EuroView: Goulding now finding his touch in Spanish ACB League
In what has been a relatively quiet week for most Australians in Europe's domestic leagues, Chris Goulding is starting to translate his solid Eurocup form into Spain's ACB League.
Coming off strong Eurocup performances for CAI Zaragoza that most recently included a season-high 25-point effort, Goulding has posted his season-high in the ACB by scoring 18 points this week. After 17 points the week before, Goulding went 6/12 from the field in 28 minutes against strong outfit Bilbao Basket.
Goulding's effort combined with former NBL player Kevin Lisch's 20 points secured CAI Zaragoza the upset win on Bilbao's home floor 82-71. A decisive 26-11 opening quarter was too much for Bilbao to peg back and now sees CAI Zaragoza in the thick of it in 6th place with a 4-3 record. Next up in the ACB for Goulding and Zaragoza is Estudiantes Madrid who are 2-5 on the season so far.
http://youtu.be/hCIAUcoFToc
In the Eurocup Brad Newley and Herbalife Gran Canaria had just come off a road victory against David Andersen and Asvel Lyon Villeurbanne and now this week in the ACB Newley found himself up against another Australian's side in AJ Ogilvy's La Bruixa d'Or Manresa. Unfortunately Ogivly did not take to the floor in this one after a brief appearance the week before having returned from a foot injury. The big Aussie was missed dearly as he has been for most of the season as Herbalife Gran Canaria won 81-73.
Newley continued his impressive recent run on offense by scoring in double figures for the fourth straight game across both the Eurocup and ACB. This week he tallied 12 points and 5 rebounds.
While undefeated in the Eurocup this season, things have been different in Spain for Gran Canaria as they moved to a 3-4 record with this week's victory and remain in a mid-table log jam in the ACB standings. Next week they will be tested again taking on Bilbao Basket at home.
http://youtu.be/zXhqwJFAJbk
Meanwhile Andersen enjoyed a much needed victory in the French LNB League as Asvel took care of Boulogne sur Mer 99-90 as they try to atone for a slow start to the season moving to 3-5 record. Andersen returned to form contributing 15 points and 5 rebounds after struggling in Asvel's Eurocup game earlier that week.
Asvel will look to continue the long road back to playoff contention as they go up against the 3-5 Pau Lacq Orthez in their next LNB fixture.
Natthan Jawai (Photo by Aykut Akici/EB via Getty Images)
In Turkey, Galatasaray were coming off an Istanbul derby loss to Anadolu Efes the week before in the TBL only to find themselves with another one this week going up against Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce Ulker. Coming off a return to some solid court time and form during the week in the Euroleague for Galatasaray, Nathan Jawai again found himself on the outer in coach Ergin Ataman's rotation. Jawai only took in 5 minutes playing time as Fenerbache were victorious 77-56.
Also in the TBL Besiktas continued the consistent good form they are showing both domestically and in the Eurocup by overcoming Pinar Karsiyaka 87-82 in overtime and remain tied for the best record in the league at 4-2. Forward Ryan Broekhoff dropped in 10 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds for Besiktas.
Besiktas will get their own taste of an Istanbul derby this week while Galatasaray will turn up for their third in as many weeks as Broekhoff and Jawai will square off in the Turkish capital.
Maccabi Tel Aviv returned to the winner's column this week after dropping their last two matches in the Israeli Winner's League. Maccabi were victorious 89-74 against Galil Gilboa. Aleks Maric continues to see limited minutes scoring 4 points on 2/2 from the field in 3 minutes of action.
Another player who's minutes have been in decline in recent weeks is Daniel Johnson for Stelmet Zielona Gora in Poland. Johnson played just 7 minutes as Stelmet went down to Trefl Sopot 81-77.
Daniel Dillon's Oradea enjoyed a break this week in the Romanian League as did Majok Majok with his team Helios Domzale in Slovenia.