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Turkish team filled with stars visits Kiev

Budivelnik is a synonym for improvement of Ukrainian basketball, last year they were in Eurocup semi-finals and they host one of the most expensive teams in Europe led by Zeljko Obradovic with high ambitions

Budivelnik are starting their historical first Euroleague season at home. They are highly motivated and wish to win their first game against strong Fener. They are fully oriented towards the Euroleague since they have no real opponents in domestic league and in the first round they demolished Kiev, one of the better teams in Ukrainian league.

They had a strong preseason where they showed their potential. Last year they player Eurocup semi-finals where they were eliminated by Bilbao but today they are even better and have players with European experience.

- There is no need to explain how enthusiastic we are about this game. To make matters more important, we are playing against phenomenal team lea by the best coach in Europe. During preparations for this game we did not watch many of their games, I think it is most important how we will play. We know all players Fener have and there is no need to tell my players how Bogdanovic or McCalebb play - sad Bagatskis who has a special approach to preparing games.

Their coach Bagatskis led Latvian on Eurobasket and he has a great last season in Eurocup. Last season they often played matchup zone defense led by Delaney and Lyons, they often double-teamed in corners while Anisimovs defended the paint with his height and good blocking.

Ukranian media write about the importance of stopping guard duo McCalebb-Bogdanovic and that problem is reflect in Budivelnik acquisitions. Downs and Minard are knows as very good defensive guards. 

- It is hard to scout them because their bench is so long, they have top offensive players on all positions. We need more than individual defense, our team effort is most important - said coach Bagatskis.

Budivelnik are good team on paper, but on the court it is a different story. Especially when the richest team in Europe comes to your arena. Fenerbache have impressive team and people in Budivelnik know that.

- We won against Rixos in the Cup, but today's game has no similarity with that game. We are really very excited to open the Euroleague at home against such team, but I think we have a chance. The key is to look at ourselves and to play our game as best as we can - said American guard Blake.

Budivelnik have a good team with Darijus lavrinovic and Anisimovs at center, NBA player DeJuan Summers on power forward, great shooting guards Drozdov and Strelnieks and point guard Aheam - that looks respective. Bagatskis is a good coach and he can bring out the best from his team.

Zeljko Obradovic, a coach with most trophies in Europe, is slowly piecing things together in Istanbul. But we will have to wait a few months before we can see the real Fener because they will not be in full lineup until then. Today they again can not count on their captain Omer Onen and two big players Oguz Savas and Ilkan Karaman. Linas Kleiza will return into the lineup after missing their last game. He was suspended by Turkish league management for verbally assaulting referees during the game against Galatasaray in Supercup.

His absence was not felt in their game against Mersino since Nemanja Bjelica used his opportunity and scored 15 points (6/7 from the field), had 9 rebounds and 3 assists in only 22 minutes. With Luka Zoric, Bjelica and Kleiza are their two most important acquisitions this summer. 

- This is not a three-player team. We have many young and talented players that are promising. I talk to them also and that is of immense importance for them - Obradovic refused to talk only about the start in his team.

Bogdanovic scored 18 points in the first half and the whole team was offensively efficient (they scored 100 points) dominant. Obradovic uses Mahmutoglu, a player that pleasantly surprised this season, as a substitute for Bogdanovic and young Kenan Sipahi, who was an MVP at the last U-18 European Championship, as a substitute for McCalebb. But it is obvious we will see one rotation in Euroleague and completely another in Turkish league because of the rule that limits the number of foreign players on the court in a single team.

- In our group we have Barcelona and CSKA, two teams that are among favorites every season. But, it is always difficult to play against the team like Partizan and Budivelnik that are playing Euroleague for the first time. Every game is important and our goal is Top 16- said Obradovic.

Budivelnik will play in the Euroleague for the first time and they will be motivated. We have to be ready and play a really good game.

Zoric and Vidmar will share minutes at center position, Kleiza and Bjelica at power forward, Preldzic is their first forward option while Bogdanovic and McCalebb will start at guard positions. Vidmar will have important role because of Lavrinovic on the opposite side and Preldzic will have a difficult defensive task since the Ukranians have strong forwards Downs and Summers.

McCalebb was an extremely important offensive option of Fenerbahce last season. This season too, but not so much anymore. This is a completely different team now where Obradovic will have new tasks for him. Bogdanovic is the first option, Kleiza is a big name and a great reinforcement and he has to do his expected time, there is also Preldzic and Bjelica who steals 7-8 balls and Macedonian has the task of making everyone happy. I think this needs to be played and the stake would be even higher if Fenerbahce had some other excellent playmaker, but they don't. Obradovic brought a young Turkish hope Sipahi and he will have his time in play, but the question is how much in the Euroleague. There are Baris and Ermis on the point guard position as well but I wouldn't be surprised if he is the second option.