all groups took a place in TOP 16 now we will have four groups where four teams from each of them goes to the next stage. My personal opinion is that it would be a great success if we reach TOP 16 next season. We need to focus on ourself to make a strong team which will be capable to meet expectations in Euroleague. Our group is really strong and I think that our group and the group where Panathinaioks is are a little bit stronger that the one where Cibona is placed. The fourth group is a bit weaker than Cibona's' - said Dusko Vujosevic.



*****************************************************
  SLOVENIA   


Krka extends Marko Rakocevic - by Matej Bergant
Krka extended the contract of Marko Rakocevic (205-C-83) for another season. Rakocevic averaged 10.6ppg, 1.9rpg in 38 games of Slovenian Championship. He helped Krka to qualify for Adriatic League which they will play in 2008/2009 season. Besides Krka he played for Gorica Podgorica, Rudar Sjever, Lovcen Cetinje, CSU-Asesoft Ploiesti, Khimik-OPZ Yuzny, Mersin Buyuksehir, KK Igokea Aleksandrovac, KK Primorka Bar, Pizza Express Apollon Limassol and Union Olimpija Ljubljana.

Tough Euroleague Draw for Union Olimpija, Zlatorog will face Amak in EuroChallenge - by Zeljko Zule

The 2008-09 Euroleague season marked its first event Tuesday as the regular season draw was held in Berlin, Germany. Slovenian champion Union Olimpija will play in Group C along with Spanish, Turkish and German champions Tau Ceramica, Fenerbahce Ulker and Alba Berlin, ULEB Cup Champion DKV Joventud and Italian runner-up Virtus Roma.
Zlatorog will face Macedonian side Amak in EuroChallenge Cup. They meet them in the first qualifying round of the competition (11 & 18 October). If the make it past they play Hungarian runner-up Kormend or Holland runner-up Towers in round two (4 & 11 November).



Slovenia wins by 25 ... - by Zeljko Zule
Slovenia dominate in the openinig day of Alpos Cup at Maribor as crushed Iran 96-71 while Puerto Rico defeated New Zealand 82-74.
Slovenia shot 76-percent (32-of-42) from two-point range and Iran hit 13-of-21 behind the arc. Radoslav Nesterovic (212-C-76) scored 18 points on shooting 8-of-12, Miha Zupan added 13, Uros Slokar 12 and Goran Dragic handed out 5 assists. Nikkhah lead Iran with 22 points on shooting 4-of-5 from 3 point range and Agafh Eslamed posted 17 points including five 3-pointers.
Slovenia-Iran 96-71 (Zagorac 2, Lakovic 4, Capin 5, Becirovic 9, Nesterovic 18, Dragic 6, Slokar 12, Joksimovic 8, Jagodnik 5, D.Lorbek 10, Drobnjak 4, Zupan 13 Amini 2, Kamrany 7, Akbari, Zandi 6, Afagj 15, Sohrabnejad, Sahakian 3, Karoust 2, Nikka 22, Ehadadi 12, Rezee, Davoudi DNP).
Puerto Rico-New Zealand 82-74 (Ramos 6, Barea 13, Rivera 9, Arroyo DNP, Mojica 5, Carmona 2, Ayuso 12, Sanchez 5, Villafane, Reyes 7, Santiago 11, Jones 12 Tait 12, Fitchett 3, Penney 24, Vukona 9, Kench DNP, Winitana 4, Piedger DNP, Cameron 5, Webster 2, Brashaw 13, Hill, Horvath 2).

Elektra target member of FYROM NT - by Zeljko Zule

Elektra Esotech is negotiating with Macedonian NT member Jane Petrovski (181-G-87, agency: 011 Sports) of MZT Skopje.
Rudar (B1) is interested in Srboljub Nedeljkovic (202-F/C-79) ex Alpos Sentjur and Vladimir Rizman (196-G/F-67) ex Hopsi.

.



*****************************************************
  SOUTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS   


Standings
Standings
1. Argentina4-1
2. Brazil4-1
3. Uruguay4-1
4. Venezuela2-3
5. Colombia1-4
6. Chile0-5


*****************************************************
  SPAIN   


Latest news - by Eurobasket News
Juan Jose Bernabe (182-G-76) extended contract with Grupo Begar Leon. Bernabe is a member of Leon since 2005 when he joined the team from CB Ourense. Bernabe and his team didn't have such a good last season as they finished it on the bottom of ACB with score 8-24. Bernabe played 32 games for Leon previous season averaging 3.1 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 2.5 apg and 1.2 spg. He had a much important role on season 06/07 when the team reached LEB final winning promotion to ACB league. That season Leon also captured the Spanish LEB Cup. Before Leon, Bernabe spent 6 years in Ourense and 4 years in Caceres.

Bulgarian a hot prospect Bozhidar Avramov (195-G-90) will continue his career at Gandia Basket. Pamesa Valencia decided to loan Avramov to Gandia for one year in order to gain more experience in senior competition. Young point guard played just 8 games for Pamesa in ACB regular season but without any important record. He also had 3 appearances in ULEB Cup scoring 1.7 ppg. Avramov joined Pamesa in 2007 from Bulgarian team Cherno More.

In the meantime draw for Euroleague regular season was held today in Berlin. Real Madrid is placed into group D together with reining Euroleague champion CSKA Moscow. Their rivals in the same group will be Efes Pilsen, AJ Milano, Partizan Belgrade and Panionios. TAU Ceramica and Joventut will meet Fenerbahce Ulker, Virtus Roma, Olimpija and ALBA Berlin in group C. Barcelona is placed into group B where its opponents are Montepaschi, Panathinaikos, Zalgiris, Prokom Trefl and SLUC Nancy. The fifth Spanish team, Unicaja Malaga, will face with Maccabi Electra, Olympiakos, Cibona, Le Mans and Avelino in group A.

*****************************************************
  SWITZERLAND   


Polybank signs in Lausanne - by Kristian Santiago
Brendon Polyblank (197-G/F-78, college: Texas St.-San Marcos) inked a contract with Lausanne Morges Basket.
The Kiwi has also a British passport and has plenty of experience in Europe including earlier stints in Switzerland with BBC Monthey and Sion Herens Basket.
He averaged 17,6 ppg and 6,2 rpg for BBC Monthey in 2007/2008 and is all set to repeat his scoring output in Lausanne next season.

*****************************************************
  TPBL   


CENTRAL ,TX HAS A NEW PRO TEAM - by Chris Cardenas

KILLEEN,TX - Will be the new cite for the central texas areas newest pro basketball team. The CEN-TEX BLACKHAWKS are latest team to join the Texas Professional Basketball League which will be in its 9th yr of play in 2009. Team owner, Karron Taylor, is excited about the opportunity to showcase his team and giving his city someone to cheer for in the 2009 TPBL season. 'im excited about the Blackhawks entry into the league for the 2009 season. I know Karron as a great competitor, and student of the game. He'll make a great owner, as well as a player for the Blackhawks organization' says Chris Cardenas TPBL league owner.
for more information on Blackhawks team tryouts or sponsorship information contact : Karron Taylor at 254-534-1014 or email him at karron.taylor@tisd.org

for an official TPBL entry form or league packet contact league owner chris cardenas at : 325-763-6630 or email : cardenas_chris@yahoo.com

TEXAS OPEN : MENS & WOMENS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT - by Chris Cardenas


SAN ANGELO, TX - will be the site for the 2009 TEXAS OPEN MENS AND WOMENS PRO/AM BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT. A cash prize of $2000 will be given to 1st place in both divisions as well as 1st-3rd place team and individual awards. TPBL league owner chris cardenas, who will hosting the event, will have TASO certified officials calling games to ensure games are played and officiated to the highest level possible.

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION:

WHAT: TEXAS OPEN MENS & WOMENS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

WHEN: AUGUST 16-17

WHERE: SAN ANGELO, TX

ENTRY FEE: $350 PER TEAM ($100 NON-REF DEP DUE BY DEADLINE)

DEADLINE TO ENTER : AUGUST 10

TO ENTER CALL CHRIS : 325-763-6630 OR EMAIL : CARDENAS_CHRIS@YAHOO.COM




*****************************************************
  TURKEY   


Turkish U18 team posts 2-1 record in Greece - by Eurobasket News
Turkish U18 National Team just completed their travel to Greece to take part at the International Syros Tournament. Turkish youngsters recorded two victories in three games at the competition. They opened their campaign against Russia. Coming strong in the second half Turkey celebrated a tough 74:66 victory. Deniz Kilich provided 20 points to lead all scorers. Melih Mahmutoglu (192-G-90) nailed 19 points, while Furkan Aldemir dropped 10 in a win.
Later Turkish juniors took on hosting Greece. The home side got to a flying start outscoring their opponents 22:12 in the opening period. Greek team stretched the advantage to 14 points at halftime and kept Turkey at bay throughout the rest of the contest. Melih Mahmutoglu nailed 14 points in defeat. Furkan Aldemir (205-F-91) produced 12 points as Turkey suffered their first loss in Greece.
Turkish U18 team however rebounded pretty quickly and dropped Bulgarian counterparts in the final game of the tourney. Turkey dominated throughout the game and easily ran away to a 52:30 distance at the interval. Bulgaria never threatened the lead and Turkey finalized an impressive 95:69 win at the end. Ugur Can Aksoy came up with 18 points and 15 boards for Turkey. Can Maxim Mutaf (193-G-91) had 17 points, while Erdinc Balto (206-F-90) notched 15 points and 9 rebounds in a win.

*****************************************************
  UKRAINE   


Budivelnik inks John DeGroat - by Eurobasket News
Budivelnik improved the roster for the upcoming season signing American John DeGroat (198-F-85, college: Pittsburgh). The latter had a great season for Pittsburgh Xplosion averaging 18.2ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.5apg, 1.7spg.
John DeGroat started hi career in 2001-2002 for Monticello High School in Monticello, N.Y and averaged 24.3 points, 13.5 rebounds and three steals per game. In 2004-2005 joined Pittsburgh and in 23 games had 1.9ppg, 1.5rpg, 12ast. and then 2.9ppg, 1.6rpg in the season after. In 2006-2007 played for Dart Killester Dublin and in October 2006 moved to UU-Korihait Uusikaupunki in Finland.
2007-2008 season saw John DeGroat helping Pittsburgh Xplosion in CBA. He played 41 games and averaged 18.2ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.5apg. Pittsburgh Xplosion struggled against Minot Skyrockets but lost the semifinal series to them. Minot won both games and advanced to the CBA Final, where they would clashed with the Oklahoma Cavalry. Minot opened the series against Pittsburgh with a confident 105:87 victory. It was a well-matched battle throughout three quarters but the Skyrockets held the visitors to just 9 points in the final stanza and ran away for good. Ray Cunningham led the hosts with 20 points, 14 boards and 5 blocks. Ronnie Fields provided 26 points to lead all scorers, while Kevin Johnson dropped 17 points for the winners. John DeGroat answered with 23 points and 9 boards for the Xplosion and proved his ambitions for the team.

Superleague teams' headquarters' draw comments - by Alexander Muzyka

Borys Maletskiy (Azovmash vice-president):
(Lietuvos Rytas, Lyon-Villeurbanne, Azovmash, Benetton T/Benetton F - Gran Canaria winner)
'We're lucky with a draw - comparing to previous seasons. So we're satisfied about the results. We were afraid about Russian teams known as a home ones - and we won't face 'em. We've inked the best players for being the favorites. I'm sure we can beat each of the opponents and we'll try to prove that'.

Vitali Khomenko (BC Kyiv general manager):
(BC Kyiv - Telekom/Panellinios winner)
'I can't say we were lucky in a draw but I don't think we were unlucky, too. We can pass the winner of that pair. We would like to play vs Telekom but I think we'll face Panellinios Athens where ex-BC Kyiv players Damir Rancic and Milan Dozet have played. We'll have a difficult season if we step to regular season. Aris and Turk Telekom are very strong teams and Bnei Hasharon is really unknown team to everybody. But this draw is not so bad for us'.

Volodymyr Poliakh (MBC Mykolaiv head coach):
(Skyliners - MBC Mykolaiv)
'We hoped to face somebody from Bosnia or Macedonia. But now we have ex-ULEB team as an opponent. We're seriously unlucky. But I promise we will fight and make everything for a win'.

Valentin Voronin (Politekhnika-Halychyna head coach):
(Politekhnika-Halychyna - Borac)
'I know nothing about Borac - maybe we're lucky? Now I'll phone to my friends for information'.

Kyrylo Pohostynskyi (Cherkasy Monkeys manager):
(Cherkasy Monkeys - BC Samara)
'There were the times we were stronger than BC Samara so why shouldn't we win over them once again? We were ready to face Russians and I can say we are strong enough to step to the next round'.


By basket.com.ua


* Eurobasket.com recommends mass-media to note the fibaeurope.com mistakes in Ukrainian EuroChallenge participants' names: MBC Mykolaiv and Politekhnika (correct)



*****************************************************
  UNITED KINGDOM   


Gall Signs on Again for Raiders - by George Manousidis
Gary Stronach , Head Coach of the Plymouth Raiders, has announced that native guard Allister Gall (188-G-80, agency: IceBasket, college: Franklin Pierce) has re- signed for his fifth season in the BBL with his hometown club.

6'4' Gall has played in more BBL Championship games for the Raiders than any other player, having featured in 144 games over their four previous seasons in the top flight, closely followed by fellow returnee DeAntoine Beasley on 141. He averaged 7.17 points per game last season in 18:31 minutes per outing.

The 28-year-old is used as a sixth man by the Raiders, providing a three-point shooting threat from the bench. He scored more triples in the league than any of his team mates last season with 47 on a shooting percentage of 31.33%.

'It's great to have Allister back on the team again,' said Raiders' coach Gary Stronach . 'He's really important to us, he's a great outside shooter but more than that, a real competitor. Allister had a great year for us last year, but I've told him I don't want him to be content with that. I want him to keep improving and contributing in a big way to the team's successes.'

Gall attended college in the United States, at Franklin Pierce, before playing a year professionally in Ireland and subsequently making his debut for the Raiders against the Marshall MK Lions in October 2004.

'Allister is still only 28, but has achieved so much in basketball,' added Stronach. 'He's a great player to have on the team, because I know he'll do anything that I ask of him, and he'll do it with 100% commitment. He's probably one of the fittest players on the team already and I know he's looking forward to the new season coming around.'

This is another signing that provides the Raiders with the much needed continuity sought by Coach Stronach. This season, along with a few new players, the majority of last year's team, which achieved the club's highest ever league finish of third, will return. The benefits of continuity were plain for everyone to see in 06/07 when the Raiders squad from 05/06 returned en masse and the team won the BBL Trophy.

'It was really important for us to get Allister back this year,' said Chief Executive Dave Briggs. 'Gary wants at least 2 players for each position, and Allister's one of the best and purest shooters in the league. I know he's as excited about the coming season as everyone else around the club is. Hopefully we can stay healthy and get our hands on some more silverware.'

From BBL official website.



*****************************************************

Women News

*****************************************************
  ALBANIA - Women  


Albania dismantles Wales in Luxembourg - by Eurobasket News
Albania - Wales 79:49

Albanian National team celebrated their first win at the European championship in Division C. Earlier today Albania overcame Wales and improved to 1-1 record at the tournament. Albania got to a quick start of the game and posted a 7:1 lead midway through the first frame. Wagstaff and Jennings cut the deficit but Cakici capped the opening stanza with a three-pointer to give Albania a 14:6 advantage. Cakici and Plasa stretched the gap to 10 points early in the second quarter. However four straight points from Wagstaff clipped the distance to 6 points. Albania closed the first half on a run and piled up a 35:21 advantage at the interval. The teams traded baskets throughout the third stanza however Wales could not come any closer. Moreover Albania widened the damage and enjoyed a 17-point cushion before the fourth term. Deneko nailed 5 points in a row early in the final period that marked a 21-point buffer for Albania. They never looked back afterwards finalizing an impressive victory. Deneko produced 19 points and 10 boards to lead Albanian team. Cakici had 17 points, while Permeti dropped 12 in a win. Wagstaff answered with game-high 21 points and 6 boards for Wales. Gough netted 9 points in defeat. Wales will take on Malta tomorrow, while Albania will face Scotland in Pool B.

Albania: Enkela Deneko (-76) 19+10 boards, Brikena Cakici (-80) 17, Fabiola Permeti 12
Wales: Sarah Wagstaff 21, Emma Gough 9

*****************************************************
  AZERBAIJAN - Women  


Azerbaijan reached the first win - by Eurobasket News
Gibraltar - Azerbaijan 42:71

Azerbaijan reached the first win in European championship in Division C. Today the team overcame Gibraltar 71:42 and improved to 1-1 record, while the latter fell at 0-2. Shimichenko was unstoppable with 25 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Musayeva collected 12 points and 8 rebounds, whilst Biryuchkova added 10. Sene top-scored for Gibraltar with 9 points and 6 rebounds and Cassaglia posted 8. Tomorrow Gibraltar will take on Andorra. Azerbaijan will meet hosts Luxembourg in the last game of the day.

Gibraltar: Sene 9+6 rebs, Cassaglia 8
Azerbaijan: Shimichenko 25+8 rebs+5 ast, Musayeva 12+8 rebs, Biryuchkova 10

*****************************************************
  CANADA - Women  


Anne Marie Thuss named the interim head coach - by Eurobasket News
Anne-Marie Thuss has been named the interim Head Coach of the McMaster women's basketball program. Anne-Marie Thuss will lead the Marauders while longtime Head Coach Theresa Burns is on a personal leave of absence for the 2008-2009 season. Anne-Marie Thuss has served as an assistant coach with the Marauders since joining the program in 2001. Together Anne-Marie Thuss and Burns have built the OUA's most successful Women's Basketball Program over the past decade capturing three OUA Championships and five OUA West Division titles. In 2008, the team's OUA Conference Championship, OUA West Division title as well as a CIS Bronze Medal highlighted the program's best performance since the 1989-90 season.
'This is a good situation because I am very comfortable with the athletes, the systems and the style that Theresa has worked so hard to bring to the program,' commented Anne-Marie Thuss . 'I am happy to have been entrusted with the team for the short term.'
A former CIS student athlete herself, Anne-Marie Thuss competed for the York Lions from 1982 to 1987. Anne-Marie Thuss captained the team from 1985 to 1987 and she was named a conference all-star at the completion of the 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons. Anne-Marie Thuss started her elite level coaching career with the Basketball Ontario Junior Develop Program in 1987 continuing until 1989. She then returned to coach with her Alma matter serving as an assistant coach at York from 1990 to 1997 highlighted by a CIS Silver medal finish in 1997. Outside of the CIS ranks Anne-Marie Thuss has been extensively involved with the Canadian National Team program since 2000. She started as the Women's Junior National Team Manager in 2000. In 2001 she joined the Senior Women's National Team staff in the same capacity. She has served in that role ever since. This summer Anne-Marie Thuss will be traveling extensively with the Senior Team including stops in France and Slovakia for exhibition series with both Countries. Originally from Strathroy, ON Anne-Marie Thuss has resided in Hamilton the past five years.
Courtesy of: www.universitysport.ca

*****************************************************
  E.CHAMPS (W) - Women  


European championship Division C. Day 2 - by Eurobasket News
Andorra-Luxembourg 28:58 (13-10, 4-20, 8-11, 3-17)

Luxembourg jumped to the first place in Group A and remains there alone so far. In the last game of Day 2 the hosts of European championship, Division C smashed Andorra 58:28. Trailing 3 points after the first quarter Luxembourg bounced back and won the encounter. Tessy Hetting (188-F-86) led the winners with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 9 steals. Lisy Hetting and Evelyne Stoll (187-C-86) supported her with 8 points apiece. Vidal Gomez top-scored for the losing side with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Andorra probably forgot the level of two teams and the home side of Luxembourg taking the control of the opening tip of the game. Vicente opened the scoring list for her team as Andorra had 2-0. Vidal Gomez led Andorra to 10:2 with 4 minutes to go, but Andorra could enjoy only 13:10 after the first period.
Luxembourg woke up in the second period and held the opponents scoreless for the first 7 minutes of the quarter. The hosts created 12-0 run and sealed 30:17 advantage at the half. The third period was more defensive for both squads and Luxembourg had 11:8 in it to go on 41:25. Tessy Hetting opened the last period from the free throw line and Luxembourg remained on top. The team allowed Andorra to score 3 points in 10 minutes and celebrated 58:28 victory.

Andorra: Vidal Gomez 10+12 rebs, Pla 6, Mun Mas 6
Luxembourg:Tessy Hetting 12+13 rebs+9 steals, Lisy Hetting 8, Evelyne Stoll 8

Gibraltar - Azerbaijan 42:71
Azerbaijan reached the first win in European championship in Division C. Today the team overcame Gibraltar 71:42 and improved to 1-1 record, while the latter fell at 0-2. Shimichenko was unstoppable with 25 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Musayeva collected 12 points and 8 rebounds, whilst Biryuchkova added 10. Sene top-scored for Gibraltar with 9 points and 6 rebounds and Cassaglia posted 8. Tomorrow Gibraltar will take on Andorra. Azerbaijan will meet hosts Luxembourg in the last game of the day.

Gibraltar: Sene 9+6 rebs, Cassaglia 8
Azerbaijan: Shimichenko 25+8 rebs+5 ast, Musayeva 12+8 rebs, Biryuchkova 10

Albania - Wales 79:49
Albanian National team celebrated their first win at the European championship in Division C. Earlier today Albania overcame Wales and improved to 1-1 record at the tournament. Albania got to a quick start of the game and posted a 7:1 lead midway through the first frame. Wagstaff and Jennings cut the deficit but Cakici capped the opening stanza with a three-pointer to give Albania a 14:6 advantage. Cakici and Plasa stretched the gap to 10 points early in the second quarter. However four straight points from Wagstaff clipped the distance to 6 points. Albania closed the first half on a run and piled up a 35:21 advantage at the interval. The teams traded baskets throughout the third stanza however Wales could not come any closer. Moreover Albania widened the damage and enjoyed a 17-point cushion before the fourth term. Deneko nailed 5 points in a row early in the final period that marked a 21-point buffer for Albania. They never looked back afterwards finalizing an impressive victory. Deneko produced 19 points and 10 boards to lead Albanian team. Cakici had 17 points, while Permeti dropped 12 in a win. Wagstaff answered with game-high 21 points and 6 boards for Wales. Gough netted 9 points in defeat. Wales will take on Malta tomorrow, while Albania will face Scotland in Pool B.

Albania: Enkela Deneko (-76) 19+10 boards, Brikena Cakici (-80) 17, Fabiola Permeti 12
Wales: Sarah Wagstaff 21, Emma Gough 9

Malta-Scotland 75:50 (25-13, 17-8, 15-6, 18-23)
Malta became the leader of Group B beating Scotland 75:50 on Day 2. An easy win in the first three quarters led to the second win in a row. Josephine Grima (190-C-84) top-scored for the winners with 24 points. Ellul netted 18, while Rebecca Thoresen (179-F-78) collected 16 points and 8 rebounds. Rowan Bell produced 14 points in the losing effort and Siobhan Moore (185-C-87) had 9.
Scotland did not mind to open the game as Rowan Bell made two free throws. Josephine Grima first tied the score and then gave her team the lead that remained until the final whistle. It was her again with a jump shot to close the first period at 25:13. In the second quarter Scottish team played tough but trailed 15-20 points. The last whistle in the first half set up 42:21 for Malta as the teams went to the lockers.
In the third period Malta used a defensive style to leave the opponents with 6 points in the period. Rebecca Thoresen jump shot closed the third period at 57:27. Josephine Grima opened another quarter for her team and Malta spurt to the next ruin. Scotland however played better in the last quarter and won it 23:18. The final score was for Malta 75:50 and lifted it to the top position in the group.

Malta:Josephine Grima 24, Ellul 18, Rebecca Thoresen 16+8 rebs
Scotland: Rowan Bell 14, Siobhan Moore 9


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  FRANCE - Women  


France U20 wins Zamora Tournament - by Eurobasket News
France U20 won Zamora Tournament held in Spain. The team warmed up before the European championship to start in Italy later this month with Spain, Italy and Greece junior teams.
France overcame Italy 68:33 in the opener of the competition. In another game Spanish side opened their competition in an impressive manner thumping Greek counterparts 56:37 on Day 1. Spain took on Italy next day and were held off 59:67. France was stronger than Greek side in Day 2.
The last game saw Spain wrapped Zamora tournament campaign against France on Sunday. Once again Spain opened the game pretty confidently building a 16:13 lead with ten minutes gone in the encounter. But a 24:13 rally from French opponents in the second period denied the effort. France took over and snatched a narrow victory at the very end of the clash. Anna Carbo (176-F-88) delivered 18 points and was trumped the MVP of the tournament. Gabriela Ocete (-88) secured 17 points in defeat. Italy U20 beat Greece to finish second 63:58.
The teams are on the way to start their European championship that will start on July 11th.

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  GERMANY - Women  


Blue Dolphins land Mirijam Unger - by Moritz Korff
BC pharmaserv Marburg has completed the signing of one of Germany top prospects on the center-spot. Mirijam Unger (190-C/F-88) leaves DBB-newcomer BG Donau-Ries (formerly known as TSV Noerdlingen) and joins the Blue Dolphins. Unger is a member of the German U20-National Team and is currently preparing for the EURO that starts at the end of this month. In this past season Unger led her team to the championship in the 2. DBBL South.

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  GREECE - Women  


Greece U20 warms up before European championship - by Eurobasket News
Greece U20 National team continued to warm up before the European championship. The team participated in Zamora Tournament with Spain, Italy and France junior teams. Greece opened their competition losing to Spain 37:56 on Day 1. Spain opened the game confidently outgunning Greece 18:8 on the first period. A stifling defense never allowed Greece to come back to life and Spain celebrated an overwhelming victory at the end. Anna Carbo (176-F-88) provided 12 points for Spain. Aauri Bokesa and Berta Sinol (-88) knocked down 7 points apiece for the winners. Anna Spyridopoulou (184-F-88) answered with 11 points for Greek team.
The last game saw Italian side taking the second place in the tournament after a victory over Greece. Italy U20 led the majority of the game and won 63:58. They started with 16:13 and took the control of the game in the opening quarter. Italy increased to 31:27 as both squads went to interim for the break. In the third period Italy played even better and could take 8 points advantage. Greece however produced a good last period but could not catch up the winners. Rossi led the winners with 23 points.Battisodo netted 11, while Arianna Zampieri (182-F-88) posted 8. Consolini ended up with 6, and Bove together with Sandri had 4 each in a win.

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  ISRAEL - Women  


White LaTanya is another star for Ramla - by Eurobasket News
Israeli League continues to shock Europe with the names of the starts they sign for the upcoming season. Ramla added LaTanya White (170-G-82, college: Mississippi St.) for the next season.
The second overall pick in the 2005 WNBA draft, a guard for the Indiana Fever the past four seasons will play in Ramla.
In 2006-2007 White joined Lotos Gdynia where played 30 games in Polish League averaging 13.9ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.4spg. In February 2008 signed at TTT Riga and played 5 games in Baltic League. She had 12.2ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.6spg, 1.0bpg for her European team.
Right now LaTanya White spends a season in WNBA for Indiana Fever. The latter improved to 9-8 record after an 81:74 win over the Connecticut Sun on Saturday night. Before that Indiana Fever beat the Chicago Sky at the Conseco Fieldhouse. Tamika Catchings came up with the performance of the season so far nailing 18 points and pivoting the Fever to their 7th all-time victory over Chicago. Catchings also had 6 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals to complete her tally. The Fever All-Star player missed the start of the season because of an injured Achilles tendon. She however is getting back to her form though coming off the bench in this one. Katie Douglas nailed 12 points, while Tammy Sutton-Brown had 11 points and 12 boards for the winners. Candice Dupree notched 20 points and 13 boards for the Sky. Dominique Canty produced 16 points in a losing effort. Indiana got to a better start as they piled up a 7-point lead after the starting frame. They pushed the advantage to 15 points midway through the second period. The gap grew to 16 points in the third stanza and the Fever never looked back again. LaTanya White produced 4 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists for the Fever.

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  ITALY - Women  


Italy U20 finishes second in Spain - by Eurobasket News
Italian U20 National team continued to warm up before the European championship. The team participated in Zamora Tournament with Spain, Greece and France junior teams. In the first game Italy lost to France 33:68 with no chances for the win.
In the second game Italy took on Spain next day and won 67:59. Spain failed to capitalize on a 9-point advantage after the first stanza. Italy gained control over the game in the second period and never loosened the grip till the victorious end of the contest. Arianna Zampieri (182-F-88) and Chiara Consolini (182-F-88) produced 15 points apiece to pace Italian team. Anna Carbo (176-F-88) topscored for the hosts with 15 points. Jael Freixanet scored 12 points in defeat.
The last game saw Italian side taking the second place in the tournament after a victory over Greece. Italy U20 led the majority of the game and won 63:58. They started with 16:13 and took the control of the game in the opening quarter. Italy increased to 31:27 as both squads went to interim for the break. In the third period Italy played even better and could take 8 points advantage. Greece however produced a good last period but could not catch up the winners. Rossi led the winners with 23 points.Battisodo netted 11, while Arianna Zampieri posted 8. Chiara Consolini ended up with 6, and Bove together with Sandri had 4 each in a win.

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  JAPAN - Women  


Oga recorded 8 points for Phoenix - by Eurobasket News
Yuko Oga (170-G-82) improves her stats for her Phoenix in WNBA. At first Shameka Christon scored 18 of her 25 points in the first half and the New York Liberty snapped the Phoenix Mercury's four-game winning streak, 93:83 on Saturday night.Yuko Oga recorded 8 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist for just 10 minutes in the court. After that Los Angeles beat Phoenix 91:80 at the Staples Center. Lisa Leslie finished with 25 points and 15 boards to help dismantle the reigning champions. The Sparks entered the game having lost three consecutive games but snapped the streak easily. The hosts were comfortably up throughout the major part of the game. They piled up an 11-point advantage at halftime and then stretched to 20 in the third period. The Mercury answered with a 15:2 run to come as close as 7 points from the home team late in regulation but could not succeed. Shannon Bobbitt and Sidney Spencer nailed from downtown and the Sparks never looked back again. Shannon Bobbitt contributed career-high 11 points for the winners. Cappie Pondexter and Kelly Miller provided 14 points apiece for the Mercury. Yuko Oga finished the night with 4 points and 2 rebounds in the losing effort. The leagues leading scorers Diana Taurasi was held to just 8 points in defeat.

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  LUXEMBOURG - Women  


Luxembourg cruises past Andorra - by Eurobasket News
Andorra-Luxembourg 28:58 (13-10, 4-20, 8-11, 3-17)

Luxembourg jumped to the first place in Group A and remains there alone so far. In the last game of Day 2 the hosts of European championship, Division C smashed Andorra 58:28. Trailing 3 points after the first quarter Luxembourg bounced back and won the encounter. Tessy Hetting (188-F-86) led the winners with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 9 steals. Lisy Hetting and Evelyne Stoll (187-C-86) supported her with 8 points apiece. Vidal Gomez top-scored for the losing side with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Andorra probably forgot the level of two teams and the home side of Luxembourg taking the control of the opening tip of the game. Vicente opened the scoring list for her team as Andorra had 2-0. Vidal Gomez led Andorra to 10:2 with 4 minutes to go, but Andorra could enjoy only 13:10 after the first period.
Luxembourg woke up in the second period and held the opponents scoreless for the first 7 minutes of the quarter. The hosts created 12-0 run and sealed 30:17 advantage at the half. The third period was more defensive for both squads and Luxembourg had 11:8 in it to go on 41:25. Tessy Hetting opened the last period from the free throw line and Luxembourg remained on top. The team allowed Andorra to score 3 points in 10 minutes and celebrated 58:28 victory.

Andorra: Vidal Gomez 10+12 rebs, Pla 6, Mun Mas 6
Luxembourg:Tessy Hetting 12+13 rebs+9 steals, Lisy Hetting 8, Evelyne Stoll 8

DBBL schedule for season 2008/09 - by Eurobasket News
Basketball Federation of Luxemburg officially announced schedule for the season 2008/09.


DBBL schedule for season 08/09

1st round / 10th round
4./5.10.2008 and 6./7.12.2008
Racing - Etzella
Schieren - Rsidence
T71 - Musel Pikes
Amicale - Contern
Grngewald - Esch

2nd round / 11th round
11./12.10.2008 and 13./14.12.2008
Rsidence - Racing
Musel Pikes - Schieren
Contern - T71
Esch - Amicale
Etzella - Grngewald

3rd round / 12th round
18./19.10.2008 and 20./21.12.2008
Racing - Musel Pikes
Schieren - Contern
T71 - Esch
Amicale - Etzella
Grngewald - Rsidence

4th round / 13th round
25./26.10.2008 and 10./11.1.2009
Contern - Racing
Esch - Schieren
Etzella - T71
Rsidence - Amicale
Musel Pikes - Grngewald

5th round / 14th round
2.11.2008 and 16.1.2009
Racing - Amicale
Schieren - Grngewald
T71 - Rsidence
Etzella - Esch
Musel Pikes - Contern

6th round / 15th round
8./9.11.2008 and 18.1.2009
Grngewald - Racing
Schieren - Etzella
Amicale - T71
Rsidence - Musel Pikes
Contern - Esch

7th round / 16th round
15./16.11.2008 and 24./25.1.2009
Racing - T71
Amicale - Schieren
Grngewald - Contern
Etzella - Rsidence
Esch - Musel Pikes

8th round / 17th round
22./23.11.2008 and 31.1./1.2.2009
Schieren - Racing
T71 - Grngewald
Musel Pikes - Amicale
Contern - Etzella
Esch - Rsidence

9th round / 18th round
29./30.11.2008 and 14./15.2.2009
Racing - Esch
T71 - Schieren
Amicale - Grngewald
Etzella - Musel Pikes
Rsidence - Contern

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  MALTA - Women  


Malta beat Scotland to become a leader of Group B - by Eurobasket News
Malta-Scotland 75:50 (25-13, 17-8, 15-6, 18-23)

Malta became the leader of Group B beating Scotland 75:50 on Day 2. An easy win in the first three quarters led to the second win in a row. Josephine Grima (190-C-84) top-scored for the winners with 24 points. Ellul netted 18, while Rebecca Thoresen (179-F-78) collected 16 points and 8 rebounds. Rowan Bell produced 14 points in the losing effort and Siobhan Moore (185-C-87) had 9.
Scotland did not mind to open the game as Rowan Bell made two free throws. Josephine Grima first tied the score and then gave her team the lead that remained until the final whistle. It was her again with a jump shot to close the first period at 25:13. In the second quarter Scottish team played tough but trailed 15-20 points. The last whistle in the first half set up 42:21 for Malta as the teams went to the lockers.
In the third period Malta used a defensive style to leave the opponents with 6 points in the period. Rebecca Thoresen jump shot closed the third period at 57:27. Josephine Grima opened another quarter for her team and Malta spurt to the next ruin. Scotland however played better in the last quarter and won it 23:18. The final score was for Malta 75:50 and lifted it to the top position in the group.

Malta:Josephine Grima 24, Ellul 18, Rebecca Thoresen 16+8 rebs
Scotland: Rowan Bell 14, Siobhan Moore 9

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  NEW ZEALAND - Women  


New Zealand U8 team loses twice in a row in Ballarat - by Eurobasket News
New Zealand U18 team could not gain the necessary form at the Australian U18 championship losing twice yesterday. They opened the day with a stunning loss to New South Wales Metro 50:71. Natasha Hall led the Kiwis with 16 points and 13 boards. The Metro cruised in the opening frame building a 22:10 advantage into the second period. New Zealand never recovered and suffered their second loss at the competition.
Later in the day New Zealand put up a fierce fight against Victoria Country but still fell short of victory 62:71. Jasmine Davis knocked down 19 points for New Zealand in defeat. Natasha Hall contributed 16 points and 7 boards in a losing effort.

The Tall Ferns squad for Beijing named - by Eurobasket News
The New Zealand Olympic Committee announced the 12-player roster for the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games. Captain Aneka Kerr (183-F-81) highlights the strong squad that will try to improve on the 8th overall spot during the 2004 Athens Olympiad. Aneka Kerr and Angela Marino (166-G-86) will be the only two players on the squad from the Athens roster. The Tall Ferns head coach Mike McHugh included sisters Natalie and Charmain Purcell (180-G/F-79) in the squad. Suzie Bates (175-G-87) and Jessica McCormack (196-F-89) will travel to Bejing together with the team. Jillian Harmon (185-F-87) and Clare Bodensteiner (175-G-84) have been introduced to the team only in April but already had impact during the Tall Ferns European tour. Harmon and Bodensteiner studied at the Stanford University in the USA together playing for the university basketball team. However they got to know about their eligibility to play for the New Zealand internationally just this year when Bodensteiner was about to trial with the Christchurch Sirens. Jillian Harmon played in the NCAA Final this season.
Charmain Purcell will be the oldest player on the roster at her 29 years. Jessica McCormack is the youngest at 18. McCormack will be the only genuine center in the team. The squad also includes Noni Wharemate (171-G-82, college: UTEP), Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe (173-G-79, college: Buffalo), Lisa Wallbutton (183-F-86) of the Sirens. The teams will also be joined by the University of Oregon player Micaela Cocks (173-G-86). New Zealand tips off the Beijing campaign against Mali on August 9.

New Zealand roster for Beijing:
Noni Wharemate, Jessica McCormack, Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe, Lisa Wallbutton, Charmain Purcell, Clare Bodensteiner, Suzie Bates, Micaela Cocks, Aneka Kerr, Angela Marino, Jillian Harmon, Natalie Charmain Purcell (183-F-82, college: SE Missouri St.).

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  RUSSIA - Women  


CSKA signs outstanding Douglas - by Eurobasket News
American forward Katie Douglas (183-G/F-79, college: Purdue) will continue her career in CSKA. She signed for 2 years with an option to renew.
It is the loudest signing so far for the team that expects to struggle with Spartak Moscow region for the gold next season.
Katie Douglas is a brilliant player and will be a great addition to CSKA roster. In 2007-2008 she won Spanish League with Ros Casares Valencia averaging 13.3ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.9apg, 1.6spg. Right now Katie spend outstanding season in WNBA for Indiana Fever. The latter improved to 9-8 record after an 81:74 win over the Connecticut Sun on Saturday night. Tammy Sutton-Brown and Katie Douglas each scored 18 points to lead the Indianapolis Fever. Before that Indiana Fever beat the Chicago Sky at the Conseco Fieldhouse. Tamika Catchings came up with the performance of the season so far nailing 18 points and pivoting the Fever to their 7th all-time victory over Chicago. Catchings also had 6 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals to complete her tally. The Fever All-Star player missed the start of the season because of an injured Achilles tendon. She however is getting back to her form though coming off the bench in this one. Katie Douglas nailed 12 points, while Tammy Sutton-Brown had 11 points and 12 boards for the winners. Candice Dupree notched 20 points and 13 boards for the Sky. Dominique Canty produced 16 points in a losing effort. Indiana got to a better start as they piled up a 7-point lead after the starting frame. They pushed the advantage to 15 points midway through the second period. The gap grew to 16 points in the third stanza and the Fever never looked back again.

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  SCOTLAND - Women  


Malta beat Scotland to become a leader of Group B - by Eurobasket News
Malta-Scotland 75:50 (25-13, 17-8, 15-6, 18-23)

Malta became the leader of Group B beating Scotland 75:50 on Day 2. An easy win in the first three quarters led to the second win in a row. Josephine Grima (190-C-84) top-scored for the winners with 24 points. Ellul netted 18, while Rebecca Thoresen (179-F-78) collected 16 points and 8 rebounds. Rowan Bell produced 14 points in the losing effort and Siobhan Moore (185-C-87) had 9.
Scotland did not mind to open the game as Rowan Bell made two free throws. Josephine Grima first tied the score and then gave her team the lead that remained until the final whistle. It was her again with a jump shot to close the first period at 25:13. In the second quarter Scottish team played tough but trailed 15-20 points. The last whistle in the first half set up 42:21 for Malta as the teams went to the lockers.
In the third period Malta used a defensive style to leave the opponents with 6 points in the period. Rebecca Thoresen jump shot closed the third period at 57:27. Josephine Grima opened another quarter for her team and Malta spurt to the next ruin. Scotland however played better in the last quarter and won it 23:18. The final score was for Malta 75:50 and lifted it to the top position in the group.

Malta:Josephine Grima 24, Ellul 18, Rebecca Thoresen 16+8 rebs
Scotland: Rowan Bell 14, Siobhan Moore 9

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  SERBIA - Women  


U20 started with preparation - by Dragana Vukovic

Today U20 National Team started with preparation.They met in Belgrade where they will spent whole the preparation time.U20 team will participate on the European Championship in Italy from the 11th till 20th of July.They will try to defend the silver medal from las summer.Coach Jovica Antonic called 20 girls:


Nina Bogicevic (178-G-89) of Crvena Zvezda Beograd
Jelena Cerina (194-C-88) of Hemofarm Vrsac
Ana Dabovic (183-G/F-89) of Herceg Novi
Jelica Domazet (188-F/C-88) of Vojvodina Nis Naftagas Novi Sad
Dragana Gobeljic (185-F-88) of Vojvodina Nis Naftagas Novi Sad
Smiljana Ivanovic (176-G-88) of Vojvodina Nis Naftagas Novi Sad
Mina Jovanovic (176-F-89) of ZKK Kovin Kovin
Jefimija Karakasevic (191-C-89) of Vojvodina NIs Naftagas Novi Sad
Irena Matovic (186-F-88) of Vojvodina Nis Naftagas Novi Sad
Jovana Mesaros (170-G-88) of ZKK Usce Beograd
Maja Miljkovic (176-G-88) of Celta Vigo Spain
Jelena Milovanovic (191-F/C-89) of Sopron Hungary
Jelena Mitic (190-C-89) of Vojvodina Nis Naftagas Novi Sad
Ivana Musovic (173-G-89) of Crvena Zvezda Beograd
Sonja Petrovic (189-F-89) of Bourges France
Iva Roglic (189-F-88) of Crvena Zvezda Beograd
Vanja Veljovic (-88) of Radivoj Korac Beograd
Lidija Vuckovic (174-G-88) of ZKK Usce Beograd
Natasa Krnjetin (180-G-88) of Vojvodina Nis Naftagas Novi Sad

Tijana Ajdukovic (197-C-91) of Spartak Subotica
Coaches:Jovica Antonic ,Dragan Vukovic ,Goran Stevanovic
Athletic preparation coach:Srdjan Saric


Nina Bogicevic,Iva Roglic,Ivana Musovic and Jelena Cerina will join the team later because they are playing final of the play off with their teams.



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  SPAIN - Women  


Spanish U20 team loses twice at Torneo Zamora - by Eurobasket News
Spanish U20 National team completed the last international exhibition tournament before the European championship to start in Italy later this month. Spanish side hosted Zamora Tournament but could not show their best form at the event. They opened their competition in an impressive manner thumping Greek counterparts 56:37 on Day 1. Spain opened the game confidently outgunning Greece 18:8 on the first period. A stifling defense never allowed Greece to come back to life and Spain celebrated an overwhelming victory at the end. Anna Carbo (176-F-88) provided 12 points for Spain. Aauri Bokesa (183-F-88) and Berta Sinol (-88) knocked down 7 points apiece for the winners. Spiridopoulou answered with 11 points for Greek team.
However Spanish winning mood vanished pretty quickly. They took on Italy next day and were held off 59:67. Spain failed to capitalize on a 9-point advantage after the first stanza. Italy gained control over the game in the second period and never loosened the grip till the victorious end of the contest. Arianna Zampieri (182-F-88) and Chiara Consolini (182-F-88) produced 15 points apiece to pace Italian team. Anna Carbo topscored for the hosts with 15 points. Jael Freixanet (187-F-88) scored 12 points in defeat.
Spain wrapped Zamora tournament campaign against France on Sunday. Once again Spain opened the game pretty confidently building a 16:13 lead with ten minutes gone in the encounter. But a 24:13 rally from French opponents in the second period denied the effort. France took over and snatched a narrow victory at the very end of the clash. Anna Carbo delivered 18 points and was trumped the MVP of the tournament. Gabriela Ocete (-88) secured 17 points in defeat.

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  UNITED KINGDOM - Women  


Albania dismantles Wales in Luxembourg - by Eurobasket News
Albania - Wales 79:49

Albanian National team celebrated their first win at the European championship in Division C. Earlier today Albania overcame Wales and improved to 1-1 record at the tournament. Albania got to a quick start of the game and posted a 7:1 lead midway through the first frame. Wagstaff and Jennings cut the deficit but Cakici capped the opening stanza with a three-pointer to give Albania a 14:6 advantage. Cakici and Plasa stretched the gap to 10 points early in the second quarter. However four straight points from Wagstaff clipped the distance to 6 points. Albania closed the first half on a run and piled up a 35:21 advantage at the interval. The teams traded baskets throughout the third stanza however Wales could not come any closer. Moreover Albania widened the damage and enjoyed a 17-point cushion before the fourth term. Deneko nailed 5 points in a row early in the final period that marked a 21-point buffer for Albania. They never looked back afterwards finalizing an impressive victory. Deneko produced 19 points and 10 boards to lead Albanian team. Cakici had 17 points, while Permeti dropped 12 in a win. Wagstaff answered with game-high 21 points and 6 boards for Wales. Gough netted 9 points in defeat. Wales will take on Malta tomorrow, while Albania will face Scotland in Pool B.

Albania: Enkela Deneko (-76) 19+10 boards, Brikena Cakici (-80) 17, Fabiola Permeti 12
Wales: Sarah Wagstaff 21, Emma Gough 9