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EuroBasket.com News Headlines

1. Euroleague - Matjaz Smodis retires from basketball

   Matjaz Smodis

   One of the most dominant forwards of the past decade, three-time Euroleague champion Matjaz Smodis has decided to retire, at the age of 33, after finishing his career as a champion. Playing for his hometown team Krka Novo Mesto, a club where he started his career, Smodis was named the MVP of the playoffs finals, as Krka downed Union Olimpija 61-71 in Game 4, to win its fourth consecutive domestic title

   
   
2. Euroleague - Emporio Armani will not keep Sergio Scariolo

   Sergio Scariolo

   Emporio Armani will part ways with Sergio Scariolo (agency: Alti Sport ) in the post-season. The Italian powerhouse opted not to use the option to prolong the contract of the specialist for the third season. Sergio Scariolo (agency: Alti Sport ) failed to advance into SeriaA semifinals this season. Emporio Armani lost to Montepaschi Siena in seven-game quarterfinal marathon. Last (11/12) season Emporio Armani also surrendered to Siena in the Finals

   
   
3. Spain - Vasilis Spanoulis may sign to Regal Barcelona?

   Vassilis Spanoulis

   Deal of the Year in European basketball? Spanish media reported that Xavi Pasquale's team is interested in the Euroleague MVP who led the Olympiacos two European championships, when the contract ends this summer. Spanish media reported this morning that Barcelona is in advanced negotiations with Vasilis Spanoulis, the MVP of the Euroleague last season who was the main factor in two recent wins European Championships Olympiakos last two years

   
   
4. Spain - Valencia interested in Scotty Hopson and Matt Lojeski

   Scotty Hopson

   Valencia is playing the quarterfinals in ACB but is already programming next season. As reported by twitter , the Spanish team is pursuing Matt Lojeski and Scotty Hopson. Matt Lojeski scored 19.7 points, took 5 rebounds and passed 3.3 asists per game this season. Lojeski playing with BC Talented Oostende this season. Scotty hopson score 19 points, took 5.4 rebounds and passed 2.8 assists per game. Hopson signed Hapoel Eilat last summer to one season contract

   
   
5. VTB United League - Tautvydas Lydeka extends contract with Lietuvos Rytas

   Tautvydas Lydeka

   Lietuvos Rytas and Tautvydas Lydeka (208-C/F-83) have agreed on terms of contract extension. The centre signed a new one-year deal with the Vilnius team. Tautvydas Lydeka joined Lietuvos Rytas back in February. He tallied 8.8 points and 5.0 boards per game in LKL. The centre also notched 7.0 points, 3.3 boards and 1.0 assist per game in VTB League. The centre started the season with Krasnie Krilya. Lydeka delivered 2.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per EuroChallenge game

   
   
6. Lithuania - Donatas Zavackas selected the top Lithuanian playing abroad in last week's games

   Tautvydas Lydeka

   We bring you last week's top performances from Lithuanians who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level. This week's number one is an experienced former U20 international forward Donatas Zavackas (203-80), who plays in Latvia. He could not help VEF Riga (11-7) in their last game. Despite Zavackas' very good performance the fourth-placed VEF Riga was crushed 104-82 on the road by the leading Khimky in the group B of VTB United Le

   
   
7. Germany - Tim Schonborn Signs With The Dragons Rhondorf

   Tim Schonborn

   Pro B club Dragons Rhondorf have announced the arrival of Tim Schonborn (191-G-90) Schonborn is a 22 year old 191cm guard that will play his first season with Rhondorf. Last season the German played for the Hertener Loewen (ProB) playing 26 games: 10.0ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 80.8%. "With Tim we have another young player that isnt at the end of his development yet

   
   
8. Germany - The Miles Basketball Minute 2013 Beko BBL Semi Final Playoff Preview ratiopharm Ulm-EWE Baskets Oldenburg 3-1

   John Bryant

   For many basketball fanatics, the simple basketball charge advancement of the EWE Baskets Olenburg over the Telekom Baskets Bonn seemed like it would be a routine task and as typical as many think Lebron James and the Miami Heat will win back to back titles, seeing Diddy, Beyonce and Chris Brown in the tabloids daily or seeing the New York Yankees a top the MLB east standings, but instead Bonn made life very tough for the 2009 Beko BBL champion taking them to five games

   
   
9. Belgium - Aalstar keep John Tofi for the next season

   John Tofi

   Okapi Aalstar have extended the contract with John Tofi (203-F/C-84, college: UTEP). The Samoan centre will enter his second straight season with the team. This current season John Tofi notched 12.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game in the EuroChallenge. He also tallies 12.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per appearance in the Ethias League. Previously John Tofi played for Leuven Bears and Pepinster. He was named into All-Belgian League 2nd Team in 2011.

   
   
10. Denmark - Summer in Svendborg

    Donald Rutherford

    Recently the club reported that they have signed Head Coach Graig Pedersen to a long-term deal of 4 years. Doing so should secure a continuity to the program and may also help attract players, as Pedersen is highly regarded as one of the top coaches in Denmark in recent years. On another positive note the Rabbits also reported re-signing Claus Magaard, one of the CDL's top shooters

    
    
11. Estonia - Estonian U16 National Team 2013

    Norman Kabin

    4Norman Kabin170-PG-97Parnu II 5Siim Post182-G-97 6Kaspar-Erik Puusepp196-F-98 7Ivalo Pajumets191-G-97Audentese/N. 8Jurgen Jurgenson203-C-97Parnu 9Tom Kaldre185-SG-98 10Karl Suurorg198-SF-98Audentese/N. 11Madis Soodla200-F/C-97Audentese/N. 12Robert Valge187-SF-97Parnu 13Kregor Hermet195-PF-97Audentese/N. 14Sander Viilup186-SG-97Parnu II 15Arnold Mitt206-C-98

    
    
12. United Kingdom - Eurobasket.com All-British EBL Division Two Awards 2013

    Norman Kabin

    Finals MVP: Karolis Stepanavicius (198-F) of Newham Nept.; Player of the Year: Matt Gwynne (6'10''-F/C) of Cary Invasion; Guard of the Year: Thomas Ward (183-PG) of Manchester M.; Forward of the Year: Karolis Stepanavicius (198-F) of Newham Nept.; Center of the Year: Matt Gwynne (6'10''-F/C) of Cary Invasion; Bosman Player of the Year: Karolis Stepanavicius (198-F) of Newham Nept.; Import Player of the Year: Matt Gwynne (6'10''-F/C) of Cary Invasion; Domestic Player of the Year: Thomas Ward (183

    
    
13. Norway - Norwegian U16 National Team 2013

    Harald Frey

    4Simen Holsaeter171-G-97 5Harald Frey180-PG-97Baerum Basket 6Christoper Dobree-Bell178-G-97 7Flemming Ravndal191-SG-97 8Gaute Haugen185-G-97 9Mathias Fossum197-F-97 10Sondre Rodal184-G-97 11Mattis De Jong190-G-98 12Mats Selboe186-F-97 13Peder Frantzvaag202-C-98 14Sindre Jensen200-C-97 15August Volckmar195-F-97 Per Toien Head Coach Kjetil Andresen Assistant

    
    
14. Holland - Leiden swept the Finals 4-0 against Leeuwarden and won 2012/2013 Play-offs

    Harald Frey

    Leiden swept the Finals 4-0 against Leeuwarden and won 2012/2013 Play-offs. The second team of the Regular Season posted a 65:59 win in Game 4 to become the Champions of the country. Leeuwarden had nothing to lose in the game and started with 14-11 lead. Leiden however replied with a 21-16 burst in the second frame and added 12-11 rally in the third period. They also won the last quarter 21-20 and sealed a 2012/2013 title.

    
    
15. France - ProA Round 2 of Semi-Finals. Strasbourg and Nanterre to clash for title

    Alexis Ajinca

    ASVEL - Strasbourg 52-73 Strasbourg outgunned ASVEL on the road and sealed the title series appearance. Strasbourg IG shot 61.7 percent from the field. It was a great shooting night for Strasbourg IG especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 55.0 percentage. The former international center Alexis Ajinca (215-88, agency: Priority Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 14 points and 6 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field)

    
    
16. European Championships - Rimantas Kaukenas and Darius Songaila confirm EuroBasket absence

    Darius Songaila

    Rimantas Kaukenas (192-SG-77, college: Seton Hall) and Darius Songaila (204-C/F-78, agency: Priority Sports, college: Wake Forest) confirm EuroBasket absence. Two Lithuanian veterans will not help the National team in Slovenia. Rimantas Kaukenas enjoys the season with Zalgiris. The Lithuanian star came back from Italy last year. Montepaschi Siena enjoyed two seasons with the shooting guard Rimantas Kaukenas. In 2011-2012 for Montepaschi Siena he averaged 14

    
    
17. Turkey - Anadolu Efes clinch the last Semifinal spot

    Sinan Guler

    Anadolu Efes - TED Kolejliler 97-61 (2-1) Anadolu Efes clinch the last Semifinal spot in the Play-offs. The EuroLeague representative overcame TED Kolejliler 97:61 in the decisive third game. The game without a history. Anadolu Efes led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to TED Kolejliler's 36

    
    
18. Bulgaria - Levski stole the home court advantage from Lukoil Academic

    Marko Marinovic

    Levski stole the home court advantage from Lukoil Academic after they beat them in the first final match of the National Basketball League. In a very interesting game in Pravets "The blues" led almost the entire game, and at the end of a very dramatic finish the score was 88-84 for 1-0 in their favor in the series. The series are best of 5 as a very interesting match is coming after one day off in Pravets at 15

    
    
19. European Championships U18 - Latvia will host U18 European Championship Men Division A

    Dario Saric

    Latvia will host U18 European Championship Men Division A on 18 - 28 July 2013. Liepaja, Riga & Ventspils will invite the players for the tournament this year

    
    
20. Greece - Panionios bring in Errick McCollum

    Errick McCollum

    Panionios have secured the services of Errick McCollum (185-PG-88, college: Goshen) for the next season. The point guard is in his third pro season. He spent it with Apollon Patras in Greece. Errick McCollum averaged 15.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game in A1 League. Last season the guard spent in Israel. He played for Hapoel Kfar Saba/Kohav Yair. The guard notched impressive 24.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.2 steals per game in the National League