Eurocup web site | EUROCUP, Regular Season 2009-10, Group Analysis

30.10.2009 Spirou Basket
Belgium
   
Belgian League champion Spirou Basket is nothing but a classic team in Europe's second competition. Spirou is entering its eighth Eurocup season - something that only FMP has done so far - since the competition started in 2003. Moreover, the state-of-the-art Spiroudome hosted the then-called ULEB Cup final from 2004 to 2007. It is safe to say that Spirou is a trademark Eurocup team - and is also hoping to do better than ever. Spirou kept most of the players that won the Belgian League title last season. Jerry Johnson and Justin Hamilton are back to share the point guard duties. Johnson is a best scorer and clutch player while Hamilton is a physical guard with great determination. Spirou landed a couple of great shooters such as Nick Jacobson and Christopher Hill. Both are expected to balance Spirou's offense with their scoring skills. Dwayne Broyles will offer defense and know-how off the bench. Spirou kept its entire frontcourt that worked really well together last season. Wes Wilkinson, Len Matela, Andre Riddick - that leads the Eurocup All-time standings in rebounds, blocks and steals -, Jure Lalic and Sacha Massot. Spirou is now ready to go one step higher and challenge its best Eurocup season ever.

Turk Telekom
Turkey
   
A veteran team with experience in all kind of European club competitions - including one Euroleague appearance in 1998 -, Turk Telekom has earned a reputation as a hard-to-beat team all over the continent. In its fourth Eurocup appearance, the initial goal is none other than take one game at the time and reach as high as possible. Telekom completely renewed its roster to become even more competitive. Former Eurocup champion Demond Mallet is its new floor general, offering deep range and court sense. Veteran playmaker Tutku Acik and up-and-coming point guard Sonen Senturk will be ready to come off the bench. Serkan Erdogan and Andre Owens will be their team's scoring references. Erdogan is one of the best shooters in European basketball, a silent assasin with unlimited range. He can create his own shot or come off a screen to pull the trigger from any distance. Owens offers know-how, speed and range. Bekir Yarangume will offer help at both wings. Versatile forward Lamayn Wilson leads Telekom's frontcourt this season. A good rebounder with mobility and range, Wilson will get help from veteran centers Huseyin Besok and Kris Lang, as well as from forwards Ersin Dagli and Umit Sonkol. If head coach Murat Ozyer finds the right chemistry, Telekom has a nice combination of talent and experience that will work well this season.

Spartak St. Petersburg
Russia

Not your average Eurocup newcomer, Spartak St. Petersburg is back to the European basketball elite trying to live up to its won tradition. Spartak won the Cup Winners' Cup in 1973 and 1975 with legendary center Alexander Belov as its own superstar and comes off its best season in 15 years. The club landed Aleksandar Trifunovic as its new head coach and reloaded its roster to be ready for the challenge. Levance Fields became its starting point guard, a fast, aggressive playmaker with outstanding court vision. Former Euroleague champion Zakhar Pashutin offers experience, know-how and unlimited range at both guards, while Vasiliy Zavourev provides scoring skills and talent to the mix. Spartak brought in superb scorer Evgeny Koleshnikov, who is ready to fill the baskets at any time. Anton Yudin will see playing time at both wings off the bench. The key player has to be Yahor Meshcharakou, a well-rounded, versatile forward that always does anything his team needs to win. An all-around player, Meshcharakou will be Spartak's silent leader. Sharrod Ford is a solid addition at center due to his size, power and intensity. Roman Levter, Milovan Rakovic and Alexey Zozulin round Spartak's bench. Expect Spartak to be tough, aggressive and ready to beat anyone, anywhere.