Yesterday started in London (Great Britain) the last Euroleague's Nike International Tournament of the season, with eight teams fighting for a spot in the Final Four of Paris (France). Maccabi Tel-Aviv, with already a 2-0 record, showed its potential. In the tournament's opening game israelians beat Khimki (77-87) led by guard Tomer Bar Even ('92), at the pic. The prospect was one of the day big names after collecting 25 points (10/13 FG), 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals, while guard Tamir Simchony ('92) helped with 15 and 3 assists. For russians the best valorated player was forward Alexander Zakharov ('93) with 12 points and 5 rebounds. Khimki have a very young squad, with most of prospects borned in 1993.
The other Maccabi's victory was in the last day's game over locals of Barking Abbey (58-80). In this case the victory was led by guard Orel Lev ('93), with 25 points (10/17 FG), 6 rebounds and 4 steals. Center Axel Van-Ouwerwerk ('92) also shined with 16 points (8/10 twos) and 7 rebounds. For english team guard Josh Johnson ('92) nailed 15 with 2/5 behind the arc. Israelians struggled at three points line (14%), but the 65% in twos was one of the keys of the victory.
Slovenians of Olimpija Ljubljana started well the tournament also, with an important victory over Gran Canaria (83-95). The spaniards came to London without africans Bakary Konate ('93) and Tridon Makonda ('94), due to visa problems. Guard Jan Span ('92), MVP on last U-18 International Tournament of Tenerife, showed his skills with 25 points and 9 assists. His teammate Klemen Prepelic ('93) helped with 24 and 4/9 threes, while Gezim Morina ('92) collected a double-double (20 points and 10 rebounds). Guard Christian Diaz ('92), the best of the losers with 25 and 5/8 behind the arc. Point-guard Fabio Santana ('92) scored 19, grabbed 6 rebounds and made 5 steals.
USK Future Stars of Czech Republic also started the competition with a victory over Biella (65-73) with 2.15 center Ondrej Balvin ('92) shining: 20 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. Guard Jan Hartman ('92) scored 15 with 5/10 FG for winners also. At italian side forward Eric Lombardi ('93) nailed 19 points and pulled down 11 boards, while swedish prospect William Magarity ('93) collected 12 points, 6 rebounds and 1 block.
The last team participating is Zadar, from Croatia. They started with a 0-2 record after losing against Barking Abbey (86-64) and Khimki (79-80). Against locals wasn't enough the performance of forward Emilio Banic ('93) with 15 points and 8 rebounds after shocking against a team led by Josh Johnson ('92): 27 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. At english squad also shined Teddy Okereafor ('92) with 18 and 4 rebounds. Finally they lost again with Khimki even good job of forward Benjamin Bucaj ('93) with a double-double (18 points and 10 rebounds). Alexander Zakharov ('93), the best russian with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 steals.
Standings
Group A: Maccabi (2-0), Khimki (1-1), Barking Abbey (1-1) and Zadar (0-2).
Group B: Olimpija (1-0), Future Stars (1-0), Biella (0-1) and Gran Canaria (0-1).
Photo: FIBA Europe / Ciamillo Castoria
