Team Focus: Besiktas ColaTurka
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2007-2008 Games
Regular Season
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at BK Ventspils
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Nov. 06
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vs Köln 99ers
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Nov. 13
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at FMP
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Nov. 20
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vs Ovarense Aerosoles
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Nov. 27
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at Elan Chalon
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Dec. 04
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vs BK Ventspils
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Dec. 11
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at Köln 99ers
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Dec. 18
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vs FMP
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Jan. 08
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at Ovarense Aerosoles
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Jan. 15
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vs Elan Chalon
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Jan. 22
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Classic Turkish power Besiktas ColaTurka is back in the ULEB Cup with a star-studded cast ready to make a major impact. Veteran coach Engin Ataman has a powerful lineup in store to play uptempo basketball, with experienced Euroleaguers in the form of centers Sandro Nicevic and Kaya Peker, forward Preston Shumpert and guard Christian Dalmau. Rick Apodaca represents even more scoring power, while returnees Erkan Veyseloglu and Cevher Ozer bring continuity. Dalmau and Apodaca are a backcourt match made in heaven. The friends from Puerto Rico are both offensive dynamos in their own way. Apodaca is an incredible shooter, while Dalmau thrives with the ball in his hands, creating shots for himself and others. Rebii Baris Guney made his impact felt with solid defense off the bench last season and young Arin Sogancioglu can fill in when playmaking is needed. Shumpert brings the complete package as small forward, shooting, passing and defense. Veyseloglu has a great touch from the perimeter and power forward Ozer is a tough guy in the paint, who can be counted on for rebounds and blocks. Jacob Jaacks could become a crown favorite for his passion inside. Jaacks has the intensity to battle the toughest centers around as well as the finesse to step outside and hit jumpers. Nicevic is one of the best passing big men in the game, a fact that will make everyone on the floor even more dangerous when he has the ball. Peker, a late addition, promises to bang with the biggest centers in the competition. Perhaps the most important piece to the puzzle is the experienced Ataman, who has the know-how to get the best of his team and to get them to come together at the right time. No Turkish club has made a serious run in the ULEB Cup before, but keep an eye out for Besiktas this season as it looks to make history.
 2006-07 | ULEB Cup | | Season | (2-8) | TURKEY | | Season | (17-13) | | Playoffs | Quarterfinal |
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Besiktas Cola Turka is one of the most famous teams in Turkey. The club was founded in 1903 under the name of Bereket Gymnastic Club, as sports like gymnastics, wrestling, boxing or athletics were their priorities in the early days. Soccer started in the 1910s and it took years for Besiktas to start its own basketball section. Success has been difficult for Besitkas throughout the decades, but even with that, the team won the Turkish league in 1975 and added a Turkish President Cup Final in 1987. Tough years followed, as only the economic troubles of Yildrimspor, which disappeared for financial reason, saved Besiktas from being relegated to the Turkish second division. That happened to be the turning point for the "Black Eagles", as the team was fifth in 1998 and qualified to the Korac Cup for the third time in history. Besiktas made it to the 1999 Korac Cup quarterfinals, and also reached the eighthfinals in 2000 and the Saporta Cup eighthfinals in 2001. Besiktas had to wait until the 2003-04 season to make it to the Turkish League semifinals, but lost to Ulker 3-1 in that stage. Besiktas took part in the 2005 FIBA Champions Cup, but archrivals Fenerbahce advanced in a best-of-three quarterfinals playoff. The team did better back in Turkey, as Besiktas was third at the end of the regular season and took revenge against Ulker in the semifinals behind an outstanding Khalid El-Amin, reaching the title series against Efes Pilsen, who escaped with yet another Turkish League title. Besiktas did not reach the ULEB Cup elimination rounds in 2005-06, but made it once again to the Turkish League semifinals, losing 3-2 against Efes. Last season, Besiktas stepped down in the Turkish League quarterfinals against archrivals Galatasaray. With a strong sponsor and a long basketball tradition, Besiktas will be a team to follow in its ULEB Cup return.
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Tuesday, October 09, 2007
ULEBCup.com
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