TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
Underdog ULM rolls to Michelin Cup Title!!
Underdog ratiopharm Ulm captured the Michelin Cup championship with a 68-61 title game victory Sunday afternoon over host BG Karlsruhe completing a surprising run through an outstanding international tournament field at Europahalle in Karlsruhe Germany. Tournament MVP Maksym Shtein posted his third straight double double to key Ulm's third consecutive upset win as excellent team defense and teamwork characterized Ulm's play over the weekend which included a 90-67 upset over KK Zagreb from Croatia, an 89-79 surprise win over Bundesliga playoff team Ludwigsburg and the 68-61 victory over Karlsruhe Sunday in the title game.
Click here for photos from Michelin Cup
Game Summaries
SUMMARIES FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23rd, 2005
2pm
90 67
ratiopharm Ulm turned a 28-18 deficit around with a 35-7 second quarter explosion keyed by outstanding team defense and balanced scoring to surprise KK Zagreb 90-67 tipping off the weekend's Michelin Cup International Basketball Tournament in Europahalle in Karlsruhe, Germany. Taking a commanding 53-35 lead into the halftime lockerroom, ratiopharm Ulm never looked back and finished the game strong to advance in the winners bracket. Shooting guard Jonathan Levy topscored with 20pts nailing 8 for 11 from the floor while adding 5 boards and 4 assists to his team. Jeff Gibbs went to work for a strong double-double at 18pts and 13 rebounds and point guard Christian Grosse continued his excellent preseason chipping in 18pts of his own to the win. Forward Florian Mobius added 11 rebounds off the bench. Ulm defense limited Zagreb to 35% shooting and surprisingly outrebounded the giant Croatian team 53-35. Ulm recorded an impressive 25 offensive rebounds in the win.
4pm
66 46
Walter Tigers Tubingen continued their excellent preseason form with a convincing 66-46 victory over Polish power Polonia Warsaw in the second game of the Michelin Cup. Tubingen, coming off a tournament championship in last weekend's Fritz & Macziol Cup hosted by ratiopharm Ulm, powered past the Polish opponent despite missing several key players --- Igor Perovic and Ron Selleaze. Clearly affected by the long journey from Warsaw, the Polish team struggled shooting from the floor allowing Tubingen to jump out to a big halftime lead. The hot Tigers coasted to the win and advanced into the winners bracket for day 2.
6pm
94 66
Ludwigsburg routed Pro A St. Clermontois in the third game of the Michelin Cup at Europahalle in Karlsruhe. Excellent scoring balance and hot perimeter shooting sparked the strong Ludwigsburg team to a tournament opening win pushing them ahead in the winners bracket. Point guard Jerry Green (UC-Irvine) directed the attack while smooth shooting forward Brian Boddicker (Texas) drilled key three point shots breaking the game open. French forward Darrell Tucker (U San Francisco) tried to keep his team in the game but fell off pace. A Bundesliga playoff team from last season, Ludwigsburg demonstrated their strength with the convincing win.
8pm
85 60
In the evenings prime time game, host BG Karlsruhe overpowered 2.Bundesliga South foe USC Freiburg 85-60 before a enthusiastic Friday night crowd. Point guard Domonic Jones slashed to the basket with brilliant drives and athletic forward Derrick Allen finished effectively off the break and offensive boards to guide the home team to victory. Playing without Bundesliga All Star Narcisse Ewodo or key big man Jens Uwe Gordon, Karlsruhe was able to run away with the game before halftime extending the lead on the hardworking Freiburg guests. A young and aggressive team, USC Freiburg was led by shooting wing Peter Holubek and new point guard Babes Douloudis. The game marked the return of former Karlsruhe coach Dr Ivan Vojtko back to Europahalle where he coached Karlsruhe to the "aufsteig". Karlsruhe head coach Uwe Sauer could enjoy the nice win advancing his team into the winners bracket for a great preseason matchup with rival Tubingen.
SUMMARIES SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 24th, 2005
2pm
85 70
Polonia Warsaw American players Brandun Hughes and Eric Taylor propelled the Polish team to a hardfought 85-70 win over USC Freiburg tipping off day two of the Michelin Cup international basketball tournament at Europahalle in Karlsruhe Germany. The top division Polish team edged ahead in the second half and cruised to their first win of the tournament in a better, more rested performance.
4pm
71 63
KK Zagreb bounced back from their first day upset to earn a solid 71-63 win over St Clermontois of French Pro A. Zagreb big men effectively patrolled the paint while American guard Kenny Taylor and wing Dwayne Broyles made plays on the perimeter. Zagreb head coach Davor Vuckovic also returned to Karlsruhe where he once held the head coaching job a few seasons ago. Poor shot selection and lack of team play limited the French visitors sending them to their second straight defeat and the last place game on Sunday. Zagreb manuvered into the 5th place game where they would meet Polonia Warsaw.
6pm
73 72
In the tournament's most exciting game, Bundesliga rivals Karlsruhe and Tubingen went nose to nose looking for a preseason advantage over each other. Karlsruhe wing Rouven Roussler's 10pt first quarter spurred a fast start for the home team. Point guard Domonic Jones continued the production for Karlsruhe in the second quarter with 11pts leading the hosts to a slim 38-34 halftime lead. Point guard Tim Burnette was in fine form for Tubingen who again were undermanned. A strong third quarter pushed the Tigers up by 10 before a Karlsruhe run cut into the lead. Storming back, the home court fans energized Karlsruhe to take a one point lead with only seconds remaining. After a timeout, Tubingen had one final possession in which hardworking forward Robert Wintermantel's last second attempt could not connect. The Karlsruhe crowd went crazy roaring as Uwe Sauer and his team celebrated the nice win advancing them to their tournament Championship game on Sunday. On the other bench, Tubingen head coach Pat Elzie could feel good about the effort and the two consecutive tournament titles his Tigers had won over the last two weeks of preseason.
8pm
89 79
In contrast to Friday's 8pm tipoff, Saturday night's prime time game between Bundesliga's Ludwigsburg and 2.Bundesliga South ratiopharm Ulm was played before a near empty Europahalle as nearly everyone rushed home after the Karlsruhe win to watch Dirk Nowitzki lead the German National team to a big semifinal win over Spain in the European Championships at Belgrade. The fans that did stay were treated to another upset. Up against his former team, Ulm center Maksym Shtein played an inspired game scoring a game best 26pts in leading ratiopharm Ulm to their second consecutive upset win of the tournament propelling the surprise second league team into the Michelin Cup tournament championship game Sunday afternoon. Falling behind early, Ulm seemed overmatched by Ludwigsburg before fighting back to trail by one 36-35 at the half. A 14-2 Ulm run starting the third quarter reversed momentum and gave upstart Ulm control. Experienced and talented, Ludwigsburg answered right back re-capturing the lead 57-55 with 2 minutes remaining in the third. Up to the challenge, Ulm's key bench players Jan Sprunken and Florian Mobius drilled back to back threes sending the teams to the quarter break with Ulm up ten 67-57. Power forward Jeff Gibbs poked loose two steals (including a one man press) leading to scores firing up his team. Ludwigsburg switched to zone for the fourth quarter but lost both Brian Boddicker and Emil Jazvin to foul-outs late in the fourth quarter. Excellent defense from Ulm's Emeka Erege and Jonathan Levy was a critical factor in the teams second strong performance. Aside from Shtein's 25, Jeff Gibbs added 14pts and Christian Grosse and Jonathan Levy scored 12 apiece.
SUMMARIES SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2005
7th Place Game
75 72
French Pro A team St Clermontois squeeked past USC Freiburg to win the 7th place game in the Michelin Cup international basketball tournament Sunday afternoon at Europahalle in Karlsruhe Germany. Looking to pull off an upset, Freiburg fought hard before falling down the stretch. St Clermontois finished the tournament Michelin Cup 1-2 and must get themselves together to compete in the extremely competitive top league in France.
5th Place Game
86 77
In a competitive game, Polonia Warsaw outlasted KK Zagreb in a unique meeting of international teams. Polonia Warsaw, from Poland's top division, grew stronger as the tournament went on after struggling through their initial loss to Tubingen. Polonia finished the Michelin Cup 2-1 and can take momentum from their final two games in Karlsruhe. Meanwhile, KK Zagreb completed the Cup at 1-2 after falling short Sunday afternoon.
3rd Place Game
82 72
A Bundesliga rivalry renewed as Ludwigsburg met Tubingen for 3rd place in the Michelin Cup Sunday afternoon. Behind Tim Burnette and Bingo Merriex, the Tigers jumped out to an early 29-17 lead over Ludwigsburg after one quarter. Behind guards Jerry Green and Justin Love, Ludwigsburg bursted to a 20-9 second quarter run regaining the lead. Center Emil Jazvin powered plays in the paint for 18pts and 18reb and Silvano Poropat's team rebounded from Saturday night's disappointment in fine form to beat Tubingen 82-72 and earn 3rd place in the Michelin Cup. Ludwigsburg finished 2-1 while Tubingen fell to 1-2.
MICHELIN CUP CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
68 61
ratiopharm Ulm capped a sensational preseason with strong team win upsetting tournament host BG Karlsruhe 68-61 to capture the Michelin Cup championship Sunday afternoon at Europahalle in Karlsruhe Germany. Playing through a back and forth early action, Ulm held a slim 18-14 lead after one quarter. Controlling tempo and defending well, Ulm began to build a lead bursting to a 22-10 second quarter. Big baskets from Maksym Shtein, Emeka Erege and a pair of Christian Grosse layups powered the push. Up 16 at the half, Ulm held a 40-24 advantage positioning themselves for the big win. Early in the second half, Karlsruhe power forward Derrick Allen picked up his fourth personal foul and was immediately hit with a technical for complaining about the call. Lost for the game, Allen was soon joined on the bench by scoring wing Rouven Roussler who also fouled out early. Ulm maintained their distance at 56-42 after three. Without Allen, Roussler and leading scorer Narcisse Ewodo (DNP due to illness), Karlsruhe head coach Uwe Sauer turned to a smaller lineup in the second half to cut into the lead. A strong Karlsruhe attack mounted the comeback. Chuck Evans buried two big threes late in the game slicing the deficit to three points and a one possession game. Ulm executed well in down the stretch getting big baskets from Shtein, Erege and Gibbs to preserve the cinderalla preseason victory. Maksym Shtein and Emeka Erege led Ulm scoring with 16 points apiece and Christian Grosse added 14 in the Championship win. Shtein posted his third double double of the tournament with 16pts and a game best 12reb while Jeff Gibbs grabbed a strong 11 boards of his own. Ulm won with their defense and by effectively executing their game plan. Maksym Shtein was named tournament MVP and awarded a trophy from Karlsruhe Mayor Manfred Groh in post game ceremonies. The Michelin Cup tournament title caps off an outstanding preseason for ratiopharm Ulm who finished their challenging preseason schedule at 9-1 including a 3-1 record over Bundesliga teams, 2 wins over ULEB Cup opponents and a win over an Adriatic League team.
TAYLORHOOPS MICHELIN CUP TOURNAMENT HONORS
MVP
MAKSYM SHTEIN ratiopharm Ulm
All Tournament Team
Maksym Shtein, ratiopharm Ulm
Domonic Jones, BG Karlsruhe
Emil Jazvin, ENBW Ludwigsburg
Tim Burnette, Walter Tigers Tubingen
Eric Taylor, Polonia Warsaw
Nikola Garma, KK Zagreb
Darrell Tucker, St Clermontois
Babes Douloudis, USC Freiburg
TOURNAMENT GROUPS
Group A
Koszykarski Polonia Warschau SSA (Poland Semifinals)
BG Karlsruhe (10th place Bundesliga)
Walter Tigers Tübingen (14th place Bundesliga)
USC Freiburg (2.Bundesliga South)
Gruppe B
KK Zagreb (Croatian Semifinals)
Stade Clermontois Basket Auvergne (13th place French Pro A)
EnBW Ludwigsburg (Bundesliga 8th Place)
Ratiopharm Ulm (2. Bundesliga South)
RESULTS
Friday September 23rd, 2005
Game 1 2pm ratiopharm Ulm 90 KK Zagreb 67
Game 2 4pm Tübingen 66 Polonia Warsaw 46
Game 3 6pm Ludwigsburg 94 St Clermontois 66
Game 4 8pm Karlsruhe 85 USC Freiburg 60
Saturday September 24th, 2005
Game 5 2pm Polonia Warsaw 85 USC Freiburg 70
Game 6 4pm KK Zagreb 71 St Clermontois 63
Game 7 6pm Karlsruhe 73 Tubingen 72
Game 8 8pm ratiopharm Ulm 89 Ludwigsburg 79
Sunday September 25th, 2005
Game 9 10am 7th Place Game
St Clermontois 75 USC Freiburg 72
Game 10 12noon 5th Place Game
Polonia Warsaw 86 KK Zagreb 77
Game 11 2pm 3rd Place Game
Ludwigsburg 82 Tubingen 72
Game 12 4pm MICHELIN CUP FINAL
ratiopharm Ulm 68 Karlsruhe 61
Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
