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Efes are left without Gonlum for about one month

Kerem played in top form, had on average over 12 points per game for Turkey and his absence will be a handicap, even though Efes have good players in the paint like Barac, Erden and Savanovic

Efes are starting this season somewhat in a "background" position, not as hot favorites but are lurking from behind. They haven't spent too much money on transfer market this season. The last season was rather unsuccessful for them, despite the arrival of two NBA players, Vujacic and Farmar. However, that duo didn't deliver so they were dismissed. Their replacements could contribute much more; Zoran Planinic in playmaker position and Kostas Vasileidis in Guard/forward position.

In the preliminary period they lost a lot of matches. They were beaten by Olympiacos, Banvit, Khimki and also by their today's opponents Galatasaray; that match ended 90-85. Today we can expect somewhat different match, the importance is far greater, and especially for Efes who are already pitted in the second round against their rivals Fenerbahce.

The last week they played in the cup, group D match, together with Mersina, who were the hosts, and Turk Telecom and TED from Ankara. Things were not as they expected, they lost on the second day to Vrankovic's Telecom with 101-96 in overtime and so they had to give their best against the hosts Mersina, in direct clash for qualifying to the quarterfinals.

- We had to win this match. That was important to me. We're not fully ready yet, this is a young squad and we're still seeking our identity, but we need to prepare for the start of the season. We have a good potential and growth opportunity - said Oktay Mahmuti, Efes' coach.

Their main strenght is in playmeker position as well as on tall players’ positions. Zoran Planinic picked up where he left of last season whan he played for Khimki; in three cup matches he scored 35 points with 20 assists and 8 rebounds. Savanovic, Erden and Gonlum had excellent displays in the paint, while among the tall players the least oppotrunities were given to Stanko Barac, only six minutes in one match.

However, that could easily be changed in the following month because experienced Kerem Gonlum is out for Efes due to hand injury he picked up on training session. That's a big blow for Efes because Gonlum played in magnificent form, was the best Turkish player in Eurobasket with over 12 points on average per match. Savanovic will certainly spend much time on court in today's match and will probbably have interesting clashes with Erceg, maybe Macvan, if Milan would be in Galatasaray's coach rotation.

It will be interesting to see how will Planinic cope with much shorter Arroy, but it's sure that he has the height advantage and one of the tactical details will be to attack the opponent with back on that position.

While Efes had a plenty of time to prepare themselves for this encounter, Galatasaray had to travel to Samsuna on the coast of the Black Sea to play their match in the Super cup against their arch rivals Fenerbahce, who were very much weakened with the absences of Bjelica, Savas, Onan and Karaman. Not even that helped the reigning champions, Fenerbahce won the last quarter by 20-14, 64-62 in the end, and lift the trophy even though Galatasaray were in lead for more than 35 minutes of the match. They were trailing by three points in the last minute, and then Arroy scored and had additional free throw, but after that Prlezic, with his solo effort, took away all their hopes. Coach Ataman, as expected, due to "foreigners rule", left Macvan and Markoisvili out of the squad.

They earned their place in the quarterfinals last week with three wins, they barely managed to beat Besiktas with 69-67, while they "resolved their issues" with Aliaga and Usak much easier. Arroyo scored 19 points against Besiktas, Arslan added 15, while Domercant missed all of his five attempts. On that occasion also Ataman didn't include Macvan and Markosvili in the squad. Ahead of this match it is unknown who will be left on the stands this time.

Galatasaray are currently an extremely powerful defensive team. They keepFenerbahce with McCalebb, Bogdanovic, Kleiz, Zoric, Preldzic at 64 points, with Fener scoring 20 points in the last quarter. Efes have a great point guard in Planinic, but i expect Ataman to send Jamont Gordon to stop him, and not Arroyo who is much shorter. When Efes were much better in offense last season, Galatasaray left them at 70, 64 and 73 points. The situation is much different this season because each team has to have at least two Turkish player in the game at all times, and Efes have also rejuvenated their squad and I think they will be in big trouble, especially if Gordon does well stopping Planinic. Gonlum's absence speaks in favor of this bet, even though Efes are better in the paint than Fener even without him.