Uleb
February 09, 2010
Last 16 Game 1 - January 26, 2010 - PALAU OLÍMPIC DE BADALONA
GAME PREVIEW
DKV Joventut
vs.
Aris BSA 2003
Local time: 20:45 TV CET: 20:45
Head Coaches
ALONSO, SITO
DKV Joventut head coach
"It is a complicated moment for us to face a big team like Aris BSA. We have some health issues with Antonio Bueno or Uros Tripkovic, whom I'd like to be at 100 percent for an important game like this. But we are also sure that the players that will fill in for them like Jelinek or Franch will step up to compete against such a quality team. They are an experienced team, veterans that know how to face several situations in European games. Their outside players have lots of quality, and they have also Andy Betts, who I am sure will play with special motivation. That, and the fact that they have changed coaches recently implying a slight change in the use of players, can be a threat for us. Anyway, we have to focus on our game and fight for the 40 minutes."
BLATT, DAVID
Aris BSA 2003 head coach
"DKV Joventut has got a very important tradition, both in the Spanish League and in European competitions. So, this game will be a real challenge for us. DKV Joventut likes to play in up-tempo, especially at home, and score easy points. They can be very good in defense, too. Aris has had very good results in the Eurocup so far. I believe that my players will fight hard and try to start off this round with a victory."
Players
PAUNIC, IVAN
Aris BSA 2003 guard
"Our group is very strong and competitive. DKV Joventut is a very good team. Two friends and compatriots of mine, Tripkovic and Bogdanovic, play there and they are doing very well. We will try to put a lot of energy and be focused in the game. We have to give the maximum, in order to win there."
Two historic teams in European competitions start Last 16 Group I with a big showdown when DKV Joventut welcomes Aris BSA 2003 on Tuesday night. Joventut finished second in regular season Group D and already won the competition in 2008. Aris, which won Group C, made it to the ULEB Cup final back in 2006, when it lost against Dynamo Moscow. Aris switched coaches before the start of this new phase bringing David Blatt in as the new boss. Joventut is facing injury problems, as center Antonio Bueno and sharp shooter Uros Tripkovic missed their team's Spanish League game this weekend. Joventut will have a limited backcourt rotation if Tripkovic remains sidelined. Kris Valters and Mario Fernandez will share the point guard duties while Clay Tucker will see most of the minutes at shooting guard due to his all-around scoring skills. Valters will have an interesting matchup against Aaron Miles in the battle to control the game tempo. Meanwhile, Fernandez needs his on-the-ball defensive skills against Kee Kee Clark. Nikos Hatzivrettas will use his experience and shooting against Tucker. Aris hopes for another good game from small forward Jeremy Richardson. Pere Tomas and Christian Eyenga will have the tough mission to guard him. If Bueno is out, Edu Hernandez-Sonseca and Henk Norel are expected to start for Joventut, with Alain Koffi offering power and athleticism off the bench. Luka Bogdanovic can change any game with his unlimited shooting range. Bogdanovic has the tough mission to guard another experienced player with high basketball IQ in Michalis Kakiouzis. Hernandez-Sonseca is expected to see minutes against former Joventut center Andy Betts and Koffi will be ready for a physical battle against Demos Dikoudis. Joventut must play up-tempo and run its offense through Tucker to get its first Last 16 win. Aris must get good games from Miles and Richardson and control the defensive rebound through Betts and Dikoudis. Expect a big showdown with big Group I implications in Badalona.

REFEREES: Paolo Taurino, Luis Lopes, Radomir Vojinovic
Monday, January 25, 2010
Eurocupbasketball.com
Stats Comparisions: Teams and players
Team Aver.     Team Leaders Head-to-Head Team Leaders     Team Aver.
80.8 Pts. TUCKER, CLAY 14.0 Pts. 14.7 RICHARDSON, JEREMY Pts. 82.0
47.58 % 2FG% FERNANDEZ, MARIO 75.00 % 2FG% 63.16 % KAKIOUZIS, MICHAILIS 2FG% 52.22 %
42.31 % 3FG% NOREL, HENK 100.00 % 3FG% 100.00 % MILES, AARON 3FG% 48.39 %
33.2 Rebounds BOGDANOVIC, LUKA 4.5 Rebounds 5.2 BETTS, ANDY Rebounds 30.7
18.7 Assist. VALTERS, KRISTAPS 6.0 Assist. 2.3 MILES, AARON Assist. 12.5
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