Next EuroCup challenge – face-off with Turks in Izmir

This will be the fourth game in the last three seasons when both teams meet on the game court and in all of them victory was on the side of the Turks even though Ventspils had quite the opportunities to upset its rivals. The biggest upset was during the last meeting in Ventspils when the hosts were trailing by more than 10 and even 20 points for the biggest part of that game. During the last quarter there a ray of hope flickered but Bobby Dixon and John Diebler quickly smothered it. Basketball club from Izmir won that game 81:72, as well as won three out of four EuroCup games, losing just to Krasnodar’s “Lokomotiv”. Ventspils results are proportionally opposite – one victory and three losses.

If Turks (5-2) have almost secured themselves a place in the next round of EuroCup tournament which can be sealed with another victory, then all the most important fights are just ahead for Ventspils (2-5). Besides it won’t only depend on the results of Ventspils games but also the results of the rivals. There will be nothing unimportant during the last three games because it will be quite impossible to qualify to next round without winning a game or two. Right now BK “Ventspils” can not only pull ahead of the “Buducnost” team, but also “PAOK” – for the latter to happen two victories will be needed. So it would be great if one victory was taken this Wednesday in Turkey, before the game in Greece, thus holding off Turks from qualifying for the next round, as well as increasing Ventspils own chances to get further.
Before going to Izmir BK “Ventspils” broke its three-game losing streak, confidently winning the game against the ambitious “Barons/LDz” 101-66. While during the first half both teams played on the same level, then after the half-time break the guests more or less destroyed their rivals, scoring 54 points in the second half while allowing them to score just 28. Also “Karsiyaka” got a confident win on the road, too, beating other well-known acquaintances of Ventspils “Royal Hali Gaziantepa”. Bobby Dixon scored 27 points, Juan Palacios got a double-double 14 points and 10 rebounds, and gave five assists.

Even if the energy of roster of the Turkish team is already known, and Ventspils knows what to expect from it, then some from the Latvian team will get to know “Karsiyaka” fans. Even though EuroCup games are not usually full-house events, just the game versus “PAOK” was sold out, but the Turkish fans are always loud. Besides Turks managed to lose exactly that game against PAOK after two overtime in front of the sold out arena. Another loss was brought by “Fenerbache Ulker”, so maybe it is time for them to get their next loss? Right now Izmir is in good health and form that is not only proved by its success in the EuroCup tournament, but also in the national championship. The last loss – counting both tournaments - was experienced on November 15 (82:87 in overtime against “Besiktas”), which was followed by four game winning streak. BK “Ventspils” just broke its losing streak but maybe it will be possible to break the winning streak of the Turks? All in all, it is well known, that Ventspils went to Turkey with just one thought on mind – and that is victory! Moreover, it has been quite some time since Ventspils came back from Turkey with a victory in tow!
Next Wednesday Ventspils is once again playing on the road, facing “PAOK” in Thessaloniki, Greece, but on December 17 Ventspils will end its first qualification round of EuroCup versus Polish team “Stelmet”.