reuf vatreni
26-09-06, 21:54
After 5 years Regional Basketball Competition, formerly known as Adriatic Goodyear League, changed its name to NLB League because of new sponzor Nova Ljubljanska Banka. The new company is entering the sponsorship structure for the next five years period.
Last year there were 5 teams from Serbia and Montenegro, 4 teams from Slovenia, 3 teams from Croatia and 2 teams from BiH. Due to the new political situation (Montenegro became independant state), distribution of teams has changed a bit. Now, 4 teams will be from Serbia, 4 will be from Croatia (gained one spot because of results from last year), 3 teams will be from Slovenia (due to bad results from last year they've lost one spot), 2 teams will be from BiH and one team will be from Montenegro.
Most important change is related to the final stage of the competition. After 3 Final Four Tournaments and 2 Final Eight Tournaments, organization board has decided that from this year on, there will be no Final Tournament. Instead, at the end of the regular season, a playoffs will be played, in which 1st placed team (from regular season) will play against 4th placed, and 2nd placed team will face 3rd placed (semifinals, best of two) and the winners of these games will play in finals (best of two), where the home court advantage will have the better placed team in regular season.
List of teams:
Bosna ASA BHT ***8211; BiH
Budu***263;nost ***8211; Montenegro
Cibona ***8211; Croatia
Crvena Zvezda ***8211; Serbia
FMP ***381;eleznik ***8211; Serbia
Geoplin Slovan ***8211; Slovenia
Helios Dom***382;ale ***8211; Slovenia
Hemofarm Vr***353;ac ***8211; Serbia
Partizan ***8211; Serbia
Split CO ***8211; Croatia
***352;iroki Eronet ***8211; BiH
Union Olimpija ***8211; Slovenia
Zadar ***8211; Croatia
Zagreb - Croatia
Previous winners:
2001/2002 - Union Olimpija
2002/2003 ***8211; Zadar
2003/2004 ***8211; FMP ***381;eleznik
2004/2005 ***8211; Hemofarm
2005/2006 ***8211; FMP ***381;eleznik
Team preview:
BOSNA ASA BHT ***8211; BIH
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/BosnaLogo2007.gif http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/bosna_venue.jpg
Players left:
Nenad Markovi***263; (retired)
Tomislav Tomovi***263; (Panionios)
Sini***353;a Kova***269;evi***263; (Vojvodina)
Kasib Powel
Aleksandar Damjanovi***263; (Apollon)
Nicolas Williams
Jasmin Perkovi***263; (AEK)
Lance Williams (AEL Larissa)
Players arrived:
Jo***353;ko Garma (Zagreb)
Jaime Lloreda (Parque Lefevre)
Clarence Gilbert (Daru***353;afaka)
Darko Sokolov (Vardar)
Mirza Ahmetba***353;i***263; (Br***269;ko)
Andrija ***268;iri***263; (Cherkasy)
Team that had great ambitions last year, as they were hosts of final 8 tournament and they believed in big success, but failed to go over first hurdle. They've lost in their first game of the tournament vs. Crvena Zvezda, and that represented great dissapointment for the players, coaching stuff, public and sponsors aswell. This year things will be a bit different, as they have changed their team a lot. Leader of the team, Nenad Markovi***263; retired, one of the best players last season in Goodyear league, Lance Williams, left the team, aswell as Aleksandar Damjanovi***263;, Jasmin Perkovi***263; and Nick Williams. New players are Jo***353;ko Garma (came from Zagreb), Jamie Llored, Panama's national team player (will be very interesting to watch this player, as he is relatively agressive player, some kind of «bad man» image, as he was involved in some fight with his former teammates, on and of the court). Clarence Gilbert is relatively unknown player, but with Vasiljevi***263; and Bav***269;i***263; (this years NBA Draft pick) it is still a team that will be hard to beat, especially at their home court, and they also have potential for some surprises away from home, but all in all, I don't expect them to go higher than 6-8th place.
My prediction: 6-8th place
BUDU***262;NOST ***8211; MONTENEGRO
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/Buducnost2007.gif http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/buducnost_venue.jpg
Wellknown team is back...Although it is not much left from the old days. Very young and inexpirienced team, with just a few know names like f.e. Slavko Vrane***353; (229cm). But, there are some upcoming players to watch out for, like Nenad Mijatovi***263;, ***381;arko Rako***269;evi***263;, Vladimir Da***353;i***263;, who all played well in younger selections of former SCG team on different European Championships. In this season Budu***263;nost is one of those so called outsider teams that will fight to avoid last place, but with young players you can never be so sure. Still...
my prediction: 12-14th place.
CIBONA ***8211; CROATIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/CibonaLogo2007.gif http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/cibona_venue.jpg
Players left:
Bennett Davison (Vidivici)
James Scoonie Penn (Olympiakos)
Damir Ran***269;i***263; (Panellinios)
Damir Markota (Milwaukee)
Mate Skelin (Le Mans)
Jamel Brown
Ivan Perin***269;i***263;
Players arrived:
Brent Wright (Ostende)
Marijan Mance (Zagreb)
Bari***353;a Krasi***263; (Cedevita)
Jamal McCullough (Dinamo St. Petersburg)
Vedran Morovi***263; (Vidivici)
Marton Bader (Manresa)
Goran Vrbanc (Rijeka)
Like every year, main target for this team is to win this regional competition, but somehow they never manage to reach it. They played all 5 seasons so far, but manage to reach finals only once (2003/2004 in Zagreb) where they were beatened by FMP ***381;eleznik. Departure of Penn is a big blow for them, but they signed experienced J. McColough, who is supposed to replace him well. Davison, Marceli***263;, Skelin, Ran***269;i***263; have also left the team. New additions are Goran Vrbanc (Rijeka) and Brent Wright, MVP of ULEB CUP 2 years ago. They've kept Davor Kus in team and they've signed Bari***353;a Krasi***263;, Marijan Mance, Vedran Morovi***263; and Marton Bader. It is once again strong team that deserves lot of respect, but as always, they are making some calculations of their own, because of their participation in Euroleague. I do expect to see them among the Top 5 but I am not quite sure if they can go all the way.
My prediction: 2nd-5th place
CRVENA ZVEZDA ***8211; SERBIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/logo_czvezda_x150.gif http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/zvezda_venue.jpg
Players left:
Goran Jeretin (St. Petersburg)
Vujadin Suboti***263; (Braunschweig)
Milko Bjelica
Vladislav Dragojlovi***263;
Gerrod Henderson
Miroslav Rai***269;evi***263; (Dynamo Moscow)
Players arrived:
Vrbica Stefanov
Mirko Kova***269; (OKK Beograd)
Nemanja Aleksandrov (FMP)
They've lost Jeretin, Suboti***263;, Bjelica, Henderson and O'Bannon but...New additions are Vrbica Stefanov, Billy Thomas and Petar Popovi***263; and together with Gurovi***263;, Radivojevi***263;, Anti***263; they do have potential for great success. There is still a legal issue going on between Red Star and FMP ***381;eleznik, about signing of great talent Nemanja Aleksandrov ,but even FMP doesn't wan't to let him go, it looks like he will join Crvena Zvezda at the end of the story. They are for sure one of the main favourites for the title and they do have the potential to go until he end.
my prediction: 1-4th place
FMP ***381;ELEZNIK ***8211; SERBIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/logo_fmp_x150.gif http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/fmp_venue.jpg
Players left:
Marko Marinovi***263; (Girona)
Nikola Vasi***263; (Alicante)
Mile Ili***263; (New Jersey)
Nemanja Aleksandrov (Crvena zvezda)
Players arrived:
Marko ***272;erasimovi***263; (Zdravlje Leskovac)
Ivan ***381;igeranovi***263; (Egronom)
Nemanja Proti***263; (Borac ***268;a***269;ak)
Two-times champions, but never on the list of top favourites. Every year the same story. They lose two-three players, like this years departure of Mile Ili***263; (New Jersey) and Aleksandrov (Crvena Zvezda) and they usually don't sign players from «outside», except players from their own youth programme, the best one in the region. This year they gained another great talent, Dragan Labovi***263;, one of the best players on this years U20 European Championship. Keyword for this team is «teamplay» and great selection of young players gives them another opportunity to be among the top teams. Prediction: 5-8th place, but have in mind that they can be possible suprise and reach the final stage.
my prediction: 5th-8th place
GEOPLIN SLOVAN ***8211; SLOVENIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/logoslovan_x150.jpg
Players left:
Sa***353;a Don***269;i***263; (Helios)
Goran Dragi***269; (Tau Vitoria/Murcia)
Vjekoslav Petrovi***269; (Turow)
Miha Zupan (Union Olimpija)
Vlado Pa***353;ali***263; (Turow)
Stipe Modri***269;
Vladan Jocovi***263;
Ante Devi***263; (Zagreb)
Vladimir Joji***269;
Ronell Taylor
Players arrived:
Aleksandar Jev***269;i***269; (Pivovarna La***353;ko)
Stefan Nikoli***263; (Egronom Ni***353;)
Chaz Carr (Azoty Unia Tarnow)
Maurice Latham (University of Campbell)
Milo***353; Paravinja (Telekom Bonn)
This team is even younger than last year. Don***269;i***263;, Pa***353;ali***263;, Modri***263; have left the team together with one of the most prospective players Slovenia's Goran Dragi***269;. Results of this team will depend a lot from the new signed Americans (Chaz Carr, Maurice Latham) and from the expirienced players Milo***353; Paravinja and Aleksandar Jevd***382;i***263;. A chance to show their potential will for sure get Jaka Klobu***269;ar (19 years) and Mirza Begi***263; (21 years). They are one of the weakest teams in this competition and will for sure fight to avoid the last place. Every win for them will be like title.
my prediction 12-14th place.
HELIOS DOM***381;ALE ***8211; SLOVENIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/logo_helios.jpg
players left:
***381;eljko Zagorac (Ural Great)
Domen Lorbek (Union Olimpija)
Mujo Tuljkovi***263;
Klemen Lorbek
Marko Dimnik
Du***353;ko Ma***382;ibrada
players arrived:
Smiljan Pavi***269; (Vojvodina)
Sa***353;a Don***269;i***263; (Geoplin Slovan)
***381;iga Zagorc (Zagorje Banka Zasavje)
Alja***382; Jan***382;a (Telekom Bonn)
Matev***382; Koro***353;ec (Lastovke)
Another club from Slovenia, team that played its first season last year, «pushed out» Pivovarna La***353;ko and took over the title «number 3 in Slovenia». Brothers Domen and Klemen Lorbek went to Olimpija, young center ***381;eljko Zagorac to Russia, Mujo Tuljkovi***263; (Bosna) but they signed experienced Sa***353;a Don***269;i***263; and Smiljan Pavi***269;. Robert Troha and Jure Mo***269;nik stayed with the team but all in all the don't look too good. They could be better placed then Slovan, Budu***263;nost or Split but all the other teams are way in front.
my prediction: 10-12th place.
HEMOFARM VR***352;AC ***8211; SERBIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/hemofarm_venue.jpg
players left:
Zlatko Boli***263;
Savo ***272;ikanovi***263;
Rashad Wright (Telindus Ostende)
Robert Conley
Slavko Stefanovi***263;
players arrived:
Predrag ***352;uput (Partizan)
Even that Boli***263;, Conley and Wright left the team, Hemofarm is still one of the top 6 teams of this league. Bojan Baki***263; could be even better that last season, Predrag ***352;uput came from Partizan, Neboj***353;a Joksimovi***263; is one of the best shooters in the league, and the also have expirienced Milenko Topi***263; under the basket. Team is yet to be defined, they are still searching for additional signings (Americans probably) to add depth and quallity into their squad. No doubt that the team will be among the top 8 this season and they could also surprise at the end. For now...
my predicition: 4-6th place
PARTIZAN ***8211; SERBIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/partizan-logo.gif http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/partizan_venue.jpg
players left:
Predrag ***352;uput (Hemofarm)
Dejan Milojevi***263; (Pamesa)
Nenad Stefanovi***263; (OKK Beograd)
Aleksandar Smiljani***263;
players arrived:
Predrag Drobnjak (Tau Vitoria)
Milenko Tepi***263; (Vojvodina)
Du***353;an Kecman (Kijev)
From their main weapons, Partizan lost «only» their best player Dejan Milojevi***263;. But, they signed Predrag Drobnjak, who can replace him well, and Kosta Perovi***263; can only improve in this season. They have no right player on the position «4», as Dejan Borovnjak is not the right solution, but Luka Bogdanovi***263; can fill in that position if needed. Outside line with Uro***353; Tripkovi***263;, Du***353;an Kecman and Vonteego Cummings looks very good indeed, and they also have an expert on the bench, Du***353;ko Vujo***353;evi***263;. Partizan is in the same position as Cibona, regarding Euroleague, and that is the main reason why they still wait for the Regional League Title, although they were very closed last year, when they lost the final match vs. FMP in Sarajevo. They can beat everyone and win the title this year, but key words remain the same like every year: «motivation and interest» of winning it.
my prediction: 1st-3rd place
SPLIT CO ***8211; CROATIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/logo_split_x150.jpg http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/split_venue.jpg
players left:
Teo ***268;izmi***263; (retired)
Domagoj Vidakovi***263;
***352;ime ***352;pralja
Jovan Marinovi***263;
Milan Bre***269;i***263;
Antonio Bili***263;
Curtis Millage
Duane Woodward
players arrived:
Damjan Rude***353; (Ostende)
Jure Lozan***269;i***263; (Svjetlost Brod)
Nikola Gaurina (Dubrovnik)
Marko Car (***352;anac Karlovac)
Otis Hill (Nahariya)
Curtis Stinson (Iowa State University)
They are back, the «kindergarden from Split»...Their coach Veljko Mr***353;i***263;, wellknown Croatian player, got the chance to be in charge of former European Champions. From old faces in Split are Hrvoje Peri***263;, Franko Ka***353;tropil and Mateo Ked***382;o who will play the main role in this team. Damjan Rude***382; came from Belgium, and now has a chance to prove his potential. There are also two Americans, to «help wih the kids», Curtis Stinson (playmaker) and Otis Hill (power forward). Other young players from this team will have their first season and nobody expects much from them, but to try and avoid last place.
my prediction: 12-14th place.
***352;IROKI ERONET ***8211; BIH
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/logosiroki_x150.jpg http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/siroki_venue.jpg
players left:
Martin Vanjak (retired)
Josip Vrankovi***263; (retired)
Mladen Gligora (Cedevita)
Mile Gali***263; (Grude)
Boris D***382;idi***263; (KAO Dramas)
Keith Bean
Marko Piplovi***263;
players arrived:
Sini***353;a ***352;temberger (Zadar)
***352;ime ***352;pralja (Split)
Damon Stringer (Union Olimpija)
Andrija ***352;ola (Grude)
Tomislav Ramljak (from a loan in Posu***353;je)
Instead of Martin Vanjak, came Sini***353;a Stemberger and Joka Vrankovi***263; should be replaced by ***352;ime ***352;pralj from Zadar. Vedran Princ already proved his quality and Stanko Bara***263; should become first center. New team aswell as new coach Edi D***382;elalija don't have any expectations but to play well and try to win some games. Judging by the quality of this team, they should end somewhere around 10th place, and we should have in mind that they are capable of surprise on their home court, where they can beat almost any team from this league.
my prediction: 9-11th place
UNION OLIMPIJA ***8211; SLOVENIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/logounion_x150.gif
players left:
Yotam Halperin (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
Dragi***353;a Drobnjak (Turow)
Damon Stringer (***352;iroki ERONET)
Marko Antonijevi***269; (CAB Madeira Funchal)
Marino Ba***382;dari***263; (Menorca)
Slobodan Ljubotina (Turow)
Szymon Szewczyk (Legea Scofati)
Ernest Novak
Jimmy Oliver
Slobodan Bo***382;ovi***263; (Apollon)
players arrived:
Ender Arslan (Efes Pilsen)
Dejan Hohler (Rogla)
Marko Mili***269; (VidiVici)
Saulius Kuzminskas (Gravelines)
Sandi ***268;ebular (Alpos Kemoplast)
Domen Lorbek (Helios)
Miha Zupan (Geoplin Slovan)
Christian Maraker (University Pacific Tigers)
In Tivoli everything changed, from their coach (Tomo Mahori***269; came back), to the team (new signings are Ender Arslan, Turkeys national team player, Marko Mili***269; and Ivica Jurkovi***263;, Saulous Kuzminskas, center from Litva, Miha Zupan from Slovan and Christian Maraker, American player). These players together with Sa***353;a O***382;bolt, Hasan Rizvi***263; and Temmu Rannikk build a team that just have to be placed among top 4. The only question is the chemistry between new and old players, because it is not always a good thing to change a lot, but the quality of Olipmijas players is not questionable. They will have a strong bench, but just like other teams that participate in Euroleague, they will give a lot of playing time to younger players like brothers Lorbek.
my prediction: 2-5th place.
ZADAR ***8211; CROATIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/logo_zadar.gif http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/zadar_venue.jpg
players left:
Damir Tvrdi***263; (retired)
Sini***353;a ***352;temberger (***352;iroki Brijeg)
Roko ***268;ikli***263; (Borik)
Paolo Ti***269;ina (Borik)
Andrae Patterson
Dean Oliver
players arrived:
Vladimir Anzulovi***263; (Iraklis)
Carl English (VidiVici)
They didn't change a lot, Rok Stip***269;evi***263; and Vladimir Anzulovi***263; replaced Dean Oliver, and Carl English came to replace Sini***353;a ***352;temberger. All the other players, like Vladovi***263;, Johnson, Ge***269;evski, ***268;olak, Bara***263; and Lali***263; are «old» players. Zadar is the second best team in Croatia and the only team from Croatia that won this league. They are for sure among the teams that could surprise at the end.
my prediction 5-8th place.
ZAGREB - CROATIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/logozagreb_x150.gif http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/zagreb_venue.jpg
players left:
Marijan Mance (Cibona)
Jo***353;ko Garma (Bosna ASA BHT)
Martin Previ***353;i***263; (Dubrava)
Mladen Erjavec
D***382;evad Alihod***382;i***263;
players arrived:
Robert Rubin (Hermes Analitica)
Aleksej Ne***353;ovi***263; (Crvena zvezda
Except Jo***353;ko Garma, Marijan Mance, Erjavec and Alihod***382;i***263; no other players have left the team. Zagreb improved their outside line by signing Aleksej Ne***353;iovi***263;, who played for Crvena Zvezda and with Hrvoje Kova***269;evi***263;, who played a great season in Slavonski Brod. Dwayne Broyles can also be considered as new player, as last season he was injured most of the time. Kruno Simon, Nikola Garma and expirienced player Gordan Zadravec stayed in the team, and we can expect great play from Ante Tomi***263; who spent a summer with Croatian National Basketball Team. «The Ants» could be a pleasent surprise, as they do have the potential to be placed among the top 8 teams.
my prediction 7-10th place.
Final Standings prediction:
1. Crvena Zvezda ***8211; Serbia
2. Partizan ***8211; Serbia
3. Cibona ***8211; Croatia
4. Union Olimpija ***8211; Slovenia
5. Zadar ***8211; Croatia
6. FMP ***381;eleznik ***8211; Serbia
7. Hemofarm Vr***353;ac ***8211; Serbia
8. Bosna ASA BHT ***8211; BiH
9. Zagreb - Croatia
10. ***352;iroki Eronet ***8211; BiH
11. Helios Dom***382;ale ***8211; Slovenia
12. Budu***263;nost ***8211; Montenegro
13. Split CO ***8211; Croatia
14. Geoplin Slovan ***8211; Slovenia
ENJOY THE SEASON....
Last year there were 5 teams from Serbia and Montenegro, 4 teams from Slovenia, 3 teams from Croatia and 2 teams from BiH. Due to the new political situation (Montenegro became independant state), distribution of teams has changed a bit. Now, 4 teams will be from Serbia, 4 will be from Croatia (gained one spot because of results from last year), 3 teams will be from Slovenia (due to bad results from last year they've lost one spot), 2 teams will be from BiH and one team will be from Montenegro.
Most important change is related to the final stage of the competition. After 3 Final Four Tournaments and 2 Final Eight Tournaments, organization board has decided that from this year on, there will be no Final Tournament. Instead, at the end of the regular season, a playoffs will be played, in which 1st placed team (from regular season) will play against 4th placed, and 2nd placed team will face 3rd placed (semifinals, best of two) and the winners of these games will play in finals (best of two), where the home court advantage will have the better placed team in regular season.
List of teams:
Bosna ASA BHT ***8211; BiH
Budu***263;nost ***8211; Montenegro
Cibona ***8211; Croatia
Crvena Zvezda ***8211; Serbia
FMP ***381;eleznik ***8211; Serbia
Geoplin Slovan ***8211; Slovenia
Helios Dom***382;ale ***8211; Slovenia
Hemofarm Vr***353;ac ***8211; Serbia
Partizan ***8211; Serbia
Split CO ***8211; Croatia
***352;iroki Eronet ***8211; BiH
Union Olimpija ***8211; Slovenia
Zadar ***8211; Croatia
Zagreb - Croatia
Previous winners:
2001/2002 - Union Olimpija
2002/2003 ***8211; Zadar
2003/2004 ***8211; FMP ***381;eleznik
2004/2005 ***8211; Hemofarm
2005/2006 ***8211; FMP ***381;eleznik
Team preview:
BOSNA ASA BHT ***8211; BIH
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/BosnaLogo2007.gif http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/bosna_venue.jpg
Players left:
Nenad Markovi***263; (retired)
Tomislav Tomovi***263; (Panionios)
Sini***353;a Kova***269;evi***263; (Vojvodina)
Kasib Powel
Aleksandar Damjanovi***263; (Apollon)
Nicolas Williams
Jasmin Perkovi***263; (AEK)
Lance Williams (AEL Larissa)
Players arrived:
Jo***353;ko Garma (Zagreb)
Jaime Lloreda (Parque Lefevre)
Clarence Gilbert (Daru***353;afaka)
Darko Sokolov (Vardar)
Mirza Ahmetba***353;i***263; (Br***269;ko)
Andrija ***268;iri***263; (Cherkasy)
Team that had great ambitions last year, as they were hosts of final 8 tournament and they believed in big success, but failed to go over first hurdle. They've lost in their first game of the tournament vs. Crvena Zvezda, and that represented great dissapointment for the players, coaching stuff, public and sponsors aswell. This year things will be a bit different, as they have changed their team a lot. Leader of the team, Nenad Markovi***263; retired, one of the best players last season in Goodyear league, Lance Williams, left the team, aswell as Aleksandar Damjanovi***263;, Jasmin Perkovi***263; and Nick Williams. New players are Jo***353;ko Garma (came from Zagreb), Jamie Llored, Panama's national team player (will be very interesting to watch this player, as he is relatively agressive player, some kind of «bad man» image, as he was involved in some fight with his former teammates, on and of the court). Clarence Gilbert is relatively unknown player, but with Vasiljevi***263; and Bav***269;i***263; (this years NBA Draft pick) it is still a team that will be hard to beat, especially at their home court, and they also have potential for some surprises away from home, but all in all, I don't expect them to go higher than 6-8th place.
My prediction: 6-8th place
BUDU***262;NOST ***8211; MONTENEGRO
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/Buducnost2007.gif http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/buducnost_venue.jpg
Wellknown team is back...Although it is not much left from the old days. Very young and inexpirienced team, with just a few know names like f.e. Slavko Vrane***353; (229cm). But, there are some upcoming players to watch out for, like Nenad Mijatovi***263;, ***381;arko Rako***269;evi***263;, Vladimir Da***353;i***263;, who all played well in younger selections of former SCG team on different European Championships. In this season Budu***263;nost is one of those so called outsider teams that will fight to avoid last place, but with young players you can never be so sure. Still...
my prediction: 12-14th place.
CIBONA ***8211; CROATIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/CibonaLogo2007.gif http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/cibona_venue.jpg
Players left:
Bennett Davison (Vidivici)
James Scoonie Penn (Olympiakos)
Damir Ran***269;i***263; (Panellinios)
Damir Markota (Milwaukee)
Mate Skelin (Le Mans)
Jamel Brown
Ivan Perin***269;i***263;
Players arrived:
Brent Wright (Ostende)
Marijan Mance (Zagreb)
Bari***353;a Krasi***263; (Cedevita)
Jamal McCullough (Dinamo St. Petersburg)
Vedran Morovi***263; (Vidivici)
Marton Bader (Manresa)
Goran Vrbanc (Rijeka)
Like every year, main target for this team is to win this regional competition, but somehow they never manage to reach it. They played all 5 seasons so far, but manage to reach finals only once (2003/2004 in Zagreb) where they were beatened by FMP ***381;eleznik. Departure of Penn is a big blow for them, but they signed experienced J. McColough, who is supposed to replace him well. Davison, Marceli***263;, Skelin, Ran***269;i***263; have also left the team. New additions are Goran Vrbanc (Rijeka) and Brent Wright, MVP of ULEB CUP 2 years ago. They've kept Davor Kus in team and they've signed Bari***353;a Krasi***263;, Marijan Mance, Vedran Morovi***263; and Marton Bader. It is once again strong team that deserves lot of respect, but as always, they are making some calculations of their own, because of their participation in Euroleague. I do expect to see them among the Top 5 but I am not quite sure if they can go all the way.
My prediction: 2nd-5th place
CRVENA ZVEZDA ***8211; SERBIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/logo_czvezda_x150.gif http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/zvezda_venue.jpg
Players left:
Goran Jeretin (St. Petersburg)
Vujadin Suboti***263; (Braunschweig)
Milko Bjelica
Vladislav Dragojlovi***263;
Gerrod Henderson
Miroslav Rai***269;evi***263; (Dynamo Moscow)
Players arrived:
Vrbica Stefanov
Mirko Kova***269; (OKK Beograd)
Nemanja Aleksandrov (FMP)
They've lost Jeretin, Suboti***263;, Bjelica, Henderson and O'Bannon but...New additions are Vrbica Stefanov, Billy Thomas and Petar Popovi***263; and together with Gurovi***263;, Radivojevi***263;, Anti***263; they do have potential for great success. There is still a legal issue going on between Red Star and FMP ***381;eleznik, about signing of great talent Nemanja Aleksandrov ,but even FMP doesn't wan't to let him go, it looks like he will join Crvena Zvezda at the end of the story. They are for sure one of the main favourites for the title and they do have the potential to go until he end.
my prediction: 1-4th place
FMP ***381;ELEZNIK ***8211; SERBIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/logo_fmp_x150.gif http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/fmp_venue.jpg
Players left:
Marko Marinovi***263; (Girona)
Nikola Vasi***263; (Alicante)
Mile Ili***263; (New Jersey)
Nemanja Aleksandrov (Crvena zvezda)
Players arrived:
Marko ***272;erasimovi***263; (Zdravlje Leskovac)
Ivan ***381;igeranovi***263; (Egronom)
Nemanja Proti***263; (Borac ***268;a***269;ak)
Two-times champions, but never on the list of top favourites. Every year the same story. They lose two-three players, like this years departure of Mile Ili***263; (New Jersey) and Aleksandrov (Crvena Zvezda) and they usually don't sign players from «outside», except players from their own youth programme, the best one in the region. This year they gained another great talent, Dragan Labovi***263;, one of the best players on this years U20 European Championship. Keyword for this team is «teamplay» and great selection of young players gives them another opportunity to be among the top teams. Prediction: 5-8th place, but have in mind that they can be possible suprise and reach the final stage.
my prediction: 5th-8th place
GEOPLIN SLOVAN ***8211; SLOVENIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/logoslovan_x150.jpg
Players left:
Sa***353;a Don***269;i***263; (Helios)
Goran Dragi***269; (Tau Vitoria/Murcia)
Vjekoslav Petrovi***269; (Turow)
Miha Zupan (Union Olimpija)
Vlado Pa***353;ali***263; (Turow)
Stipe Modri***269;
Vladan Jocovi***263;
Ante Devi***263; (Zagreb)
Vladimir Joji***269;
Ronell Taylor
Players arrived:
Aleksandar Jev***269;i***269; (Pivovarna La***353;ko)
Stefan Nikoli***263; (Egronom Ni***353;)
Chaz Carr (Azoty Unia Tarnow)
Maurice Latham (University of Campbell)
Milo***353; Paravinja (Telekom Bonn)
This team is even younger than last year. Don***269;i***263;, Pa***353;ali***263;, Modri***263; have left the team together with one of the most prospective players Slovenia's Goran Dragi***269;. Results of this team will depend a lot from the new signed Americans (Chaz Carr, Maurice Latham) and from the expirienced players Milo***353; Paravinja and Aleksandar Jevd***382;i***263;. A chance to show their potential will for sure get Jaka Klobu***269;ar (19 years) and Mirza Begi***263; (21 years). They are one of the weakest teams in this competition and will for sure fight to avoid the last place. Every win for them will be like title.
my prediction 12-14th place.
HELIOS DOM***381;ALE ***8211; SLOVENIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/logo_helios.jpg
players left:
***381;eljko Zagorac (Ural Great)
Domen Lorbek (Union Olimpija)
Mujo Tuljkovi***263;
Klemen Lorbek
Marko Dimnik
Du***353;ko Ma***382;ibrada
players arrived:
Smiljan Pavi***269; (Vojvodina)
Sa***353;a Don***269;i***263; (Geoplin Slovan)
***381;iga Zagorc (Zagorje Banka Zasavje)
Alja***382; Jan***382;a (Telekom Bonn)
Matev***382; Koro***353;ec (Lastovke)
Another club from Slovenia, team that played its first season last year, «pushed out» Pivovarna La***353;ko and took over the title «number 3 in Slovenia». Brothers Domen and Klemen Lorbek went to Olimpija, young center ***381;eljko Zagorac to Russia, Mujo Tuljkovi***263; (Bosna) but they signed experienced Sa***353;a Don***269;i***263; and Smiljan Pavi***269;. Robert Troha and Jure Mo***269;nik stayed with the team but all in all the don't look too good. They could be better placed then Slovan, Budu***263;nost or Split but all the other teams are way in front.
my prediction: 10-12th place.
HEMOFARM VR***352;AC ***8211; SERBIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/hemofarm_venue.jpg
players left:
Zlatko Boli***263;
Savo ***272;ikanovi***263;
Rashad Wright (Telindus Ostende)
Robert Conley
Slavko Stefanovi***263;
players arrived:
Predrag ***352;uput (Partizan)
Even that Boli***263;, Conley and Wright left the team, Hemofarm is still one of the top 6 teams of this league. Bojan Baki***263; could be even better that last season, Predrag ***352;uput came from Partizan, Neboj***353;a Joksimovi***263; is one of the best shooters in the league, and the also have expirienced Milenko Topi***263; under the basket. Team is yet to be defined, they are still searching for additional signings (Americans probably) to add depth and quallity into their squad. No doubt that the team will be among the top 8 this season and they could also surprise at the end. For now...
my predicition: 4-6th place
PARTIZAN ***8211; SERBIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/partizan-logo.gif http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/partizan_venue.jpg
players left:
Predrag ***352;uput (Hemofarm)
Dejan Milojevi***263; (Pamesa)
Nenad Stefanovi***263; (OKK Beograd)
Aleksandar Smiljani***263;
players arrived:
Predrag Drobnjak (Tau Vitoria)
Milenko Tepi***263; (Vojvodina)
Du***353;an Kecman (Kijev)
From their main weapons, Partizan lost «only» their best player Dejan Milojevi***263;. But, they signed Predrag Drobnjak, who can replace him well, and Kosta Perovi***263; can only improve in this season. They have no right player on the position «4», as Dejan Borovnjak is not the right solution, but Luka Bogdanovi***263; can fill in that position if needed. Outside line with Uro***353; Tripkovi***263;, Du***353;an Kecman and Vonteego Cummings looks very good indeed, and they also have an expert on the bench, Du***353;ko Vujo***353;evi***263;. Partizan is in the same position as Cibona, regarding Euroleague, and that is the main reason why they still wait for the Regional League Title, although they were very closed last year, when they lost the final match vs. FMP in Sarajevo. They can beat everyone and win the title this year, but key words remain the same like every year: «motivation and interest» of winning it.
my prediction: 1st-3rd place
SPLIT CO ***8211; CROATIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/logo_split_x150.jpg http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/split_venue.jpg
players left:
Teo ***268;izmi***263; (retired)
Domagoj Vidakovi***263;
***352;ime ***352;pralja
Jovan Marinovi***263;
Milan Bre***269;i***263;
Antonio Bili***263;
Curtis Millage
Duane Woodward
players arrived:
Damjan Rude***353; (Ostende)
Jure Lozan***269;i***263; (Svjetlost Brod)
Nikola Gaurina (Dubrovnik)
Marko Car (***352;anac Karlovac)
Otis Hill (Nahariya)
Curtis Stinson (Iowa State University)
They are back, the «kindergarden from Split»...Their coach Veljko Mr***353;i***263;, wellknown Croatian player, got the chance to be in charge of former European Champions. From old faces in Split are Hrvoje Peri***263;, Franko Ka***353;tropil and Mateo Ked***382;o who will play the main role in this team. Damjan Rude***382; came from Belgium, and now has a chance to prove his potential. There are also two Americans, to «help wih the kids», Curtis Stinson (playmaker) and Otis Hill (power forward). Other young players from this team will have their first season and nobody expects much from them, but to try and avoid last place.
my prediction: 12-14th place.
***352;IROKI ERONET ***8211; BIH
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/logosiroki_x150.jpg http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/siroki_venue.jpg
players left:
Martin Vanjak (retired)
Josip Vrankovi***263; (retired)
Mladen Gligora (Cedevita)
Mile Gali***263; (Grude)
Boris D***382;idi***263; (KAO Dramas)
Keith Bean
Marko Piplovi***263;
players arrived:
Sini***353;a ***352;temberger (Zadar)
***352;ime ***352;pralja (Split)
Damon Stringer (Union Olimpija)
Andrija ***352;ola (Grude)
Tomislav Ramljak (from a loan in Posu***353;je)
Instead of Martin Vanjak, came Sini***353;a Stemberger and Joka Vrankovi***263; should be replaced by ***352;ime ***352;pralj from Zadar. Vedran Princ already proved his quality and Stanko Bara***263; should become first center. New team aswell as new coach Edi D***382;elalija don't have any expectations but to play well and try to win some games. Judging by the quality of this team, they should end somewhere around 10th place, and we should have in mind that they are capable of surprise on their home court, where they can beat almost any team from this league.
my prediction: 9-11th place
UNION OLIMPIJA ***8211; SLOVENIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/logounion_x150.gif
players left:
Yotam Halperin (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
Dragi***353;a Drobnjak (Turow)
Damon Stringer (***352;iroki ERONET)
Marko Antonijevi***269; (CAB Madeira Funchal)
Marino Ba***382;dari***263; (Menorca)
Slobodan Ljubotina (Turow)
Szymon Szewczyk (Legea Scofati)
Ernest Novak
Jimmy Oliver
Slobodan Bo***382;ovi***263; (Apollon)
players arrived:
Ender Arslan (Efes Pilsen)
Dejan Hohler (Rogla)
Marko Mili***269; (VidiVici)
Saulius Kuzminskas (Gravelines)
Sandi ***268;ebular (Alpos Kemoplast)
Domen Lorbek (Helios)
Miha Zupan (Geoplin Slovan)
Christian Maraker (University Pacific Tigers)
In Tivoli everything changed, from their coach (Tomo Mahori***269; came back), to the team (new signings are Ender Arslan, Turkeys national team player, Marko Mili***269; and Ivica Jurkovi***263;, Saulous Kuzminskas, center from Litva, Miha Zupan from Slovan and Christian Maraker, American player). These players together with Sa***353;a O***382;bolt, Hasan Rizvi***263; and Temmu Rannikk build a team that just have to be placed among top 4. The only question is the chemistry between new and old players, because it is not always a good thing to change a lot, but the quality of Olipmijas players is not questionable. They will have a strong bench, but just like other teams that participate in Euroleague, they will give a lot of playing time to younger players like brothers Lorbek.
my prediction: 2-5th place.
ZADAR ***8211; CROATIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/logo_zadar.gif http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/zadar_venue.jpg
players left:
Damir Tvrdi***263; (retired)
Sini***353;a ***352;temberger (***352;iroki Brijeg)
Roko ***268;ikli***263; (Borik)
Paolo Ti***269;ina (Borik)
Andrae Patterson
Dean Oliver
players arrived:
Vladimir Anzulovi***263; (Iraklis)
Carl English (VidiVici)
They didn't change a lot, Rok Stip***269;evi***263; and Vladimir Anzulovi***263; replaced Dean Oliver, and Carl English came to replace Sini***353;a ***352;temberger. All the other players, like Vladovi***263;, Johnson, Ge***269;evski, ***268;olak, Bara***263; and Lali***263; are «old» players. Zadar is the second best team in Croatia and the only team from Croatia that won this league. They are for sure among the teams that could surprise at the end.
my prediction 5-8th place.
ZAGREB - CROATIA
http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/logozagreb_x150.gif http://www.adriaticbasket.com/slike/slike-vijesti/zagreb_venue.jpg
players left:
Marijan Mance (Cibona)
Jo***353;ko Garma (Bosna ASA BHT)
Martin Previ***353;i***263; (Dubrava)
Mladen Erjavec
D***382;evad Alihod***382;i***263;
players arrived:
Robert Rubin (Hermes Analitica)
Aleksej Ne***353;ovi***263; (Crvena zvezda
Except Jo***353;ko Garma, Marijan Mance, Erjavec and Alihod***382;i***263; no other players have left the team. Zagreb improved their outside line by signing Aleksej Ne***353;iovi***263;, who played for Crvena Zvezda and with Hrvoje Kova***269;evi***263;, who played a great season in Slavonski Brod. Dwayne Broyles can also be considered as new player, as last season he was injured most of the time. Kruno Simon, Nikola Garma and expirienced player Gordan Zadravec stayed in the team, and we can expect great play from Ante Tomi***263; who spent a summer with Croatian National Basketball Team. «The Ants» could be a pleasent surprise, as they do have the potential to be placed among the top 8 teams.
my prediction 7-10th place.
Final Standings prediction:
1. Crvena Zvezda ***8211; Serbia
2. Partizan ***8211; Serbia
3. Cibona ***8211; Croatia
4. Union Olimpija ***8211; Slovenia
5. Zadar ***8211; Croatia
6. FMP ***381;eleznik ***8211; Serbia
7. Hemofarm Vr***353;ac ***8211; Serbia
8. Bosna ASA BHT ***8211; BiH
9. Zagreb - Croatia
10. ***352;iroki Eronet ***8211; BiH
11. Helios Dom***382;ale ***8211; Slovenia
12. Budu***263;nost ***8211; Montenegro
13. Split CO ***8211; Croatia
14. Geoplin Slovan ***8211; Slovenia
ENJOY THE SEASON....