EuroView: Newley leads Gran Canaria to big win in ACB
There was some great performances this week by Australian's in Spain while local derbies took place in Istanbul and Tel Aviv to form this week's European domestic leagues wrap.
Brad Newley has led Herbalife Gran Canaria to a big home win against Euroleague participant Laboral Kutxa Vitoria by scoring 18 points in a 93-77 victory. Newley went 8-10 from the field that included 2-2 from 3-point land as he led his side in scoring for the first time this season.
The win keeps Gran Canaria in the middle of a log jammed ladder with only 2 games seperating 5th and 14th spots in a league being paced by the unbeaten Real Madrid. Next up for Newley is a match-up on the road against fellow Australian AJ Ogilvy and La Bruixa d'Or Manresa.
http://youtu.be/eluj42FcQsc
Ogilvy returned to action this week after being sidelined with a footy injury since playing the opening round of the ACB season. After an encouraging week at training Ogilvy took to the court for 8 minutes this week as his side lost a close one 77-76 to Bilbao Basket. La Bruixa d'Or Manresa will take encouragement from the strong outing with Bilbao's record on the season being 5-1.
Also in Spain, CAI Zaragoza lost narrowly 77-73 to Baloncesto Sevilla and remain just outside the top-8 with a 3-3 record. With Chris Goulding having a great season in the Eurocup, his form in the ACB has been indifferent until this week where he was equal top scorer for CAI Zaragoza with 17 points. It was Goulding's best output so far in the domestic season and included four 3-pointers.
http://youtu.be/gV7dRuEPrwY
CAI Zaragoza will be tested in their next game when they come up against Bilbao on the road as they try to push into the top-8.
In France, David Andersen has backed up an outing of 25 points in the Eurocup with 9 points for Asvel Lyon Villeurbanne as a 28-12 final quarter charge by Rouen granted them a 79-74 road victory. Next up for Asvel is bottom side Boulogne sur Mer as they look to improve on a poor start to the season that sees them with a 2-5 record.
Besiktas Istanbul lost 91-83 this week to Tofas in the Turkish Basketball League. Ryan Broekhoff scored 9 points in the loss as Tofas put together a solid 2nd half to come from behind in the victory. Besiktas currently sit in 7th place and face 3rd placed Pinar Karsiyaka at home this week.
http://youtu.be/1wTD-W6MGbI
Also in Turkey this week was the first Istanbul derby of the season as Galatasaray hosted the very strong Anadolu Efes. After barely taking to the court in the week's Euroleague game, Nathan Jawai was again largely a spectator as Galatasaray won a thriller 77-76.
Stelmet Zielona Gora secured a win in Poland taking care of King Wilki Morskie Szczecin 71-68. Daniel Johnson scored 4 points in 10 minutes of action for Stelmet who are enjoying mild success in the Polish League while they struggle in the Eurocup.
Majok Majok looked to continue his outstanding play of late in Slovenia as Helios Domzale were up against Krka Novo Mesto. Majok's Helios Domzale went down 69-58 as he scored 4 points in 19 minutes on the floor.
Rounding out this week's domestic wrap is the battle of Tel Aviv as Aleks Maric and Maccabi Tel Aviv were up against Hapoel Tel Aviv. A first quarter where Hapoel outscored its opponents 25-10 was too much for Maccabi to reel in as they followed up their mid-week Euroleague loss with a 78-58 defeat to their Tel Aviv rivals. After lean minutes recently in the Euroleague, Maric failed to take to the floor in Maccabi's loss.
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).