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ABA condemns the attack on BC Red Star director
On friday night, around 11 pm, outside the «Panorama» hotel in Zagreb, a group of unknown people atacked BC Red Star director Igor Zezelj. After medical intervention he was later released from hospital with minor head trauma. In the atack Daniel Bukumirovic, journalist of radio B92, was also injured. Because of this incident ABA (Adriatic Basketball Association) officials and organizers of the Goodyear league final-four will hold a press-conference on Saturday April 17th at noon in the “Panorama” hotel. Executive Board of ABA held an emergency meeting last night and strongly condemned the incident.
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18. 4. 2004.
Milojević won the Sportske novosti Trophy
Since the first season of Goodyear league, croatian daily
newspaper "Sportske novosti" proclaims the MVP award
for the regular season.
This year the trophy goes to Dejan Milojevic of Buducnost
who recieved the total of 90 points during the 26 games. Igor
Rakocevic of Red Star came second with 83. The voting was
run by coaches who after every match gave the maximum 6 points
to the best player in the game. Milojevic recieved the maximum
score 5 times, Rakocevic 10 times, but Buducnost`s captain
had more constant scores during the season.
Milojevic and Rakocevic were folowed by Saša Doncic (Pivovarna
Laško) 55 points, Feliks Kojadinovic (Banjalucka pivara) 53,
Ognjen Aškrabic (Reflex) 50, Martin Vanjak (Široki Hercegtisak)
48, Miha Zupan (Geoplin Slovan) 43, Curtis McCants (Split
CO) 42, Marino Baždaric (Union Olimpija) 41, Kimani Ffriend
(Reflex) 40, Ivan Tomas (Zagreb) 37, Roko Leni Ukic (Split
CO) and Dragiša Drobnjak (Geoplin Slovan) 36... Stipe Sarlija
won the trophy last year, Jiri Welsch was the MVP in 2001/02.
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18. 4. 2004.
Sašo Filipovski: Regarding Europe we are quite a miracle
 It would
have been a total miracle if Union Olimpija's head-coach Sašo
Filipovski would not follow sport many years ago as his father
was a goal-keeper in soccer club Vardar and his mother played
volleyball. »I was poisoned with sport already as a youngster,«
explains a 30-year-old coach from Ljubljana, the youngest
one in Goodyear League. He played basketball in youth selections,
but after he injured his shoulder he decided to study at the
Faculty of Sport in Ljubljana. »I soon became the assistant
at the Faculty, combining theory and practice for two years.
Beside teaching I was twice a day at Olimpija's practices.
I was an assistant coach to Zmago Sagadin for six years and
another more to Tomo Mahoric,« says Sašo Filipovski who had
many obstacles on his way during his first year but he kept
his ambitions for the future.
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18. 4. 2004.
Different paths toward the Final Four
With Final Four of Goodyear League being just in front of
the door we took a look what the four participants have been
doing lately. But before doing that, it is worth remembering
that Red Star and Reflex, which will meet in the first semi-final
on Friday, competed in ULEB Cup this season while Cibona and
Union Olimpija have another Euroleague's season behind. Some
of them more, others less successful in Europe will have to
forget their ups and downs when the show in Zagreb once begins.
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18. 4. 2004.
Union Olimpija's statements
Sašo Filipovski: 'It was unpossible to recognize us, like we were a totally different team. Our work during the last five days was really quality and I expected we will compete with Cibona throughout the game until the tied finish. It happened just the opposite. I do not know why my players played under such a pressure, like they would be favourites of the game. They were nervous, far from being relaxed and the consequence of this bad physical preparation was the result of the game.'
Petar Dujmovič: 'I do not know what happened with us. We played very bad in all elements of the game, mostly in defense on their point-guards. Cibona will play in the final and I wish it all the best. I am not so dissappointed with the defeat, more with how we lost the game. We could make a better job as we practiced very good in teh last days. The time to analyse the game is coming, there may be many reasons for the defeat.'
Marino Bazdarič: 'We agreed something else about how we will play. There was not place in this game for us with such a bad defense. Cibona deserved the win. We did not come on a tourist's tour as we wanted to play as fair as possible and as good as we can. We wanted to surprise Cibona in zagreb althoguh we lost twice in this season here. But the old story repeated, we were not able to compete with the opponent. I do not want to say that is the reflection of the condition the team is in at the moment. There are others to analyse such things.'
18. 4. 2004.
Reflex's statements
Bosko Djokic: 'I am thrilled for the win, also it is hard for me to stay calm. This victory is also the success of my Vlade Djurovic who prepared the game really well. Matches like this increase the popularity of the Goodyear league.'
Ognjen Askrabic: 'Game was incredible, like it is always when we play Red Star. I knew that it wasn’t over when it looked like that. This is an important win for our confidence, now we face Cibona with more self-esteem.'
Reggie Freeman: 'I want to win this trophy so bad because the final with Cibona is probably my last game for Reflex. My injury is not so bad, the final will be a funny game to play for me.'
17. 4. 2004.
Crvena zvezda's statements
Zmago Sagadin: 'It was a hard fight, at the end one ball decided the winner. I think that during the larger part of the game we were the better team, but poor shooting of free throws coasted us the win. It is strange that during almost the whole game we were good from the line, but not when it was most important.'
Igor Rakocevic: 'Game was incredible. It seems that it was meant to be for us to lose. Again we were forced to play overtimes like in the Radivoj Korac Cup final, but this time we came out on the losing end. We had no luck. The fatigue affected my concentration at the end so I missed the important free-throws.'
Milan Dozet: 'It all came down to the matter of concentration. They had it, we did not when it mattered. It is such a shame for us, we had a very good chance.'
17. 4. 2004.
Cibona's statements:
Drazen Anzulovic: 'I am very satisfied with the game as we followed what we agreed before the game. I was afraid Union Olimpija may cause us some probems as it had time to refresh after the end of Euroleague but luck and quality was on our side.'
Marko Popovič: 'We started the game very good while Olimpija did not make event hose throws it usually does not have problems with. We pepared very god for the opponent, we 'skaned' until the very last detail what decided the game already in the first perios. We also had a very good support of our fans, so it was much easier for us. Our defense was at a very high level.'
Josip Sesar: 'We proved we can play very good with Olimpija already in the previous games, mostly played in Zagreb. We pleft our heart on the court, being very clever as our head-coach would say.'
Andrija Zizic: 'We already played some games with Olimpija this season and therefore there is nothing we would not know about each other. It looks they are the opponent we do not have problems with.'
Barisa Krasic: 'We proved we are the best when it is the most important. We might not be at the highest level lately and therefore there was some fear in the team before the game. But then we totally 'closed' them and the result is the reflection of what happened on the court.'
17. 4. 2004.
Djokic new head coach of Reflex
 Bosko Djokic is the new head coach of Reflex, confirmed president of the club Ratko Radovanovic just a few hours after the departure of Vlade Djurovic from his post.
As previously announced by Mr. Radovanovic, the replacement was quickly found. Bosko Djokic already coached Reflex and in 1995 won the promotion with the club from Zeleznik into the First division.
Djokic is not a stranger to the club - he was also the first coach when the club was formed in 1976. During that time the captain and playmaker of Reflex was Mr. Nebojsa Covic, one of the founders of the club and a very important figure today.
The new coach already arrived in Zagreb and will be on the Reflex bench during the semifinal of the Final Four on Friday.
16. 4. 2004.
Đurović stepped down as head-coach of Reflex
 Vlade Đurovic stepped down as the head-coach of Reflex just before the team left for the Final Four in Zagreb on Thursday. »We split definitely. Unfortunately time is not on our side to find a new coach as we play the semi-final game with Crvena zvezda on Friday. Vladan Vukojicic, the assistant-coach so far, will therefore seat at the head of the bench at the Final Four. That may change only in case we will find another solution in the last minute,« explained the director of the club Ratko Radovanovic.
- I am sorry that I stepped down from the job just before the Final Four in Zagreb. It feels like I left down the players and president Radovanovic. I had a very good cooperation with them. But, during the last meeting with Mr. Nebojsa Covic, he said to me some things that I could not accept. We have big differences concerning the way I should get my job done and I never ever let anybody order me what to do, Djurovic said.
16. 4. 2004.
Anzulović: We are favourites at the Final Four
 Cibona's head-coach Dražen Anzulović is Cibona's child. His father Vladimir, known as TV commentator, is one of the founders of the modern Cibona. Already as a youngster the sport's hall was something like a home court for Dražen and for his younger brother Vladimir who is still playing basketball (this season in Kosovo). They spent most of their time on basketball grounds like Dražen's two sons from his marriage with volleyball coach Marija, 12-year-old Andro and 8-year-old Roko, do nowadays. The history is repeating ... Dražen made his first appearance for Cibona's senior team in 1986 and played for it until 1990 when he signed for another city's team Zagreb. He stayed there until 1996 and moved to Osijek for a year after that. He was the European's Club Champion in 1986 and won the Yugoslavian National Cup in 1988. His ex-coaches Pešić, Novosel, Šakota, Božić all claim nowadays they knew he will also become a very good coach. Even he explains he was only a talented nonworker as a player and that might be the reason why is he so thorough and demanding as a coach.
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16. 4. 2004.
Team from Belgrade were not able to come at the press conference
A press conference was held on Thursday but unfortunately not all head-coaches of the participating teams were present. Since Crvena zvezda and Reflex were still on their way to Zagreb, only Sašo Filipovski (Union Olimpija) and Dražen Anzulović step in front of journalists, two coaches which will meet in the second Friday's semi-final.
Anzulović is very optimistic before the game: »Our main goal before the beginning of the season was the Final Four. Since we did not play at the final tournament last season and we host it this year we are very ambitious. We know Union Olimpija very good and I think we win.« But Cibona will have to face with the same plans Union Olimpija has. »It is a big success for us coming to the Final Four. Contrary to Cibona we will not be under the pressure which may be quite a burden. We defeated the hosting team twice this year, unfortunately not yet on its home ground. But with a good concentration and a maximum input we can surprise,« said Sašo Filipovski.
Both teams had many problems with injuries during the season but at the end Union Olimpija succeeded to come to Zagreb with all its key players. Nontheless Marino Baždarić has problems with his ankle all the time, this is not a thing to worry Union Olimpija's coach: »His ankle is Ok at the moment and he will definitely play. I have eight or nine players I can rotate. In the last five days we were totally focused on Cibona and that may be a key to a surprise.« It is a different situation with Cibona. Beside Penn it is also Mance who will not be able to play, still being sidelined after the operation.
Organizers of the Final Four also raised the security level before the beginning of the tournament. All the tickets will be scanned at the entrance while police with dogs has also been activated. 200 journalists will be present at the FF with the Israelian television also taking live picture. The arrival of many scouts from Europe and USA is
15. 4. 2004.
Bertomeu and Rigas confirmed the arrival in Zagreb
Everything is ready for the start of the Final Four in Zagreb. The hosting club Cibona therefore held a press conference on Tuesday, giving detailed information about ticket prices, technical information and media accreditation.
The final tournament which will give the third Champion of Goodyear League will be definitely followed by incredibly high number of journalists. According to organizers it is to expect around 200 journalists, was explained at the press conference. The arrival in Zagreb is also confirmed by Euroleague’s CEO Jordi Bertomeu and chief refereeing officer Costas Rigas.
‘This is the biggest sporting event this year in Zagreb, maybe even in Croatia. We are totally conscious of all that we have to do and we are experienced enough to avoid organizing problems, said Cibona’s director Božo Milicevic while sport’s director of the club Mihovil Nakic confirmed high expectations Cibona’s fans have before the beginning of the tournament.
‘After we ended the regular season at the top of the standing and since we are organizing the tournament, the public expects we will be in a kind of advantage. I hope this will not be a burden for us and that fans will help us reaching the goal by making great atmosphere in the sporting hall,’ wished Nakic.
15. 4. 2004.
No surprises in Croatian Championship
If the Saturday's evening was full of surprises in the Croatian Championship, the Tuesday's 4th round returned things back on the normal tracks. The evening was successful for all three clubs which participated in Goodyear League this season. Split was playing on the road with Triglav Osiguranje and won 74:63, Zadar defeated Šibenka in Šibenik 94:82 while Cibona overplayed Svjetlost Brod 96:80. Zagreb is supposed to meet Hermes Analitica on Wednesday.
13. 4. 2004.
Reflex and Crvena zvezda successful on the road
Because of the Goodyear League's Final Four, which will start with the semi-finals on Friday, Crvena zvezda and Reflex played the 4th round of the National Championship of Serbia and Montenegro already on Tuesday. The warm-up for the duels in Zagreb was very successful for both teams, although they played on the road this time. Crvena zvezda defeated Lovćen 95:77 while Reflex won the game with Lavovo 063 78:72.
13. 4. 2004.
Split and Cibona unsuccessful in the National League
The Saturday's evening brought many surprises in the Croatian Championship where two of the favorites had to admit superiority to their opponents. The first surprise comes from Zadar where the hosts defeated Cibona 78:66 with the debut of veteran Veljko Petranović. He was loudly cheered by the audiance which was thrilled with his come-back although he did not score a single point. Cibona on the other side played some minutes with Marko Popović, who was sidelined lately due to illness. The young point-guard who won the Goodyear League's trophy with Zadar last season was booed by many fans this time. Another unexpected news comes from Split where the Croatian Cup winner suffered the defeat against Hermes Analitica 70:78. The third round of the Championship also brought many problems for Zagreb which was finally successful on the road, playing with Šibenka (85:83) while Svjetlost Brod defeated Triglav Osiguranje 83:73.
12. 4. 2004.
Crvena zvezda defeated Budućnost
Partizan is the only team left that has not suffered a defeat yet in the second part of the National Championship of Serbia and Montenegro. It was successful also in the 3rd round game with Lavovi 063 (80:61) and therefore assured the lead at the league's standing. The Saturday's evening finally brought the end to the loosing streak of Crvena zvezda which defeated Budućnost 95:82 while Reflex had little problems with Lovćen (76:63). Hemofarm played with Vojvodina and won 89:78. Standing after three rounds: Partizan 3-0, Reflex, Hemofarm and Lavovi 063 2-1, Crvena zvezda, Vojvodina and Budućnost 1-2, Lovćen 0-3.
12. 4. 2004.
Reflex defeated Vojvodina
While the Efes Superleague continues with the 3rd round on Saturday, the only game played on Wednesday was the postponed one from the 1st round between Reflex and Vojvodina. This time Reflex was successful (91:82) and is currently third at the league's standing with 1-1, following Partizan and Lavovi 063 which both have two wins.
8. 4. 2004.
Efes Pilsen too strong for Union Olimpija
Although Union Olimpija wanted to end the Euroleague's season with the win, its plans were not realized in Turkey where the hosting Efes Pilsen was just too strong. The hosts rallied to beat the team from Ljubljana 68-58 thanks to 22 points from Nikša Prkačin, but their own Final Four dreams were over. Efes had lost by one point to Skipper in Bologna last week on a miracle three-pointer at the buzzer by Basile. Union Olimpija, which was without a chance for promoting to the Final Four already before leaving for Turkey, made a very good start and still hold the tied result at half-time but the hosts put it into the higher gear later. Final standing in Group E: Skipper 5-1, Efes Pilsen 4-2, Pau-Orthez 2-4, Union Olimpija 1-5.
Scorers for Efes Pilsen: Tunceri 1, Langdon 6, Granger 10, Prkačin 22, Peker 10, Arslan 1, Onan 4, Kuqo 14; for Union Olimpija: Ožbolt 8, Baždarić 11, Dujmović 5, Boisa 3, Rahimić 14, Maravič 9, Petrov 2, Pavič 6.
8. 4. 2004.
Cibona ended the Euroleague's season with the win
Cibona VIP managed to end its Euroleague's Top 16 participation with a win in front of its fans, and what's more, it can call itself the only team to have beaten CSKA Moscow, which will play at the Final Four, in the Top 16 thanks to a 81-72. Cibona jumped ahead quickly and never looked back, even though CSKA managed to pull within 3 points on one occasion. Therefore, Cibona ends with a 2-4 record in Group D in third place, while CSKA drops to 5-1 and its next game will be already a Final Four semifinal. Final standing in Group D: CSKA 5-1, Tau Vitoria 4-2, Cibona 2-4, Olympiakos 1:5.
Scorers for Cibona: Kus 21, Rimac 10, Krasić 14, Žižić 6, Golemac 4, Mamić 6, Poljak 4, Vranković 16; for CSKA: Papaloukas 8, Panov 5, Yudin 5, Holden 10, Vialtsev 3, Moya 16, Khryapa 5, Savrašenko 9, Bašminov 10, Tarlač 1.
8. 4. 2004.
Budućnost surprised at home
Problems for Lovćen and Crvena zvezda continue in the National Championship of Serbia and Montenegro as both teams were defeated also in the 2nd round games, played on Saturday. Lovćen was on the verge of the first succes in the National Championship but eventually lost 81:83 while Crvena zvezda has been outplayed by Vojvodina 82:92. It was very interesting in Podgorica where Budućnost met with Reflex, making a huge surprise as it defeated the team (96:94) which played in the semi-final of ULEB Cup and will take part at the Final Four of Goodyear League.
6. 4. 2004.
Zadar and Cibona successful
Since Split's young star Roko Leni Ukić together with Crvena zvezda's Luka Bogdanović left for USA after being invited to play at the Hoops Summit, the game of the 2nd round of the Croation Championship between Zagreb and Split has been postponed until April the 17th. Neither anything dramatic happened on other courts. Cibona had little problems with Šibenka (96:85), Zadar played on the road and defeated Triglav Osiguranje 102:86 while Hermes Analitica took the win in the game with Svjetlost brod (69:66).
6. 4. 2004.
Anagonye left for USA for ten days
American Aloysius Anagonye will not leave with Union Olimpija for the last Euroleague's game in Istanbul, played on Wednesday, announced the club's management. The coaching stuff approved his request to leave for his homeland for ten days because of the personal matters. 'Coaches decided that this the only period of the season they can fulfill his wish. He will join our practices on April 11th,' explained the club's press officer Brane Dmitrovič. On the same day good news also came from Union Olimpija as Marko Maravič already joined the team after he has been ill lately.
6. 4. 2004.
C. zvezda, Lovćen and Budućnost defeated at the start
Clubs from Serbia and Montenegro entered the final phase of the National Championship, playing the first round of so called Efes Superleague. Lovćen met with Partizan at home, being without any real chance to take the win (69:92). Budućnost played on the road with Lavovi 063 and lost 81:87 while Crvena zvezda was knocked down by Hemofarm in the last minute 83:85. The game between Reflex and Vojvodina is postponed until April the 7th.
6. 4. 2004.
Bertomeu announced ULEB Cup can expect to expand
Charleroi, Belgium was the scene of the first official act of the ULEB Cup Final, a press conference in which it was announced that the competition would expand again next season. ULEB Cup CEO Jordi Bertomeu informed the media that due to demand, the ULEB Cup can expect to have more teams from more countries in 2004-05. "The ULEB Cup is still young, but at the ULEB, there is a lot of pride in its development in terms of the number of teams and countries who participate. In fact, I can announce that next year the ULEB Cup can expect to have more teams from more countries due to the great amount of requests we have received to be part of this great competition."
Uleb
2. 4. 2004.
Cibona returns home with the 1st win in TOP 16
Showing that its pride went well beyond its chances to go further in the competition, Cibona VIP fought until the last seconds for its first Top 16 win on Thursday, getting a dramatic layup with 3 seconds left to beat Olympiacos in Athens by 68-70. Marko Popović, who joined Cibona just before the Top 16, was the author of the game-winning shot, a reverse layup as the 24-second clock expired. Cibona raised its Group D record to 1-4, tying Olympiacos. Andrija Žižić led the winners with 19 points and 7 rebounds, while Popović added 15 and Marijan Mance 13. For Olympiacos, Panagiotis Liadelis had 19 points, Dalibor Bagarić 16 and Ruben Wolkowysky 11.
Scorers for Olyimpiakos: Jurak 2, Gorenc 9, Liadelis 19, Tomić 4, Sklavos 5, Bagarić 16, Wolkowysky 11, Printezis 2; for Cibona Kus 3, Krasić 5, Žižić 10, Golemac 3, Štimac 3, Mance 13, Mamić 7, Poljak 2, Popović 15.
Euroleague
2. 4. 2004.
Union Olimpija dropped to 1:4 in Euroleague
Pau-Orthez clinched its first Top 16 road win this season in Group E by beating Union Olimpija 86-90 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on Wednesday night. Pau improved to 2-3 and will be third in this group after beating Olimpija twice and losing twice against Efes, second at 3-2. Meanwhile, Olimpija dropped to 1-4 and will be the last-ranked team in Group E.
Scorers for Union Olimpija: Baždarić 15, boisa 8, Štelamhers 1, Ramihić 13, Petrov 14, Anagonye 9, Pavič 4, Ožbolt 18, Dujmovič 4; for Pau-Orthez: Fauthoux 6, Lukovski 16, Darrigand 6, Foirest 11, Drozdov 4, Pietrus 14, Julian 10, Skelin 18, Archibong 5.
Euroleague
2. 4. 2004.
Maccabi got more time for the final decision
Although the final date for Maccabi to decide whether it will play in Goodyear League for the next season has been set for March 31st, the direction of Sidro gave the Israelian club more time now. The final decision is postponed until the Final Four in Zagreb (from 16th until 18th of April), announced the president of Adriatic Basketball Association Radovan Lorbek and Sidro's executive director Roman Lisac on Wednesday. Lorbek and Lisac met with Maccabi representatives in Barcelona at a special meeting where the management of the club from Tel Aviv made a request to prolongue the date of the decision. 'As Maccabi is now totally occupied with the organisation of the Euroleague Final Four their club's Board did not have time to discuss whether they will return to Goodyear League for the next season. Therefore we agreed to give them more time and we will announce the final decision in Zagreb,' said Lisac.
2. 4. 2004.
Reflex eliminated in the semi-final of ULEB Cup
The Uleb Cup has its first finalist for 2003-04, none other than Hapoel Jerusalem a 79:76 home winner against Reflex on Tuesday thanks to another big-time show by superscorer Will Solomon! Hapoel becomes only the second Isreali team ever to reach a European final. Solomon finished with 33 points, including the last 3 for Hapoel after Reflex had tied the game with just 2 minutes remaining. Solomon also picked up 7 rebounds, 4 steals and 7 assists for the winners. Reflex had won the first of their two semifinal games by one point in Belgrade last week, so Hapoel advanced by the overall total of a single basket's difference. As such, Hapoel will play in the title game on April 13 in Charleroi, Belgium.
Scorers for Hapoel Migdal: Kozikaro 4, Solomon 34, Sheffer 5, Awojobi 21, Mccarty 12, Mizrachi 3; for Reflex: Freeman 15, Aškrabić 18, Krstović 2, Popović 6, Plisnić 10, Stefanović 17, Jorović 8.
Uleb
2. 4. 2004.
Cibona without Rimac and Sesar in Athens
While the season in the second part of Euroleague is coming to an end, Cibona has still a lot of problems with injuries among players. Cibona left for the game in Athens, where it will meet with Olympiakos on Wednesday, without Slaven Rimac and Josip Sesar again. The first one, who has not played at the last two games because of the injured achile’s tendon, is still not ready for the come-back while Sesar complained about the pain in the groin and therefore stayed at home. T. D.
2. 4. 2004.
Teams for Slovenian All Stars are known
Sport's hall Tivoli in Ljubljana will host the 13th edition of Slovenian All Stars on Saturday where the main game of the day is scheduled for 5. p. m. when the selection of Slovenian players and the selection of foreigners will meet on the court. The first team will be coached by Saša Filipovski while Ivan Sunara will seat at the head of the other bench. The organizers also already presented best players from last season: best Slovenian player in the category U-20 is Jure Močnik (Helios) while the MVP is Jamie Arnold who won the Slovenian Championship with Krka last year but moved to Spain after that. Journalists also gave their vote, choosing Tomo Mahorič for the best head-coach of the season 2002/03. The Slovenian All Star will begin with the game between the selections of cadet's at 12. a. m.
Players who will play at the main game of the day are – Slovenian: Sašo Ožbolt (Union Olimpija), Nebojša Joksimovič, Sašo Dončić (oba PL), Miha Zupan (GS) and Smiljan Pavič (Union Olimpija), Simon Petrov (Union Olimpija), Slavko Duščak (Krka), Jure Eržen (Triglav), Igor Jokič (PL), Dragiša Drobnjak (Geoplin Slovan), Miha Zalokar (Helios) and Jure Močnik (Helios); foreigners: Petar Dujmović, Vladimir Boisa (both Union Olimpija), Seid Hajrić (Kemoplast), Marton Bader (Krka), Rick Rickert, Clarence Gilbert (both Krka), Darren McLinton, Domagoj Vidaković (both Geoplin Slovan), Dragan Dojčin (Pivovarna Laško), Aleksej Laškevič (Helios) and Vjeran Soldo (Pivka Perutninarstvo).
2. 4. 2004.
Reflex plays for the final of ULEB Cup
Hapoel Jerusalem will rely on a push from its home fans to try to win its rematch against Reflex and reach an historic goal: to become just the second Israeli team ever to reach a European final. But there are the same hopes and dreams also among the opponent's who have an excellent season in ULEB Cup and Goodyear league. Hapoel's will have to be a two-point win, because Reflex won their first game in Belgrade by a point. If the game is tied at the end of regulation time, there it will end, and Reflex will advance on the aggregate score after 80 minutes. If Hapoel is ahead by a point at the end of four quarters, overtime will be played to determine the series winner.
Hapoel hopes to have a healthy leader in Doron Sheffer, who missed the team's Israeli League playoff loss on Sunday due to sickness. At the same time, Reflex is still without starting point guard Ivan Zoroski and has its star swingman, Reggie Freeman (12.3 ppg.), slowed down with a stress fracture in one foot. Curiously, of Reflex's three wins over this season, the biggest came in Jerusalem. Reflex's abundance of talented bench players ready to contribute explains a lot of its success. One of them, forward Vukašin Mandicć, chipped in 12 points last week in the semi-finals opener, after having scored only 21 in the whole ULEB Cup season. Others such as Milan Majstorović (3.4 ppg., 2.5 rpg.) or Vanja Plisnić (7.9 ppg., 2.0 rpg.) are ready to be the heroes for the night. The key matchups will be in the paint, however, where Kimani Ffriend (14.6 ppg, 7.4 prg.) has been the major force for Reflex playing alongside versatile Ognjen Aškrabić (13.4 ppg., 5.5 rpg., 3.0 apg.). They are vital to Reflex's plan of controlling the boards and the game's pace.
Ido Kozikaro (7.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg.) and Tunji Awojobi (17.7 ppg., 6.7 rpg.) will fight with them to get the ball in the open court to Hapoel scorers Willie Solomon (23.3 ppg., 3.1 apg.), Sheffer (13.9 ppg, 4.1 apg.) and Kelly McCarthy (14.6 ppg.). Hapoel has a ton of scoring centered on four players - Solomon, Awojobi, McCarthy and Sheffer - so defense will be a big key for Reflex. In particular, point guards Saša Stefanović (6.9 ppg.) and Bojan Popović (5.5 ppg.) must help Freeman on the defensive perimeter, all of them knowing that they have a capable shot-blocker behind them in Ffriend. The must-win pressure on both teams should lead to a great atmosphere in which every play could be considered decisive. To the team that makes the most decisive ones over 40 minutes will win a trip to the ULEB Cup final in Belgium two weeks later, on April 13, and the chance to make it to the Euroleague next season.
Uleb
2. 4. 2004.
Cibona defeated the city rival Zagreb, Longin injured
While Split and Zadar played already on Saturday, Cibona did its job on Sunday defeating the city rival Zagreb in the first round of the second part of Croatian Championship, where eight teams will play for the final trophy. The Euroleague's team from Zagreb defeated the city rival Zagreb 97:76 in the so called 'League for the Champions' on Sunday. Split celebrated the win over Svjetlost Brod from Slavonski Brod 70:63 on Saturday while Zadar played with Hermes Analitica at home and took the win 97:74. Unfortunately, the joy of Zadar's fans has been split by the fact that Branimir Longin injured his left ankle.
2. 4. 2004.
Vraneš out for ten days
Basketball clubs from Serbia and Montenegro, which participated in Goodyear League this season, will now put all their efforts now in the second part of the National Championship which starts on 31st of March. Crvena zvezda, which plays with Hemofarm in the first round, will have to be without two of its players for the game. Slavko Vraneš injured at the practice before the Saturday's game with Union Olimpija and will be sidelined for about ten days according to the first diagnosis while Luka Bogdanović already left for USA. He was invited to play at the Hoops Summit on April the 4th.
2. 4. 2004.
Union Olimpija defeated Crvena zvezda
The regular season of Goodyear League finally came to the end on Saturday evening when Union Olimpija and Crvena zvezda met in the postponed game of the 18th round. Although the game have nothing to decide it was the team from Ljubljana which defeated Crvena zvezda for the second time in the season, taking the third place at the league's standing. In and interesting game, with the tied result in the last minutes, Union Olimpija was more concentrated. It also had Sašo Ožbolt who was unstoppable at the end while Radivojević and Dragojlović played very good for Crvena zvezda.
2. 4. 2004.
Vujadin Subotić back in Crvena zvezda
Crvena zvezda brought back Vujadin Subotić (194, 22) which signed a three-year contract with the club at the beginning of the season but was loaned to OKK Beograd immediately afer that. 'He came back and will play for us in Superleague,' confirmed Crvena zvezda's press officer Ilija Kovačić.
2. 4. 2004.
Reflex signed Tyron Nesby
As Reggie Freeman has serious problems with the injured foot and will play only the second semi-final game in ULEB CUP and the Final Four of Goodyear League for Reflex, the club signed another player on Friday. American Tyron Nesby will substitue Freeman in Superleague, that is the second part of the National Championship of Serbia and Montenegro. Nesby played for Washington and Varese in the past and will make his debut in Beograd on March 31st. 'I know that Reflex is known by its quality what prove also the team's results in ULEB Cup. I hope we will win the National Trophy although I do not know other teams yet. The only one I am already familiar with is Crvena zvezde which I met when I was playing for Varese,' said Nesby. A. T.
2. 4. 2004.
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