February 08, 2012
Team Profile 2010-11: Lukoil Academic
Lukoil AcademicLukoil Academic Sofia of Bulgaria is one of European basketball's traditional clubs and now it aims to return to the Eurocup after a one-year absence. Lukoil won its eighth consecutive Bulgarian League title last season, leaving no doubt about its power by accumulating just four losses throughout the competition. Founded in 1947, Academic Basketball Club soon became a superpower not only in Bulgaria, but all around Europe, reaching back-to-back European Cup finals in 1958 and 1959. Academic lost both title series against ASK Riga, but was one of the first teams to shine brightly in the newborn competition. Academic remained the dominant force in Bulgaria, winning 12 titles between 1957 and 1976. Years of obscurity followed, but the club returned to the elite when Lukoil became its main sponsor and the team started developing some of Bulgaria's best young players. The team's first trophy in more than a quarter-century was the 2001-02 Bulgarian Cup, and since then Lukoil has dominated Bulgarian basketball. Lukoil reached the ULEB Cup elimination rounds four times this decade, advancing as far as the Last 16 in 2007-08. It managed to down teams like Real Madrid and AJ Milano in its ULEB Cup debut season in 2003-04. Along the way, Lukoil fans had the chance to witness unique individual performances from players like the ULEB Cup's all-time leading scorer Todor Stoykov, 2003-04 ULEB Cup MVP Priest Lauderdale and 2005-06 ULEB Cup assists champ Lamont Jones. Lukoil remained strong in Bulgaria, but missed the 2008-09 Eurocup elimination rounds and had to withdraw from the competition last season. Lukoil has accumulated an incredible 270-19 Bulgarian League record since 2003 and now tries to return to its favorite European competition with the knowledge of a well-rounded veteran, but the ambition of a newcomer.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Eurocupbasketball.com
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