2nd chance versus Izmir’s Karsiyaka, now at the Eurocup level

We can call the Turks acquaintances but definitely not friends. During the first game in Ventspils in a very dramatic ending Turkish went home with a victory 86:81, but the home game in Izmir was won more confidently – 84:75. During the game in Ventspils and during its most important moments few players proved themselves to be the best at the game. These players are still with the team two years later – Bobby Dixon cruised past every rival player, made an assist to Jon Diebler on the perimeter who took his chance and was successful. Truth be told, there are just two other people left from that season’s roster – the guard Senturk Soner and the head coach Ufuk Sarica.
Turkish team started off their EuroCup season with an unexpected loss at home against PAOK, losing the game in the second overtime 81:87. Turks won the game on the road 82:79 in Montenegro against “Buducnost” who played without audience Montenegrins being punished for the behaviour of their fans during the game (and after it) of previous season vs. PAOK. Right now Turks are ahead of Ventspils because of the +/- point ratio, meaning the stake of this game for Ventspils is a place in the group Top 3.

Until now Sarica has put his greatest trust in five players: Bobby Dixon who have played the biggest time on court – 39 (!) minutes, also Diebler and Columbian forward Juan Palacios in the last two EuroCup games have played more than half an hour - 35,5 and 31 minutes respectively. American guard Darryl Strawberry and Turkish forward Baris Hersek follow close behind with their own playing time. Some players play approximately under 15 to 20 minutes, so it is not hard to guess the head coach’s favourites.

It is also clear as day that the best scorers are in this top 5 – Dixon on average scores 24 points per game, makes 3 assists, but also makes 6,5 turnover, Palacios scores on average 21 point per game and gets 9 rebounds, Diebler has made 55,6% of threes (Ventspils’ Gulbis percentage of threes - 83,3%). Turnover have been especially a big problem for the team, averaging around 20 turnovers per game. It is this element of the game that prevents the team from playing persistent because they don’t lack good players in neither of the positions. This team hasn’t quite come together as a team yet and it should be used to Ventspils advantage.

Yes, on Ventspils team there are also five players who have played more than others but contribution to the final result from each and every player is more or less even. Because of his injury Artjoms Butjankovs is the only player who has not played in the EuroCup yet but those who have played under ten minutes are just 2 – Andrejs Grazulis (9:12) and Kristaps Kanbergs (1).

In their respective national championships both teams have started similarly as “Karsiyaka” has won all of three games played until now, while BK “Ventspils” has come out with 4 victories in 4 games. The first game of national championship was against another EuroCup team “Banvit” beating them by 4 points, “Darussafaka” has also three victories, while other five team have 2 wins.

The game on Wednesday starts as usual at 19.00, the week after this Ventspils will welcome Greek “PAOK”. The first round of the group tournament Ventspils team will end with their second road trip while paying a visit to the Polish “Stelmet”. During the second round of the group tournament Ventspils will play on their home court just twice that is why home games are so important and of such a high value! The team hopes that during all of them our beloved sixth player – our fans – will be there supporting and cheering!

Used sources:
Eurocup - Welcome to Eurocup
European Basketball Main Page - EUROBASKET