Eurocup finals. Semifinal 1. Valencia Basket vs Lietuvos Rytas12 april 2012
2012 Eurocup Finals take start on Saturday, April 14. We introduce first semifinal participants — two-time Eurocup winners, Valencia Basket and Lietuvos Rytas.
VALENCIA BASKET – LIETUVOS RYTAS
PAST MATCHUPS (1-1)
Valencia Basket and Lietuvos Rytas have only faced twice – but in similar circumstances as now, fighting to get to the Eurocup title game. Both teams played against each other in the 2005 ULEB Cup two-way semifinals. Valencia won Game 1 77-75, getting a two-point lead in the series. L. Rytas advanced to the title game with a 75-65 home win in Game 2 and went on to win its first-ever Eurocup title.
2005 ULEB Cup semifinals, Game 1: Pamesa Valencia – Lietuvos Rytas 77-75
VBC: Igor Rakocevic 32, Antoine Rigeaudeau 17
LRY: Tyrone Nesby 30, Roberts Stelmahers 12
2005 ULEB Cup semifinals, Game 2: Lietuvos Rytas — Pamesa Valencia 75-65
LRY: Tyrone Nesby 16, Roberts Stelmahers 16, Tomas Delininkaitis 12
VBC: Igor Rakocevic 17, Oscar Yebra 9
CONTENDER 1. VALENCIA BASKET (VALENCIA, SPAIN)
ABOUT THE CLUB
Valencia Basket is a two-time champion. The inaugural winners of the trophy back in 2003, the Spanish club seems to always be a Eurocup contender after making the semifinals in 2005 and back-to-back trips to the Final Eight in 2008 and 2009, all on the way to a second triumph in 2010. Last season, Valencia Basket stepped up to the Turkish Airlines Euroleague and quickly proved that it belonged, reaching the quarterfinals.
HEAD COACH, VELIMIR PERASOVIC
As a scoring machine in the 1980s, Perasovic helped Jugoplastika Split become one of the best teams in European basketball history. After moving to Spain, Perasovic helped Taugres win the Saporta Cup title in 1996. In just his second year on the bench, Perasovic made it to the Euroleague Final Four with Tau Ceramica in 2007. That season, Perasovic also guided Tau to victory in the Spanish King's Cup, thus becoming the first person to win that competition as both a player and coach.
STAR, NANDO DE COLO
De Colo joined Valencia in 2009-10, shortly after shining with the French national team at EuroBasket 2009. In his first season with the club, De Colo helped Valencia to the Eurocup title and was chosen to the All-Eurocup first team. Last summer, he helped France to a silver medal at EuroBasket 2011 and is back now at the Eurocup Finals with Valencia. De Colo always improves on his excellent playing level for the most important games, so expect the best from him at the Eurocup Finals.
VALENCIA BASKET: DID YOU KNOW THAT…
...Valencia Basket has the chance to win its third Eurocup title? It would be the first club to reach that achievement. Its semifinals opponent, Lietuvos Rytas, also won the competition twice.
...five Valencia players — Nando De Colo, Serhiy Lishchuk, Rafa Martinez, Victor Claver and Florent Pietrus — have the chance to win their second Eurocup title? They all helped Power Electronics Valencia to win the title in 2010. Only three players won the competition twice — Edu Hernandez-Sonseca (Real Madrid 2007, DKV Joventut 2008), Mindaugas Lukauskis (Lietuvos Rytas 2005, 2009) and Kelly McCarty (Hapoel 2004, Unics 2011).
...Thomas Kelati and Matt Nielsen, who won the Eurocup win Valencia in 2010, are in the 2012 Eurocup Finals with BC Khimki Moscow Region?
...Florent Pietrus and Nando De Colo are two of the three French players to ever win the Eurocup? Pietrus and De Colo won it with Valencia in 2010. Jerome Moiso (DKV Joventut, 2008) was the other one.
...A.J. Ogilvy and Brad Newley have the chance to be the second and third Australian to win the Eurocup? Only Matt Nielsen (Valencia, 2010) did it in the past.
...Stefan Markovic is the Eurocup's all-time assists leader? Markovic has dished 250 assists until now. He also ranks fourth in steals (104).
...Rihards Kuksiks can become the second Latvian player to win the competition? Roberts Stelmahers (Lietuvos Rytas, 2005) remains as the only Latvian to win the Eurocup.
...Vitor Faverani can become the first Brazilian player ever to win the Eurocup?
...Serhiy Lishchuk is the only Ukrainian player that has won the Eurocup title? He lifted the trophy with Power Electronics Valencia in 2010.
...head coach Velimir Perasovic is a three-time Euroleague winner as a player. He helped KK Split to win the Euroleague from 1989 to 1991.
...Victor Claver helped Spain to win back-to-back EuroBasket gold medals in 2009 and 2011? He is also the only Rising Star award winner ever to win the competition.
ROSTER
Valencia leaders are foreigners: Amirican forward Nik Caner-Medley (12.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.6 steals per game) and French guard Nando De Colo (11.7 points, 3.8 assists, 1.6 steals). Victor Claver (9.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals) and Rafa Martinez (9.9 points, 2.4 assists) are also top players. Stable basketball show Ukrainian forward Serhiy Lishchuk (9.8 points, 5.5 rebounds) and Australian center Andrew James Ogilvy (9.5 points, 3.3 rebounds).
Head coach – Velimir Perasovic (Croatia)
CONTENDER 2. LIETUVOS RYTAS (VILNIUS, LITHUANIA)
ABOUT THE CLUB
Two-time Eurocup champion, Rytas is based on local talent with shooting guard Ronnie Seibutis and center Jonas Valanciunas serving as its standouts this season. Valanciunas is joined by Lawrence Roberts in anchoring a tough frontcourt that helped the club lead the Eurocup in rebounding (36.9 rpg.). Speedy Tyrese Rice and veteran Aleksandar Rasic former a dangerous point guard duo, which can also play together. Head coach Aleksandar Dzikic has no shortage of weapons on a team that went undefeated in the regular season and has lost only three times all Eurocup season.
HEAD COACH, ALEKSANDAR DZIKIC
One of the great young minds in coaching, Dzikic belongs to the Serbian school of coaching and got his start with Partizan’s youth teams and KK Beovuk 72 in the 1990s. In January 2008, Dzikic headed Union Olimpija, with whom he won both the Slovenian League and the Slovenian Cup titles that season. Later he joined Krka Novo Mesto and changed that club’s history – in 2011 he won its first continental trophy, the EuroChallenge.
STAR, JONAS VALANCIUNAS
One of the most talented European basketball players, a Lithuanian big man Jonas Valanciunas turned to be a young starlet over two previous years. Even 19-year old center advanced in being numerous MVPs and best of the best. Solid collection of awards speaks for a player: Lithuanian League champion (2010), Lithuanian Cup winner (2010), 3-time Lithuanian League All-Star (2010-2012), 2-time Lithuanian League All-Star Game MVP (2011, 2012), FIBA Europe U-16 MVP (2008), FIBA Europe U-18 MVP (2010), FIBA World U-19 MVP (2011), Lithuanian Basketball player of the year (2011), FIBA European young player of the year (2011). Moreover in June 2011, Valanciunas was selected at NBA first round draft (overall fifth pick) by Toronto Raptors, but decided to spend season 2011/2012 in Lithuania.
LIETUVOS RYTAS: DID YOU KNOW THAT…
...Lietuvos Rytas has the chance to win its third Eurocup title? It would be the first club to reach that achievement. Its semifinals opponent, Valencia Basket, also won the competition twice.
...Lietuvos Rytas has reached the Eurocup semifinals for the fourth time in club history? Only Valencia has made it to the semifinals so many times. L. Rytas won the competition in 2005 and 2009, made it to the final in 2007 and is back to the Eurocup Finals in 2012!
...Steponas Babrauskas and Arturas Jomantas won the Eurocup with Lietuvos Rytas in 2009 — and have the chance to win a second title? Only three players won the competition twice — Edu Hernandez-Sonseca (Real Madrid 2007, DKV Joventut 2008), Mindaugas Lukauskis (Lietuvos Rytas 2005, 2009) and Kelly McCarty (Hapoel 2004, Unics 2011).
...Mindaugas Katelynas was one of the two players present at the 2011 and 2012 Eurocup Finals. Katelynas reached the Eurocup title game with Cajasol Sevilla last season — and is back to the Finals with Lietuvos Rytas. Stefan Markovic (Benetton Bwin 2011, Valencia 2012) is the other one.
...head coach Aleksandar Dzikic can win his second consecutive continental title? Dzikic led Krka Novo Mesto to win the EuroChallenge last season — and hopes to do even better by helping Lietuvos Rytas to win the Eurocup!
...Aleksandar Rasic and Lawrence Roberts played the 2010 Euroleague Final Four with Partizan?
...Ronnie Seibutis is in its third Eurocup semifinal in four years? Seibutis, an All-Eurocup first team selection this season, reached the Eurocup semifinals with Bilbao Basket in 2009 and 2010. No other player has been to the Eurocup semis three times in the last four years.
...at age 19, Jonas Valanciunas is the youngest player ever to be chosen to the All-Eurocup first team? He is also the youngest player to win the Rising Star trophy.
...Predrag Samardziski can become the first FYROM player to win the Eurocup title? Samardziski helped F.Y.R. of Macedonia to reach the EuroBasket semifinals in 2011.
...Lietuvos Rytas leads all Eurocup teams in total rebounds? L. Rytas has averaged 36.9 boards until now and has outrebounded all of its opponents in 14 Eurocup games until now.
ROSTER
Leaders of Lietuvos Rytas are guards Renaldas Seibutis (14.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists per game) and Tyrese Rice (11.3 points, 4.9 assists), as well as center Jonas Valanciunas (11.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.6 blocks). Stable basketball show Mindaugas Katelynas (9.1 points, 4.2 rebounds), Steponas Babrauskas (7.3 points) and Aleksandar Rasic (7 points, 2.7 assists).
Head coach – Aleksandar Dzikic (Serbia)
PAST MATCHUPS (1-1)
Valencia Basket and Lietuvos Rytas have only faced twice – but in similar circumstances as now, fighting to get to the Eurocup title game. Both teams played against each other in the 2005 ULEB Cup two-way semifinals. Valencia won Game 1 77-75, getting a two-point lead in the series. L. Rytas advanced to the title game with a 75-65 home win in Game 2 and went on to win its first-ever Eurocup title.
2005 ULEB Cup semifinals, Game 1: Pamesa Valencia – Lietuvos Rytas 77-75
VBC: Igor Rakocevic 32, Antoine Rigeaudeau 17
LRY: Tyrone Nesby 30, Roberts Stelmahers 12
2005 ULEB Cup semifinals, Game 2: Lietuvos Rytas — Pamesa Valencia 75-65
LRY: Tyrone Nesby 16, Roberts Stelmahers 16, Tomas Delininkaitis 12
VBC: Igor Rakocevic 17, Oscar Yebra 9
CONTENDER 1. VALENCIA BASKET (VALENCIA, SPAIN)
ABOUT THE CLUB
Valencia Basket is a two-time champion. The inaugural winners of the trophy back in 2003, the Spanish club seems to always be a Eurocup contender after making the semifinals in 2005 and back-to-back trips to the Final Eight in 2008 and 2009, all on the way to a second triumph in 2010. Last season, Valencia Basket stepped up to the Turkish Airlines Euroleague and quickly proved that it belonged, reaching the quarterfinals.
HEAD COACH, VELIMIR PERASOVIC
As a scoring machine in the 1980s, Perasovic helped Jugoplastika Split become one of the best teams in European basketball history. After moving to Spain, Perasovic helped Taugres win the Saporta Cup title in 1996. In just his second year on the bench, Perasovic made it to the Euroleague Final Four with Tau Ceramica in 2007. That season, Perasovic also guided Tau to victory in the Spanish King's Cup, thus becoming the first person to win that competition as both a player and coach.
STAR, NANDO DE COLO
De Colo joined Valencia in 2009-10, shortly after shining with the French national team at EuroBasket 2009. In his first season with the club, De Colo helped Valencia to the Eurocup title and was chosen to the All-Eurocup first team. Last summer, he helped France to a silver medal at EuroBasket 2011 and is back now at the Eurocup Finals with Valencia. De Colo always improves on his excellent playing level for the most important games, so expect the best from him at the Eurocup Finals.
VALENCIA BASKET: DID YOU KNOW THAT…
...Valencia Basket has the chance to win its third Eurocup title? It would be the first club to reach that achievement. Its semifinals opponent, Lietuvos Rytas, also won the competition twice.
...five Valencia players — Nando De Colo, Serhiy Lishchuk, Rafa Martinez, Victor Claver and Florent Pietrus — have the chance to win their second Eurocup title? They all helped Power Electronics Valencia to win the title in 2010. Only three players won the competition twice — Edu Hernandez-Sonseca (Real Madrid 2007, DKV Joventut 2008), Mindaugas Lukauskis (Lietuvos Rytas 2005, 2009) and Kelly McCarty (Hapoel 2004, Unics 2011).
...Thomas Kelati and Matt Nielsen, who won the Eurocup win Valencia in 2010, are in the 2012 Eurocup Finals with BC Khimki Moscow Region?
...Florent Pietrus and Nando De Colo are two of the three French players to ever win the Eurocup? Pietrus and De Colo won it with Valencia in 2010. Jerome Moiso (DKV Joventut, 2008) was the other one.
...A.J. Ogilvy and Brad Newley have the chance to be the second and third Australian to win the Eurocup? Only Matt Nielsen (Valencia, 2010) did it in the past.
...Stefan Markovic is the Eurocup's all-time assists leader? Markovic has dished 250 assists until now. He also ranks fourth in steals (104).
...Rihards Kuksiks can become the second Latvian player to win the competition? Roberts Stelmahers (Lietuvos Rytas, 2005) remains as the only Latvian to win the Eurocup.
...Vitor Faverani can become the first Brazilian player ever to win the Eurocup?
...Serhiy Lishchuk is the only Ukrainian player that has won the Eurocup title? He lifted the trophy with Power Electronics Valencia in 2010.
...head coach Velimir Perasovic is a three-time Euroleague winner as a player. He helped KK Split to win the Euroleague from 1989 to 1991.
...Victor Claver helped Spain to win back-to-back EuroBasket gold medals in 2009 and 2011? He is also the only Rising Star award winner ever to win the competition.
ROSTER
Valencia leaders are foreigners: Amirican forward Nik Caner-Medley (12.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.6 steals per game) and French guard Nando De Colo (11.7 points, 3.8 assists, 1.6 steals). Victor Claver (9.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals) and Rafa Martinez (9.9 points, 2.4 assists) are also top players. Stable basketball show Ukrainian forward Serhiy Lishchuk (9.8 points, 5.5 rebounds) and Australian center Andrew James Ogilvy (9.5 points, 3.3 rebounds).
| № | Player | Position | Height | Birthday | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | Rodrigo San Miguel | G | 186 | 1985 | Spain |
| 4 | Stefan Markovic | G | 191 | 1988 | Serbia |
| 6 | Andrew James Ogilvy | C | 211 | 1988 | Australia |
| 8 | Brad Newley | F | 200 | 1985 | Australia |
| 9 | Victor Claver | F | 206 | 1988 | Spain |
| 12 | Serhiy Lishchuk | F | 210 | 1982 | Ukraine |
| 13 | Vitor Faverani | C | 209 | 1988 | Brazil |
| 16 | Alberto Perez | G | 186 | 1994 | Spain |
| 17 | Rafa Martinez | G | 190 | 1982 | Spain |
| 20 | Florent Pietrus | F | 202 | 1981 | France |
| 22 | Nando De Colo | G | 195 | 1987 | France |
| 30 | Rihards Kuksiks | F | 201 | 1988 | Latvia |
| 32 | Larry Abia | F | 195 | 1993 | Spain |
| 33 | Nik Caner-Medley | F | 203 | 1983 | USA |
| - | Antonio Tirado | F | 197 | 1992 | Spain |
| - | Guillem Pla | F | 200 | 1991 | Spain |
Head coach – Velimir Perasovic (Croatia)
CONTENDER 2. LIETUVOS RYTAS (VILNIUS, LITHUANIA)
ABOUT THE CLUB
Two-time Eurocup champion, Rytas is based on local talent with shooting guard Ronnie Seibutis and center Jonas Valanciunas serving as its standouts this season. Valanciunas is joined by Lawrence Roberts in anchoring a tough frontcourt that helped the club lead the Eurocup in rebounding (36.9 rpg.). Speedy Tyrese Rice and veteran Aleksandar Rasic former a dangerous point guard duo, which can also play together. Head coach Aleksandar Dzikic has no shortage of weapons on a team that went undefeated in the regular season and has lost only three times all Eurocup season.
HEAD COACH, ALEKSANDAR DZIKIC
One of the great young minds in coaching, Dzikic belongs to the Serbian school of coaching and got his start with Partizan’s youth teams and KK Beovuk 72 in the 1990s. In January 2008, Dzikic headed Union Olimpija, with whom he won both the Slovenian League and the Slovenian Cup titles that season. Later he joined Krka Novo Mesto and changed that club’s history – in 2011 he won its first continental trophy, the EuroChallenge.
STAR, JONAS VALANCIUNAS
One of the most talented European basketball players, a Lithuanian big man Jonas Valanciunas turned to be a young starlet over two previous years. Even 19-year old center advanced in being numerous MVPs and best of the best. Solid collection of awards speaks for a player: Lithuanian League champion (2010), Lithuanian Cup winner (2010), 3-time Lithuanian League All-Star (2010-2012), 2-time Lithuanian League All-Star Game MVP (2011, 2012), FIBA Europe U-16 MVP (2008), FIBA Europe U-18 MVP (2010), FIBA World U-19 MVP (2011), Lithuanian Basketball player of the year (2011), FIBA European young player of the year (2011). Moreover in June 2011, Valanciunas was selected at NBA first round draft (overall fifth pick) by Toronto Raptors, but decided to spend season 2011/2012 in Lithuania.
LIETUVOS RYTAS: DID YOU KNOW THAT…
...Lietuvos Rytas has the chance to win its third Eurocup title? It would be the first club to reach that achievement. Its semifinals opponent, Valencia Basket, also won the competition twice.
...Lietuvos Rytas has reached the Eurocup semifinals for the fourth time in club history? Only Valencia has made it to the semifinals so many times. L. Rytas won the competition in 2005 and 2009, made it to the final in 2007 and is back to the Eurocup Finals in 2012!
...Steponas Babrauskas and Arturas Jomantas won the Eurocup with Lietuvos Rytas in 2009 — and have the chance to win a second title? Only three players won the competition twice — Edu Hernandez-Sonseca (Real Madrid 2007, DKV Joventut 2008), Mindaugas Lukauskis (Lietuvos Rytas 2005, 2009) and Kelly McCarty (Hapoel 2004, Unics 2011).
...Mindaugas Katelynas was one of the two players present at the 2011 and 2012 Eurocup Finals. Katelynas reached the Eurocup title game with Cajasol Sevilla last season — and is back to the Finals with Lietuvos Rytas. Stefan Markovic (Benetton Bwin 2011, Valencia 2012) is the other one.
...head coach Aleksandar Dzikic can win his second consecutive continental title? Dzikic led Krka Novo Mesto to win the EuroChallenge last season — and hopes to do even better by helping Lietuvos Rytas to win the Eurocup!
...Aleksandar Rasic and Lawrence Roberts played the 2010 Euroleague Final Four with Partizan?
...Ronnie Seibutis is in its third Eurocup semifinal in four years? Seibutis, an All-Eurocup first team selection this season, reached the Eurocup semifinals with Bilbao Basket in 2009 and 2010. No other player has been to the Eurocup semis three times in the last four years.
...at age 19, Jonas Valanciunas is the youngest player ever to be chosen to the All-Eurocup first team? He is also the youngest player to win the Rising Star trophy.
...Predrag Samardziski can become the first FYROM player to win the Eurocup title? Samardziski helped F.Y.R. of Macedonia to reach the EuroBasket semifinals in 2011.
...Lietuvos Rytas leads all Eurocup teams in total rebounds? L. Rytas has averaged 36.9 boards until now and has outrebounded all of its opponents in 14 Eurocup games until now.
ROSTER
Leaders of Lietuvos Rytas are guards Renaldas Seibutis (14.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists per game) and Tyrese Rice (11.3 points, 4.9 assists), as well as center Jonas Valanciunas (11.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.6 blocks). Stable basketball show Mindaugas Katelynas (9.1 points, 4.2 rebounds), Steponas Babrauskas (7.3 points) and Aleksandar Rasic (7 points, 2.7 assists).
| № | Player | Position | Height | Birthday | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Paulius Dambrauskas | G | 191 | 1991 | Lithuania |
| 5 | Steponas Babrauskas | G | 191 | 1984 | Lithuania |
| 6 | Tyrese Rice | G | 185 | 1987 | USA |
| 7 | Lawrence Roberts | F | 206 | 1982 | USA |
| 10 | Renaldas Seibutis | G | 196 | 1985 | Lithuania |
| 12 | Vilmantas Dilys | F | 208 | 1987 | Lithuania |
| 14 | Predrag Samardziski | C | 211 | 1986 | Serbia |
| 15 | Mindaugas Katelynas | F | 206 | 1983 | Lithuania |
| 17 | Jonas Valanciunas | C | 210 | 1992 | Lithuania |
| 19 | Aleksandar Rasic | G | 195 | 1984 | Serbia |
| 21 | Arturas Jomantas | F | 199 | 1985 | Lithuania |
| 32 | Dovydas Redikas | G | 203 | 1992 | Lithuania |
| - | Edvinas Seskus | G | 192 | 1995 | Lithuania |
Head coach – Aleksandar Dzikic (Serbia)
Fresh club news
VTB United League Play-Off Series Preview: Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar vs. Khimki Moscow RegionVTB United League Game Preview: Khimki Moscow Region vs. Avtodor SaratovVTB United League Game Preview: Tsmoki-Minsk vs. Khimki Moscow RegionVTB United League Game Preview: BC Kalev vs. Khimki Moscow RegionVTB United League Game Preview: Khimki Moscow Region vs. Nizhny NovgorodVTB United League Game Preview: Khimki Moscow Region vs. Enisey KrasnoyarskEuroLeague Round 34 Preview: Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Khimki Moscow RegionEuroLeague Round 24 Preview: Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. Khimki Moscow RegionEuroLeague Round 33 Preview: CSKA Moscow vs. Khimki Moscow RegionPress news
Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy: Alexey Shved, KhimkiKhimki’s Vladislav Odinokov declaring for the NBA DraftAlexey Shved is back, but Loko beat Khimki in game 1Khimki vs Avtodor HighlightsMozgov’s debut put Khimki into play-offs, Loko and Nizhny extend winning streaks. Week in reviewKhimki clinch play-offsTimofey Mozgov debutes for KhimkiErrick McCollum against Enisey (VIDEO)Khimki vs Enisey HighlightsTimofey Mozgov comes back to League, Khimki clinch play-offsOlympiacos finishes season with a winMaccabi rolls past Khimki in final home game of season...Club news
Dates of the games with BC TriumphBC Khimki extended contract with KurtinaitisZoran Planinic was named Eurocup Finals 2012 MVPEurocup. 3rd place game. Lietuvos Rytas vs Spartak SPbBC Khimki vs Valencia Basket: pre-game commentsHappy birthday, Sergey!Eurocup. Valencia Basket vs Lietuvos RytasBC Khimki vs Spartak SPb: pre-match commentsKresimir Loncar is a father!!!Eurocup finals. Semifinal 2. BC Khimki vs Spartak...
