For some reason, it is hard to find people that like basketball in Poland. We have been trying to establish a contact in Poland for two years now, but nobody really seems to care.
My journey took me from Rome, Italy to Gdynia, Poland which is not even five kilometers away from the Asseco Prokom arena – well do they have an arena?! I have really tried to get in contact with any Sopot official to get a media credential so I can get a view on the team and talk about it.
After writing several unanswered emails and probably even as much phone calls, I did finally get an response that I have to follow the rules of the Polish league and Euroleague to be able to get credentials (If anybody speaks Polish – let me know!)
Now for the fans – each team gives away the credentials for each game during the normal play of the Euroeleague. I never had problems with getting to cover games for our readers – nowhere in the Euroleague and not even to cover NBA finals – but in Prokom for some reason it seems to be a problem.
We will se how it goes since I really wanted to live blog the game next week of Asseco at home. Any response from a Sopot official will be highly appreciated.
Overall record prediction: 3-7
So how about the team. Since I had to wait to see some play of Asseco until now, when Sopot plays against Siena, this is our last preview of all the 24 Euroleague teams.
I do remember Ronny Burrell and Koko Archibong from Germany, where Burrell played for Cologne two seasons ago and was pretty impressive in the Euroleague. Koko was with Bamberg that year and then went to play for Frankfurt, where he was injured for a long time. Both get some help – well major help from David Logan, who is probably the main scorer on the team, along with Daniel Ewing who totally failed to prove he is an important player during the game against Montepaschi.
A few days ago Asseco announced the new signing of Pat Burke, and Irish guy who also played in the NBA a few years ago – as the Euroleague TV announcer calls it – unsuccessful.
Overall Prokom has a good group of players that will play mainly American basketball, since this is all they have to offer – run and gun with many three pointer – even Pat Burke made a three in the game against Montepaschi Siena.
In a group where Barcelona, Panthinaikos and Siena are waiting, it will be hard to steal a win against one of the big guys. Prokom will have to win both games against Zalgiris and even try to get the first home win next week agains Rod Benson and SLUC Nancy.
Final Four participants: FC Barcelona, CSKA Moscow, Panathinaikos, Siena
Final Four winner: FC Barcelona
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