May 24, 2012
Eurocup 2011-12, Group C analysis and quotes
ARIS BSA 2003
Aris BSAAlready a Eurocup veteran, Aris BSA 2003 enters its sixth season in the competition. But this time Vangelis Alexandris gambles on a newer, younger squad and if he wins, Aris could be back in the headlines for years to come. The rookie quintet of highly-touted scorer Adrian Oliver, promising swingman Sergio Kerusch, clever combo-guard Dan Mavraides, shot-blocking stud Sam Muldrow and local scorer Tasos Dimas represents a high-risk, high-reward proposition for Aris. But surrounded by passionate fans and several experienced teammates, these youngsters could develop fast too. Joining them are point guard Dominic James and former Euroleague champ Dimitris Verginis in the backcourt plus versatile forward Christos Tapoutos. There is surely work to be done, but there is no doubt that excitement and potential for greatness will be displayed every time Aris takes the court.


CEZ NYMBURK
CEZ Basket NymburkThe pride of Czech basketball made it all the way to the last game of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Qualifying Rounds, which says it all about the team's capabilities. A nucleus of home-grown Czech talent like do-it-all Pavel Pumprla and big man Petr Benda have found a big-time running partner the last two seasons with game-breaker Tre Simmons. New to the picture are dangerous power forward Lamayne Wilson and heady point guard Eugene Lawrence. With bench strength from the likes of Michal Kremen, Radek Necas and Ladislav Sokolovsky, Nymburk can be considered a never-say-never opponent who would surprise no one by being on its feet late in the Eurocup season.


RUDUPIS
RudupisA newcomer in the competition, Rudupis of Lithuania is ready to show that basketball in Lithuania is as healthy as ever. Coach Virginijus Seskus will be commanding a mainly young team with one clear leader, veteran Dainius Salenga, who, with plenty of European experience on his shoulders, will have to be the heart and soul of this team. Salenga will be helped on the wings by Gintaras Kadziulis and Povilas Butkevicius. The rest of the roster, formed completely by Lithuanian players, will try to show their quality with new names to the European stage like Domantas Seskus, Gediminas Orelikas or Edgaras Zelionis. Expect anything from this team that remains a question mark at this moment.


GASTERRA FLAMES
GasTerra FlamesGasTerra Flames comes back to the Eurocup for the second consecutive season ready to improve on last season's results. The Flames went 1-5 in the Eurocup last season, but rebounded to reach the Dutch league finals. Ultimately GasTerra lost one of the greatest Game 7s in basketball history – a triple-overtime thriller. From that disappointment, the Flames look to come out hot and burn the opposition this season. Veteran scorer Alex Wesby, trusty swingman Jason Dourisseau, undersized center Sergio de Randamie and three-point ace David Bell are among head coach Hakim Salem’s leaders this season. Center Avis Wyatt also figures to play a big role in the paint, while combo-guard Ties Theeuwkens is a game-changer off the bench thanks to his never-ending hustle and confidence. With true team efforts, GasTerra will look to shock the big names of the Eurocup this season.


QUOTES

Aris BSA 2003 sports director Vassilis Vourtzoumis:
"From our end we can see that the group is interesting. It looks good. We have Nymburk, longtime champion in the Czech Republic and a top team. BC Rudupis are newcomers to the Eurocup this season and we will have to do some scouting on them. I would not like to underestimate them. GasTerra Flames have been around the Eurocup for a while too, but we have to see what their roster is about. We have more than one month to prepare for Game 1. We have a young team with not much experience in Europe, but I think we have enough time to prepare and be ready for the task."

CEZ Nymburk international relations manager Jiri Zidek:
"We have a fair chance of advancing I'd say, but in no way would I underestimate any of the opponents because I have the highest respect for any team participating in the Eurocup. I think it has been proven that, year after year, the Eurocup is populated with quality teams. We have to be prepared 100 percent from the very first game. Our previous experience in the Eurocup tells us that every minute here is important."
Monday, October 10, 2011
Eurocupbasketball.com
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