Official list of 54 teams in ULEB Cup

26-06-2007 11:49

This year edition of ULEB Cup will most likely have record breaking 54 teams. After they decided to expand the Cup, ULEB sent invitations to different teams in Europe to participate in ULEB Cup for next season 2007/08. They are still discussing the competition format but most likely it will have 9 gorups by 6 teams each.

The field of 54 teams includes representatives from 10 countries that did not play last season or have never played before in the competition. The incredible demand from leagues and clubs across Europe to be part of the ULEB Cup was not able to be met completely, not even with the inclusion of 54 teams. ULEB wishes to thank both the clubs and national leagues coming to the ULEB Cup next season, and in particular the federations who have understood the situation. ULEB also wants to apologize to the many others that showed a desire to join the competition but could not be included.
The new ULEB Cup is not only more expansive than any similar tournament before it, but also loaded with winners, past and present. There are 10 current domestic league champions among the 54 teams, including ASK Riga of Latvia, which reappears on the European scene exactly half a century after it won the continent′s very first title, at the end of the 1957-58 season. Another 10 teams of the 54 were finalists in their national competitions last season, while 19 more were semifinalists.
All told, more than two-thirds of the ULEB Cup′s participating teams for 2007-08 either won domestic leagues last season or came within a step of getting that chance. In addition to ASK Riga, there are two former European champions (Bosna of Bosnia-Herzegovina and DKV Joventut of Spain), three former ULEB Cup winners (Pamesa Valencia, Hapoel Jerusalem and Dynamo Moscow) as well as 10 other clubs that have previously raised continental trophies or reached a Euroleague Final Four. The presence of Akasvayu Girona of Spain, Azovmash Mariupol of Ukraine and Estudiantes of Spain means that all four semifinalists from the last FIBA EuroCup - including VidiVici Bologna, which goes to the Euroleague - have been included in ULEB competitions.
Draw will take place next Saturday in Jesolo, Italy with 15.00 o’clock local time start. The draw for Euroleague immediately will follow.

ULEB CUP
Season 2007/08

France
ASVEL Villeurbanne
PAU Orthez
Nancy
Strasbourg
Elan Chalon

Spain
Joventut Badalona
Pamesa Valencia
Akasvayu Girona
Gran Canaria

Russia
UNICS Kazan
Khimki Moscow
Dynamo Moscow
Dynamo Moscow Region

Greece
Panionos
Panellinios

Italy
Benneton Treviso
Climamio Bologna

Serbia
Crvena Zvezda
FMP Zeleznik
Hemofarm Vrsac

Poland
Turow Zgorzelec
Slask Wroclaw
Anwil Wloclawek

Germany
Alba Berlin
Artland Dragons
Rhein Energie Koln
Ludwisbourg
Deutche Bank Skyliners

Turkey
Turk Telekom
Besiktas Cola Turka
Galatasaray

Belgium
Telindus Oostende
Spirou Charleroi
Antwerp Giants

Israel
Hapoel Jerusalem
Hapoel Galil Elyon

Ukraine
Azovmash
BC Kiev

Latvia
ASK Ryga
BK Ventspils

Holland
Eiffel Towers
Capitals Groningen

Estonia
BC Kalev

Lithuania
Siauliai

Portugal
Ovarense Aerosoles

Bulgaria
Lukoil Academic

Croatia
KK Zadar

Montenegro
Buducnost Podgorica

Czech Republic
CEZ Nymburg

England
Glyford Heat

Austria
Allianz Swans Gmunden

Switzerland
Benetton Fribourg

Bosnia and Hercegovina
Bosna Sarajevo