EuroBasket 2009 Tourney Preview

Team Comment

F.Y.R. of Macedonia The F.Y.R. of Macedonia starts off group A of the prelims on September 7th. With recent victories over Latvia and Great Britain, the team from the former Yugoslavia has won with a balanced attack, youth and experience and complete team effort. The key player for Macedonia will be Vrbica Stefanov who is ending his legendary career playing for his home country.

Croatia Croatia is another Euro team lacking a big name talent, but this could potentially be for the better. This team plays as a unit and relies on strong coaching and a good system to win basketball games. Strong play at the power forward and center position allow the Croatian team to match-up with all of their opponents in the group A bracket. Despite the lack of a true super star, Raptor Roko-Leni Ukic could be the key to victories for Croatia, his ability to score, rebound and distribute is vital to Croatian success.

Israel Israel enters the EuroBasket tourney with confidence and a group of proven European players. Lior Eliyahu has been huge for Israel with his 16 points and 6+ rebounds per game. He and NBA draftee Omri Caspi have the athleticism and motivation to upset some of their group A opponents. Look for Eliyahu and Yotan Halperin to play big roles for Israel.

Greece The Greek team, led by big man Yiannis Bouroussis, will have a tough task with expectations high and key player absences. Bouroussis will be asked to control the paint while NBA reserve Kostas Koufas and Florida guard Nick Calethes will be asked contribute, if possible, and bring Greece back to the podium (they won EuroBasket in 2005).
Team Comment

Russia Russia begins their defense of EuroBasket 2007 without two key guys in Andrei Kirilenko and JR Holden. The team will be led by former Blazer Victor Khryapa if he is able to play. The Russians will struggle offensively if they have to be without Khryapa and AK-47, meaning they may have to rely on another former Blazer Sergei Monya. The Russian team will have a tough defense of the title no matter what happens.

France The French team is peaking at the right time and appears to be ready to take on the best in Europe. The balanced attack of Tony Parker and Ronny Turiaf will be devastating for all opponents. Turiaf has been on beast on the interior while Tony Parker has been his usual crafty self. No one in this tournament can guard Parker. Other NBA players like Boris Diaw and Nicolas Batum will contribute in many other creative ways with Batum showing his complete arsenal at such a young age. I see France competing until the very end.

Germany The German national team will try to compete in the EuroBasket 2009 without their superstar Dirk Nowitzki. Unfortunately for Germany, no Dirk will more than likely spell doom for their squad. Even despite their lack of star power, the German still took down Turkey in qualifiers in August which is cause for optimism for Germany and their fans.

Latvia Latvia enters the EuroBasket tourney with one big shining star, Andris Biedrins. Biedrins has been a monster in the NBA and his ability to score, rebound, defend and adjust to the highest level will make him nearly impossible to guard in the tourney.  Kristaps Janicenoks is a guy who Latvia will rely on to provide a scoring punch, Biedrins is good but he can't do it all. Perimeter shooting to complement an inside game will contribute to Latvia's success.
Team Comment

Great Britain Serbia is a nation that has a long list of talented NBA players, but unfortunately  are not participating in this tourney. Peja Stojakovic, Darko Milicic, Marko Jaric and Vladimir Radmanovic to name just a few.  Nenad Krstic is the only "big" name suiting up. Luckily Serbia has a pipeline of young talent to keep them competitive, but it looks like Serbia is saving their big guns for next year's World Championships.

Spain The Spanish National Team would be a playoff team in the NBA. They boast a roster of well know stars. We all see them play the Redeem Team tough in Beijing in the Gold Medal game. Spain is at full strength, except for an injured Jose Calderon.  Ricky to Rudy.  The Gasol Brothers. Tough role players with NBA experience all make this an exciting team to watch, and should be expected to make it to the final. Blazers fans hope to catch a glimpse of their recent draft pick Victor Claver.  Note: Pau's availability is up in the air after he had surgery on his finger.

Slovenia Slovenia is another team with quite a bit of NBA talent, mixed with top European talent, but is missing a couple of top players in Rasho Nesterovic and Sani Becirovic.  Slovenia rounds out Group C, making it the toughest group in the tourney. They're expecting big things from Sacramento PG Beno Udrih and former NBAers Primo Brezic and Bostjan Nachbar. The best news (for Blazer Fans) out of Slovenian camp is that Sasha "The Machine" Vujacic was recently cut from the team.
Team Comment

Poland Poland is looking to play off the home court advantage they should have as the host country. That and hoping Marcin Gorat plays like Dwight Howard. The only other player with NBA experience is Maciej Lampe, the former Knick project. Poland did play Spain down to the wire in a warm up match last week which could help them with their confidence. Watch for 40 year old Polish legend Adam Wojcik, to lay it all out on the line for the home crowd.

Turkey The Turkish team is lead by our old pal Hedo Turkoglu. Hidayet teams with former Buck Ersan Ilyasova, to form a dynamic duo at the forward positions. The problem for Turkey is that Mehmet Okur and the Turkish coach don't see eye to eye, meaning Okur is staying home. Is there no loyalty in Turkey?

Lithuania Lithuania has had success over the years on the world stage, and was expected to field a team capable of making a run at it this year. A number of key players are not on the roster for EuroBasket 2009, including Darius Songalia and Sarunas Jasikevicius. That leaves recent NBA defect Linus Kleiza to fend for himself. Where's Arvydas Sabonis when you need him?

Bulgaria Last but not least we have basketball powerhouse Bulgaria. It's never good for your tournament hopes when your best player cannot play due to religious obligations (leading scorer Ibby Jaabeer) especially when your team lacks the overall talent level of most of the other teams. This sounds like the scenario where the team might just be happy to have qualified. I'll be rooting for them to pull off an upset though.
Team	Comment
F.Y.R. of Macedonia	The F.Y.R. of Macedonia starts off group A of the prelims on September 7th. With recent victories over Latvia and Great Britain, the team from the former Yugoslavia has won with a balanced attack, youth and experience and complete team effort. The key player for Macedonia will be Vrbica Stefanov who is ending his legendary career playing for his home country.
Croatia	Croatia is another Euro team lacking a big name talent, but this could potentially be for the better. This team plays as a unit and relies on strong coaching and a good system to win basketball games. Strong play at the power forward and center position allow the Croatian team to match-up with all of their opponents in the group A bracket. Despite the lack of a true super star, Raptor Roko-Leni Ukic could be the key to victories for Croatia, his ability to score, rebound and distribute is vital to Croatian success.
Israel	Israel enters the EuroBasket tourney with confidence and a group of proven European players. Lior Eliyahu has been huge for Israel with his 16 points and 6+ rebounds per game. He and NBA draftee Omri Caspi have the athleticism and motivation to upset some of their group A opponents. Look for Eliyahu and Yotan Halperin to play big roles for Israel.
Greece	The Greek team, led by big man Yiannis Bouroussis, will have a tough task with expectations high and key player absences. Bouroussis will be asked to control the paint while NBA reserve Kostas Koufas and Florida guard Nick Calethes will be asked contribute, if possible, and bring Greece back to the podium (they won EuroBasket in 2005).
Team	Comment
Russia	Russia begins their defense of EuroBasket 2007 without two key guys in Andrei Kirilenko and JR Holden. The team will be led by former Blazer Victor Khryapa if he is able to play. The Russians will struggle offensively if they have to be without Khryapa and AK-47, meaning they may have to rely on another former Blazer Sergei Monya. The Russian team will have a tough defense of the title no matter what happens.
France	The French team is peaking at the right time and appears to be ready to take on the best in Europe. The balanced attack of Tony Parker and Ronny Turiaf will be devastating for all opponents. Turiaf has been on beast on the interior while Tony Parker has been his usual crafty self. No one in this tournament can guard Parker. Other NBA players like Boris Diaw and Nicolas Batum will contribute in many other creative ways with Batum showing his complete arsenal at such a young age. I see France competing until the very end.
Germany	The German national team will try to compete in the EuroBasket 2009 without their superstar Dirk Nowitzki. Unfortunately for Germany, no Dirk will more than likely spell doom for their squad. Even despite their lack of star power, the German still took down Turkey in qualifiers in August which is cause for optimism for Germany and their fans.
Latvia	Latvia enters the EuroBasket tourney with one big shining star, Andris Biedrins. Biedrins has been a monster in the NBA and his ability to score, rebound, defend and adjust to the highest level will make him nearly impossible to guard in the tourney. Kristaps Janicenoks is a guy who Latvia will rely on to provide a scoring punch, Biedrins is good but he can't do it all. Perimeter shooting to complement an inside game will contribute to Latvia's success.
Team	Comment
Great Britain	Serbia is a nation that has a long list of talented NBA players, but unfortunately are not participating in this tourney. Peja Stojakovic, Darko Milicic, Marko Jaric and Vladimir Radmanovic to name just a few. Nenad Krstic is the only "big" name suiting up. Luckily Serbia has a pipeline of young talent to keep them competitive, but it looks like Serbia is saving their big guns for next year's World Championships.
Spain	The Spanish National Team would be a playoff team in the NBA. They boast a roster of well know stars. We all see them play the Redeem Team tough in Beijing in the Gold Medal game. Spain is at full strength, except for an injured Jose Calderon. Ricky to Rudy. The Gasol Brothers. Tough role players with NBA experience all make this an exciting team to watch, and should be expected to make it to the final. Blazers fans hope to catch a glimpse of their recent draft pick Victor Claver. Note: Pau's availability is up in the air after he had surgery on his finger.
Slovenia	Slovenia is another team with quite a bit of NBA talent, mixed with top European talent, but is missing a couple of top players in Rasho Nesterovic and Sani Becirovic. Slovenia rounds out Group C, making it the toughest group in the tourney. They're expecting big things from Sacramento PG Beno Udrih and former NBAers Primo Brezic and Bostjan Nachbar. The best news (for Blazer Fans) out of Slovenian camp is that Sasha "The Machine" Vujacic was recently cut from the team.
Team	Comment
Poland	Poland is looking to play off the home court advantage they should have as the host country. That and hoping Marcin Gorat plays like Dwight Howard. The only other player with NBA experience is Maciej Lampe, the former Knick project. Poland did play Spain down to the wire in a warm up match last week which could help them with their confidence. Watch for 40 year old Polish legend Adam Wojcik, to lay it all out on the line for the home crowd.
Turkey	The Turkish team is lead by our old pal Hedo Turkoglu. Hidayet teams with former Buck Ersan Ilyasova, to form a dynamic duo at the forward positions. The problem for Turkey is that Mehmet Okur and the Turkish coach don't see eye to eye, meaning Okur is staying home. Is there no loyalty in Turkey?
Lithuania	Lithuania has had success over the years on the world stage, and was expected to field a team capable of making a run at it this year. A number of key players are not on the roster for EuroBasket 2009, including Darius Songalia and Sarunas Jasikevicius. That leaves recent NBA defect Linus Kleiza to fend for himself. Where's Arvydas Sabonis when you need him?
Bulgaria	Last but not least we have basketball powerhouse Bulgaria. It's never good for your tournament hopes when your best player cannot play due to religious obligations (leading scorer Ibby Jaabeer) especially when your team lacks the overall talent level of most of the other teams. This sounds like the scenario where the team might just be happy to have qualified. I'll be rooting for them to pull off an upset though.