By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
It’s now springtime in Europe, but the icy grip of the organized crime ring that operates on basketball courts across the continent is neither warm nor fuzzy. On the contrary, chaos once more reigns supreme, as we saw again last week. There is no rest for the wicked. Five more arrest were made, although this kind of police action has proven futile again. No one was send to jail. Even those perpetrators who have long criminal records got a free pass. The authorities are again at square one.
It’s more than obvious at this point that there’s some kingpin behind the scene orchestrating all this. Could he be one of the suspects that were released this week? Read about their low-life exploits and decide for yourselves.
Stefan Jovic: You can’t underestimate this Serb thug any more. After his alleged crimes in Athens against Panathinaikos, he was spotted in Malaga, blackmailing Unicaja. Once more he did every hideous act possible. He scored 16 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished 5 assists, stunning the Spaniards. By the time they realized what exactly was going on, Crvena Zvezda Telekom had stolen the game and Jovic was already on his way back to Belgrade, ready to strike again.
Andrey Vorontsevich: He is intimidating, but according to many witnesses, also has a strange soft side to him. This Russian criminal is operating with finesse, unlike many of his compatriots, moving like a Bolshoi dancer at times, before delivering his killer blows. He is one of the longest-standing members of the notorious CSKA Moscow gang. He proved he can get the job done with 17 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals against Laboral Kutxa Vitoria Gasteiz. But most importantly he didn’t make not even one turnover. His prey didn’t stand a chance.
Stratos Perperoglou: He may seem meek and harmless, but he is one pink panther-type thief.. This Greek con artist is operating quite some time away from his home country and his low profile is his weapon. You don’t expect this quiet guy to be a brutal butcher, right? Well, think again. How else can you describe the way he killed Real Madrid with 20 points and 6 rebounds, making all the right moves when it really counted for FC Barcelona Lassa? His Greek name translates as “walking the path of virtue”. It can’t get more ironic than that.
Dimitris Diamantidis: His reputation proceeds him and despite the fact that according to police sources he is ready to retire, probably to some isolated Greek island where he would stay silent just watching the sea, the crime lord of Athens is always ready to get his hands dirty if needed. On three different occasions so far in recent months Panathinaikos was the victim of Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar, so it was time for him to act. After 15 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals it was obvious who is the legend on the court.
Bradley Wanamaker: Bamberg is known for its beer, but this American enforcer has other things in mind for his adopted city’s reputation. Suddenly Brose Baskets is a contender in the crime ring and he was the man who solidified this fact. The Russians of Khimki Moscow Region never knew what hit them. He had 25 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assist, making Bavaria, of all places, a new point of reference in criminal activity. It’s the first time that Interpol took notice of him, but it will not be the last.
Art credit: JPsportart