EuroView: Andersen ruins Rouen
It was a big week for Aussies in Europe, with David Andersen continuing his very good recent form in France, another signed a contract extension, and two others went head-to-head in the Spanish ACB.
Andersen played another sensational game in the French Pro A League as ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne defeated SPO Rouen Basket 82-89. The veteran big man was impressive in many ways, converting 8/9 from the field on his way to 18 points. Andersen also chipped in 5 rebounds and 4 assists in just 24 minutes to prove his diverse skill set and value to ASVEL as they continue their late run to the finals.
Rouen proved challenging in the first half, leading by 8 and causing issues for ASVEL on the defensive end. However ASVEL really weren’t focused in the first half as they appeared to take their fourteenth ranked opponents lightly. That was until the third quarter when they really put their mark on the game with a 17-29 quarter, delivering an offensive master-class. ASVEL were 34/49 on 2-point attempts and a solid 15/24 from three-point range. ASVEL’s sixth win in their last seven matches ensure they are tied for fourth with a 14-11 record.
Fresh from a 2-year contract extension, Ryan Broekhoff played an important role in Besiktas Integral Forex Istanbul's 96-87 victory over Eurocup rivals Banvit BK. With the teams heading into the match tied on the league table, the game was destined to be intense. It was end to end basketball until the final quarter when Besiktas managed to pull clear with a 31-22 final quarter, recording an impressive and very important victory.
Broekhoff was one of six Besiktas players to score in double digits, scoring 12 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in 33 minutes. However, it wasn’t the best shooting night for Broekhoff, shooting 4/10 from the field and just 2/8 from behind the arc. As the race for the playoffs heats up, Besiktas will take great confidence from the result and look to build momentum when they face bottom ranked Eskisehir Basket next week.
The playoffs kicked off in Romania this week and thus far they have not been kind to Daniel Dillon’s CSM Oradea. Seventh placed Oradea came up against second ranked Steaua CSM in the quarter finals and trail 2-0 after the opening fixtures. In the first encounter, Oradea could not get over the line despite a big third quarter comeback. Trailing by 14 at the half Oradea hit their straps to regain the momentum and cut the lead to 3 with a 15-26 quarter. However it was not enough, with the heavily favoured Steaua holding off the fast finishing Oradea to record and an 80-79 victory at home. Dillon was very good in providing 16 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds in the loss.
Game two was a much tighter affair, with an equally close finish. Neither team could gain the ascendancy throughout the match. For the second contest in a row, Steaua came up big in clutch time, defeating the visitors 79-77. Dillon was a force for Oradea yet again with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists in 35 minutes. At times, Dillon was back to his old ways, with uncontrolled exuberance and aggression leading to 4 turnovers contributing to a team total of 17, compared to 11 for Steaua. Oradea will head into their next match on the 18th disappointed, but hopeful that home-court is just what they need to swing the matches their way.
It was an Aussie encounter in the Spanish ACB this week with Chris Goulding’s CAI Zaragoza facing off with Nathan Jawai’s MoraBanc Andorra. Zaragoza managed to stem Andorra’s recent momentum and produce a predictable result, with ninth ranked Zaragoza running out victors 84-79. Although it was not all smooth sailing for the hosts, as they got out to a comfortable 13 point lead on the back of some fine shot-making. However Andorra to make a late charge in the final term, winning the quarter 16-24, but not really challenging Zaragoza.
Both teams played tidy games, with just 15 turnovers for the match. Though the same could not be said for Jawai who provided 7 points (2/6 FG), 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 turnovers.. Jawai had a third of his team’s turnovers in just 15 minutes of court time, far too costly for a big man. Goulding was red-hot from three-point range for the victors, scoring 12 points (3/4 3PT) and 4 rebounds in 19 minutes. Zaragoza now sit level with Herbalife Gran Canaria, who also have a 15-13 record following their comfortable victory over Montakit Fuenlabrada.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECEwOmiXzc0
Herbalife Gran Canaria got the job done in a no-nonsense performance against last placed Montakit Fuenlabrada. Gran Canaria stretched their lead gradually throughout the match, with an attacking game style leading to a 65-76 victory. Brad Newley was one of many Gran Canaria players to frequent the foul line as he scored 14 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist in 26 minutes. Newley was keeping the opposing defense guessing, going 2/5 from three-point range and getting to the line often with tenacity and aggression (6/8 FT). Gran Canaria is building momentum following their recent Eurocup victory which put them into the finals. With a winnable match against twelfth place UCAM Murcia to come, they will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming weeks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=944V7cFF7zM
Don't miss all the Euroleague and Eurocup finals action on Eurosport Australia via Foxtel who once again provide exclusive coverage of the best two leagues in Europe!
Here is the Eurosport Australia TV schedule for the next week!
The 2015 Euroleague quarterfinals are here! Each quarterfinal is a best of 5 series, of which they get underway this week with teams matched up as follows:
Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul (TUR) vs Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv (ISR)
CSKA Moscow (RUS) vs Panathinaikos Athens (GRC)
FC Barcelona (ESP) vs Olympiacos Piraeus (GRC)
Real Madrid (ESP) vs Anadolu Efes Istanbul (TUR)
Here is the TV schedule for this week:
Wednesday, April 15
4:00am LIVE: Game 1 - Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul (TUR) vs Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv (ISR)
5:45am Delayed: Game 1 - CSKA Moscow (RUS) vs Panathinaikos Athens (GRC)
Thursday, April 16
3:00am LIVE: Game 1 - FC Barcelona (ESP) vs Olympiacos Piraeus (GRC)
5:00am LIVE: Game 1 - Real Madrid (ESP) vs Anadolu Efes Istanbul (TUR)
Friday, April 17
4:00am LIVE: Game 2 - Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul (TUR) vs Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv (ISR)
6:00am Delayed: Game 2 - CSKA Moscow (RUS) vs Panathinaikos Athens (GRC)
Saturday, April 18
3:00am LIVE: Game 2 - FC Barcelona (ESP) vs Olympiacos Piraeus (GRC)
5:00am LIVE: Game 2 - Real Madrid (ESP) vs Anadolu Efes Istanbul (TUR)
We are now down to just 2 teams! Yes - it is time for the 2015 Eurocup finals!
Brad Newley and Herbalife Gran Canaria will take on Russian outfit Khimki Moscow for the 2015 Eurocup title.
The two-game finals series will be played on 25 and 30 April Australian time.
* Times are subject to change. Times and Dates are AEDT. See http://tv.au.eurosport.com/ for details.