EuroView: Dillon, Majok & Rush come up big

The week of European national league action commenced with Daniel Dillon and CSM Oradea taking on Steaua CSM Eximbank in a thrilling overtime encounter in the Romanian league. Dillon was once again at his best as he did everything in his power to earn the win. However despite piling on 19 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals, Dillon was not able to prevent a heart-breaking 93-94 loss in the extra period.

Daniel Dillon - Credit Robyy Boros / CSM Oradea

With the loss, Oradea is now firmly entrenched in the basement of the Romanian League with a 1-4 record to open the season. Second in the league in assists with 6.6 per game, Dillon has been a constant contributor and will be at the forefront of his team's efforts in earning a much-needed win against BC Timba Timisoara next week.

Continuing his emergence was promising big man Majok Majok. The 6'10" power forward gathered his second straight double-double with 14 points, 15 rebounds and 1 blocked shot in 31 minutes as Helios Domzale accounted for Maribor 71-68 in a close one. With their Aussie import finding his feet and delivering a league-leading 9 boards per game, Helios has now climbed to third in the standings in Slovenia with a 3-1 record. They will be expecting a stern challenge in their next outing against Krka.

In France, ASVEL Lyon Villeurbanne's season as they lost to fellow Eurocup team Paris-Levallois 60-64. David Andersen had a tough night offensively, going just 2/10 from the field for 7 points. However he did manage to compile 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal in 23 minutes as a starter. While still early, ASVEL's season is sitting precariously as they are in 14th place with a 2-4 record in the French Pro A with lowly Rouen to follow next week. However next up is Telenet Ostend on the road in Eurocup, with a win set to cement their place in the top 3 of Group B.

Daniel Johnson - Courtesy Stelmet Zielona Gora

Stelment Zielona Gora took on fellow Polish powerhouse Asseco and ended up on the wrong end of a 68-72 loss. Forward Daniel Johnson came off the bench and in 12 minutes delivered 7 points and 3 rebounds. Zielona Gora is now 3-2 in the Polish League and will be looking to atone for the loss this week starting in Eurocup against strong Turkish side Pinar Karsiyaka before heading back to Poland to face Wilkie Morskie.

Liam Rush has been quietly going about his business in Sweden with Uppsala Basket. In their latest contest, they thrashed Eco Orebro 106-67 with the Aussie forward playing his part. Rush contributed 16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 blocked shot in only 24 minutes of action. With Rush averaging 18.4 points (4th in league), 8 rebounds (8th) and 1.6 blocks (4th), he has helped Uppsala to an unblemished 6-0 start to the season.

Besiktas accounted for Trabzonspor 68-58 in Turkey. Ryan Broekhoff has his quietest game of the season, scoring just 3 points but with 9 rebounds and 2 assists in 24 minutes. His shot was uncharacteristically off, going 0/4 from beyond the arc. However he continued to do what his team needed in owning the boards. Broekhoff's side is now 3-1 to open the season and next take on Latvian side VEF Riga in Eurocup ahead of a contest against Tofas back in Turkey.

And now we cross to Spain where Brad Newley and Herbalife Gran Canaria were unable to steal a road win against Andorra as they fell 86-91. Newley chimed in with 9 points, including 3/3 from the field, alongside 2 rebounds and no turners in 22 minutes. Gran Canaria will be hoping to bounce back from their 1-4 start to the Spanish season at home against Artland Dragons in Eurocup; things only get tougher when they return to Spain as a date with Euroleague side Laboral Kutxa awaits.

Chris Goulding was barely required as CAI Zaragoza easily dispatched UCAM Murcia 82-63. In just 17 minutes, Goulding scored 3 points on 1/4 triples with 1 assist. He will be looking to step back into the action against Italian side Emilio Reggio in Eurocup this week, as he may be rested against the winless and last-placed Seville next weekend back in Spain.

La Bruixa d'Or Manresa are struggling badly without Australian center AJ Ogilvy who has been sidelined with a foot injury. They lost 67-87 to Laboral Kutxa and will be hoping Ogilvy returns in their next game against Bilbao Basket.

You can watch the Eurocup and Euroleague action this week on Eurosport Australia (via Foxtel) or via euroleague.tv this week (check your local guides).