By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
This weekend marks the start of the season in many domestic leagues all over Europe, however there’s still one big preparation tournament that make headlines. At Moscow “Gomelsky Cup” is held annually by CSKA in memory of legendary Russian coach Alexander Gomelsky.
The host team, coached by a modern European coaching great Ettore Messina, won just by a basket Zalgiris Kaunas (89-87) thanks to Aaron Jackson who scored the game winner. Center Sasha Kaun (photo) was the top scorer of CSKA with 19 points, however the Lithuanian team was the one which stole the show with a great team performance.
The big result of the day came in the first game of the tournament and it was a win of Russian club Lokomotiv Kuban against Euroleague champion Olympiacos (82-79). American guard Jimmy Baron with 21 points was the top scorer for the winners. The Greek team had the last possession, but couldn’t send the game to overtime with a three point shot. It was just the second game the Reds lost during their preparation for the season.
In Germany, Bayern Munich just two days after the firing of coach Dirk Bauermann played against Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos and lost (83-77). Center Sofoklis Shortsanitis with 18 points in 17 minutes was the man of the match. That was the second win in two days for Panathinaikos in Germany. On Friday the Greens didn’t face any problem against BBC Bayreuth 91-78.