By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Friday was a busy day for teams all over Europe and even though they are still exhibition games, some results are pretty good indications about the current status of the teams. So, Khimki can smile and Maccabi Tel Aviv must find immediately a power forward to replace Pops Mensah-Bonsu after the Russians’ win against the Israelis in the tournament of Nuremberg by 80-60. On the bright side for Maccabi, it seems that after a bitter summer between the two sides, the team and guard Yogev Ohayon are reconciliating and he will be a part of coach Blatt’s plans.
The second game of the Nuremberg tournament was one more win for Euroleague champions Olympiacos against the host team, German champions Bamberg (96-81). It was an opportunity for German fans to give a standing ovation to their former player Kyle Hines (photo) and they did just that.
In Vitoria, Spain, Caja Laboral hosted EA7 Armani and got the win just by a bucket (77-75). Argentinian star Andres Nocioni was the top scorer for the winners with 15 points, while Greek center Yiannis Bourousis with 25 points did his best for the Italians.
Three more teams proved that Euroleague teams are usually above all other competitions in Europe. Panathinaikos didn’t had any problem against Apollon Patras (69-51), Unicaja Malaga had an easy night against Manresa (69-55) as Croatian guard Krunoslav Simon scored 20 points and Anadolu Efes’ players stretched their legs against Krka from Slovania (64-47). Serbian club Partizan was the exception to the rule, after loosing a game in Spain against Fuenlabrada (89-64).