Death Zone ....

Van vroeger toen we allen jong en weergaloos waren en genooten
van een geweldige team .. die in Europa beter bekend was als
The Death Zone ........... 
Tjaaaaaa .....  waar heb ik over . Nou over Efes Pilsen van wel eer
die onder leiding stond van een bijzonder geweldige coach Aydin Ors
die spelers onder zijn hoede had als ... Petar Naumoski  .....
die ooit 32 punten maakte in the hell of Panathinakos ... daar in Athene ..
maar zijn rechter hand was ......... Ufuk Sarica.
Turk in hart en nieren en een vuil opknapper en een geweldige schutter van wel eer.

Op de web site van fiba europe.com zag ik de onderstaande collumn
over hem die nu in zijn ervaring aan het over brengen is aan de team van
Pinar Karsiyaka ..... Izmir.
Die dus Eurochallange als groeps eerste naar de volgende ronde gingen en
zij als tweede staan in de turkse competitie  waar zij de eenige team zijn die van
de koploper wonnen en da is ..... Galatasary Medical Park .....

Deze geweldige stukje wilde ik ook met jullie delen en mijn speciaale dank voor
de vrienden van de fibaeurope.com site en zie dus ook ...
www.fibaeurope.com





EUROCHALLENGE

Defence is a major part of Ufuk Sarica's coaching philosophy
By Dimitris Kontos


Pinar Karsiyaka topped EuroChallenge Regular Season Group A with a 5-1 record and have every reason to head into the Last 16, which tips off next month, full of confidence.
Head coach Ufuk Sarica is careful not to put the cart before the horse at this early stage but at the same time he does not deny the thought of his team going all the way and challenging for the title has crossed his mind.
"I think it's too early to talk about the championship; but on the other hand, why not," he told FIBAEurope.com
"To win a European cup would make us very successful and proud, of course.
"I know that feeling from before and I would like to feel it as a coach as well."


Sarica speaks from experience, and more specifically from the point of view of a player who has lifted a European trophy.
The formidable partnership he formed with Petar Naumoski in the Efes Pilsen (now Anadolu Efes) backcourt in the 1995/96 season was a determining factor in the most successful year in the history of the Turkish powerhouse.
Efes reached the Korac Cup Finals and prevailed over Dejan Bodiroga's Olimpia Milano, 146-145 on aggregate in the two-leg final, to conquer Turkey's first European title at club level.
In April 2012, Besiktas Milangaz replicated that success by winning the EuroChallenge at the Final Four in Hungary.

The fans of Karsiyaka, or any other Turkish club, have not had the opportunity to celebrate such an achievement.
"We don't have this kind of success in the history of the club," Sarica said.
"This is definitely very important to all of us.
"[Izmir] is a great basketball city; Karşıyaka fans are amazing, they know basketball very well."


IT STARTS ON THE DEFENSIVE END

One does not need to watch hours and hours of Karsiyaka's games or have advanced knowledge of mathematics to guess what coach Sarica places more emphasis on in practice.
Karsiyaka are the best defensive team in the EuroChallenge, giving up only 62.5 points to their opponents per contest.
They have the fourth best defence in the Turkish BEKO Ligi and most probably would be at the top there too were it not for a one-off extravaganza, the 95-94 overtime loss at Tofas Bursa earlier in the season.

"Of course defence is the priority in my philosophy as a coach," Sarica acknowledges.
"But also at the beginning of the season I preferred that kind of players [with defensive skills] for my team.
"I made them believe that defence is the most important part.
"In modern basketball, defence on its own is not enough.
"You must play well on both sides [of the floor]. But if you get stops on defence you always have the advantage."


TURKISH LEAGUE - AND NATIONAL TEAM

Sarica's players have to suffocate opponents with their defence twice a week, but so far the team maintains the same level of intensity on both the European and domestic fronts.
Karsiyaka are tied with Banvit and Anadolu Efes in third place in the Turkish league standings, with an 8-2 record. "To play both in Europe and BEKO [Ligi] is very tiring of course," Sarica acknowledged.
"But we have to get ready all the time physically, mentally and technically.
"In the beginning of the season my target was to not lose any games at home, and so far it's going well."

Karsiyaka have beaten Euroleague sides Besiktas and Fenerbahce, as well as league leaders Galatasaray at home.
"We're not afraid of any team, and beating all the leading teams here [in Izmir] is the proof of that.
"By winning games, our faith and confidence is growing day by day."
Despite his busy schedule, Sarica does not lose sight of what goes on at the Turkish national team, although he is reluctant to venture into predictions about EuroBasket 2013.

Turkey were drawn into First Round Group D and will go up against Russia, Greece, Italy, Finland and Sweden.
"[The EuroBasket in] Slovenia will be a hard championship," Sarica said.
"We have very good players in the Turkish team.
"But we don't know which players will be part of the final roster yet.
As a player, Sarica became an international at the age of 16 and after joining the senior team he suited up for Turkey at three consecutive EuroBasket tournaments, from 1995 through 1999.

It makes one wonder if he's ever thought about how it would be to relive the experience, this time as a coach.
"Of course leading the national team would be an honour for me," he said.
"And I would very much like to have this honour."





Door LuluHoops

EuroChallange Round 16

De poule fase van de EuroChallange zijn voor bij. zeg maar
Europa Cup 3 en de tweede ronde groepen zijn bekend. Er word dan gespeeld in vier
groepen van vier en lees hier onder aub.

Mijn dank is groot voor de vrienden van de fiba.com site en
zie  www.fibaeurope.com



I/1    Pinar Karsiyaka

        Gaz Metan Medias
I/2   Joensuun Kataja
       BK Ventspils

J/1   Paris Levallois
       Hapoel Holon
J/2  Szolnoki Olaj
      BCM Gravelines

K/1 Tofas
       Khimik
K/2 Krasnye Krylia
       Norrköping Dolphins

L/1  Okapi Aalstar
       Telekom Baskets
L/2  EWE Baskets
       Tsmoki-Minsk


Door LuluHoops

Visie en Doel EK. 2015

De looting is geweest en waar ben ik al weer zonder vrienden die opletten
en tijd en enregie insteken van nuttige info.
Vandaar ook mijn groote dank voor mijkn goede vriend Arjan
die mij minuut geleden van de info voor zag en de visie nu gericht is naar
de Europesche Kampioenschap 2015 voor de vrouwen.

Die was heden middag in Freising ... Duitsland en onze oranje leeuwinnen
zijn ingedeeld in groep A met

Estland
Griekenland
Nederland 
Luxemburg.

Zijn eerste reaktie was .......... zwaare looting stond bij zijn berichtje
Ach ........... mijn goede en lieve vriend .......... noem je dit een zwaare
looting ......................
Nederland moet als eerste in deze groep de deelname aan de EK. 2015
bewerkstelligen. Met onze speelsters  en kunnen en inzet en passie en
de materiaal die we hebben nu eens de tijd en energie die ingestopt is eindelijk
iets waar maken

Zo niet ........... dan vrees ik dat de coaching staf .............. het geld wat ze nu
krijgen als full time staff te mogen zijn , waar andere bondsfunctionarissen van de NBB.
begerip moeten toonen aan de finaciele wan beleid ..........
ga jeu de boelen aub.

Maar ach ........... wie ben ik nie waar ... eigenwijze rot joh .. die alleen maar schopt
volgens velen .............. jaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ... het doet pijn nie waar als ik eerst
zelf kritiek heben dan mijn vinger op de zeere plek neer leg en hard door druk.
daaaaaaaaaaat is ........aaaaaaauuuuuuuwwww  ......... 

Rest mij door te geven wat de andere groepen zijn.

Groep B
Bulgarije
Slovenie
Zwitserland

Groep C
Belgie
Polen
Finland

Groep D
Portugal
Israel
Duitland
Macedonie


Door LuluHoops

Nederlands Herenteam vind in Sport 1 Sponsor voor Twee Seizoenen.

Op de persconferentie van heden middag in Den Bosch bij Eiffeltowers werd het nieuws gebracht dat het Nationaal Herenteam kan doorgaan.

Hier een foto van de persconferentie met aan tafel zaten van Links naar Rechts, Kees Akkerboom Junior(International Nationaal Herenteam), Francisca Ravenstein(Voorzitter Nederlandse Basketball Bond NBB), Will Moerer (Vice-President Sport1/Film1) en Henk Reekers (voorzitter FEB).

De Nieuwe sponsor zal zijn Sport 1.
Sport1 is een verbintenis aangegaan met de Internationaals en de FEB voor 2 seizoenen. En wel 2 kalenderjaren volgens Francisca Ravenstein (voorzitter NBB).
Hierbij zal de FEB de coach en staf samenstellen in overleg met de NBB.
Wie dat gaan worden was op de persconferentie nog niet bekend, maar wordt later bekend gemaakt.
Een belangrijke voorwaarden werd verklaart door Kees Akkerboom Junior dat de Internationaals voor de hele periode van het nationaal team beschikbaar moeten zijn.
Tevens de rol van Sport 1 zal zijn dat alle wedstrijden Live worden uitgezonden en de samenwerking zal zijn dat de NOS samenvattingen kan uitzenden dit werd verklaart door Will Moerer (Vice-President Sport1/Film1).
Men gaat wedstrijden spelen bij de FEB teams als de accommodatie aan de FIBAregels voldoet.
Tevens was ook nog niet bekend in welke opzet het Nationaal herenteam zal gaan meedoen aan de Basketball Days in Zwolle van 26 tot 30 December.


Dit van u verslaggever HandyMan.
......................................................

Mijn dank is groot voor The HandyMan waar ik mij zelf niet in
tienduizend stukken kon delen om ook aanwezig te zijn heden middag en
waar goede vrienden goed voor zijn


Door LuluHoops

Gecondoleerd

Tot mij de droevige bericht bezorgd  dat een zeer gewardeerde collega ....
oprecht persoon ..... goede vriend ..... die
wel uit onze ... eehh .. mijn oogen was , maar niet uit mijn hart ....
zijn lieftalige echtgenoot verloren heeft na een leven vol met strijd en passie.

Karel .............................

Gecondoleerd  met je verlies , je direkte famillie  en je naasten allemaal.
Wens jullie  allemaal sterkte in deze periode van rouw en verwerken van deze droevige
periode.
Wens tot god dat zij zacht en  in vrede rust.


Terwijl jij weg bent

en mij enkel leegte laat
voel ik onverwoord
dat jij nog steeds bestaat
Dat ik je nog kan horen
en nog met je kan spreken,
want alle liefde die er was
kan zelfs de dood niet breken


Positief het gevecht aangegaan

Het mocht niet zo zijn
Het aardse voor een ander bestaan
Veel te vroeg en dat doet pijn
We hielden innig van je echtheid
mens zonder franje
Ondanks alles, op zo'n verlies nooit voorbereid



Hasan Ulu

The Clash Under The Bosborus

Als ik spaarzaam ben met mijn eigenwijze visie er op los latend , soms
kom ik wat dingen tegen ... leuke stukjes op de andere web sites
over basketball op den diggi snelweg der basketball guru`s.

Zo ook de guru Paul Nilsen .....
ja wel die van de fibaeurope.com site, waar hij regelmatig zijn visie er op los laat
op de Women EuroLeague  en zo ook de clahs heden avond tussen de
ongeslagen teams Galatasary Medical Park Istanbul tegen
UMMC Ekaterinburg.

Zijn visie op die wedstrijd van heden avond 19.00 uur nederlandse tijd
in The hell of Bosporus  ... die kan je lezen hier onder en wou het ook met jullie mee delen.


Deare Paul  ......

I always read your collum and also this one here under whta i also put it on my web site
for the fans here in Holland. Please see it for the joy and spreading the basketball fever
accros the univers of basketball  here in Holland.

Abbout the game of this evening between the two teams that has won 5 games in a row
and you say  that ..... Gala ...  has the best home court advantage  ..
hmmmmmmmmmm .... that i don`t agree with u.
yess ... u may be right .... Gala. plays under the bridg of Bosborus .. a
hell of a game and the visitor`s are having  a bad nightmare during  and afther the game.
Buuuuuttttt ... this time UMMC Ekat.

Has the best team ever i see. Look at the names
Olga Arthesina ... Anete  Jeacobsone ... she was on the team of Fenerbahce last year
if u don`t forgot it when Fenerbahce had a 14-0  run in Europe .......
she was one of the best u know  ....
what to say abbout the names of  Silvia Dominguez ...  Sandra Gurda ...
The Q  ....  off Turkey   .....  Quanitra ... Deanna Nolen ... Candece Parker  .. Anna Petrokova
Diana Taurasi ...  Sue Bird ....  shall i go further ...
Daaaammnneddd ....  this likes to be The All Times ....  All Star Team ..
so when the fans of Gala. do come and 15.000000000000  .......
eehhh .... turks aren`t there this evening in Abdi Ipekci SportsHall ...  then i say ....
it would be UMMC Ekat. 

My special thanks to the friends of the fibaeurope.com web site for the use of
this great collumn and i say .. do please se it for your self on ....
www.fibaeurope.com






EUROLEAGUE WOMEN
By Paul Nilsen



Something has to give when unbeaten heavyweight duo Galatasaray and UMMC Ekaterinburg lock horns in Istanbul this week, although Olaf Lange doesn't expect the outcome to have any significant impact in terms of a potential Final Eight match-up.
The Ekat play-caller is expecting a really tough test against the favourites to challenge his team for top spot in Group C, but whatever way it pans out, he isn't too concerned with any longer-term implications.

"The impact of these regular season games in regard to a potential meeting at EuroLeague Women Final Eight in March is limited," insisted the coach.
"Both teams will gain an understanding of how to play each other and which schemes work better than others.
"I think Galatasaray has played well so far, especially considering the injury problems they have had and also having to integrate (Lindsay) Whalen along the way.

"They have been as strong as expected, whilst also having their share of adversity early."
Lange was similarly complimentary about his own teams' performances so far in the competition. Since almost coming unstuck in embarrassing fashion against Novi Zagreb on opening night, Ekat has looked imperious ever since.
UMMC Ekaterinburg head coach Olaf Lange: "Considering the stage of the season, we are playing solid basketball right now."

"Yes, considering the stage of the season, we are playing solid basketball right now," said Lange.
"After starting slow in EuroLeague Women, we have made good progress, especially in the last two weeks.
"Having said that, the season is still young and there is a long way to go - but, so far, so good!"

Lange is particularly wary that any journey for a title favourite like Ekat is mostly concerned with peaking when it matters, rather than hitting form early.
He said, "This season, and any European season for that matter is a marathon and not a sprint.
"Hence we have to get better in all areas of the game.
"I don't feel that I can single out any particular area, but our progress has been solid thus far, but we just
have to keep improving!"

There's little doubt that on paper at least, a game against Galatasaray in Turkey is the most difficult of the regular season for Ekat, and that means the visiting players need to be more focused on the finer details than usual.
"When playing on the road, it is always important to play great defence and to rebound well and this is even more critical when playing a great team," claimed Lange.
"Additionally, it will be crucial for us to know and to execute the scouting report when playing Galatasaray, as they have a significantly deeper playbook than most EuroLeague Women teams we have played so far."

The main danger posed to Ekat is likely to be in the paint from two reigning EuroLeague Women champions in the shape of Sancho Lyttle and Ann Wauters, who both made the switch to Turkey from Valencia in the summer. The latter has spoken of an eventful, but also enjoyable season so far at her new club, both on and off the court.
"Well, it has already been an exciting season," said Wauters.
"We have had some tough games, but have managed to win them. We had to deal with some injuries, so I think we still have a lot of room for improvement.

"We all know how much talent Ekat has, and it isn't easy to pick just one thing we have to do well against them - I think we just have to come out ready to compete with them and play hard."
She continued, "Istanbul is a great and busy city with lots of things to do and places to visit. But we do live in a quiet neighbourhood just across from our practice gym, so it's a perfect situation."
"Right now, I'm just trying to help my team as much as I can and it has been fun so far.
Ann Wauters has felt comfortable playing in Istanbul with, "a nice group of people who are passionate and determined to achieve our goals."

"We have a nice group of people who are passionate and determined to achieve our goals."
Form Guide: Galatasaray are yet to lose in EuroLeague Women with a 5-0 record, although have dodged a bullet on a couple of occasions. Domestically, they have lost twice, once in the Presidents' Cup Final to Fenerbahce, and once in the Turkish League to Kayseri Kaski spor. UMMC Ekaterinburg are unbeaten this season in all competitions, top of Group C with Gala with five wins and also top of the Russian League and safely through to the Final Four of the Cup.

The Hot Hands: There are plenty of options for both teams, but Lindsay Whalen has played particularly well since arriving late in Turkey, harvesting 15 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. Sancho Lyttle has arguably been the most consistent performer for Galatasaray with 11.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game. Candace Parker started slowly for Ekat, but has certainly had the hot-hand during recent weeks, and is now almost averaging a season double-double with 14.6 points and 9.4 boards per game. Silvia Dominguez leads the tournament in assists with a terrific 7.4 per game.

‘X Factors': Both Diana Taurasi and Candace Parker didn't play for Ekat in the Russian Cup quarter-finals over the weekend, but it seems this was nothing more than Olaf Lange handing his star duo some additional rest and both should hopefully line-up. When the game tips-off, it will probably boil down to one specific factor - the defence of Galatasaray. They give up fewer points than any other team in the tournament, but this will be put to the ultimate test this week. They have the frontcourt to match-up with Ekat, but they must live with their opponent on the wings.






Door LuluHoops