Credit: Start Lublin
It`s five weeks until Christmas. Tuesday, November 21, offers one of the biggest matches so far as the Polish Basketball league vice leader Polski Cukier Start Lublin will host the Bristol Flyers. Valmiera Glass ViA will meet Keila Coolbet.
Polski Cukier Start Lublin vs Bristol Flyers
Series history: Polski Cukier Start Lublin and Bristol Flyers will face each other for the first time.
Key matchup: Jabril Durham is experienced ball handler and he averages 8.0 assists for Polski Cukier Start Lublin.
A former Arkansas Razorback is first in efficiency (21.0) and second in scoring (16.1).
Tevin Olison averages 16.0 points and 3.5 assists for the Bristol Flyers.
Youngstown State guard hasn`t missed a game.
His ball handling skills have improved considerably as he averaged 1.3 assists in his last year with the Penguins and 1.9 assists in his first season with the Flyers.
National championships: Polski Cukier Start Lublin has a 7-2 record at the PLK, including a perfect 5-0 at the Hala Globus.
Artur Gronek`s men defeated Arka Gdynia, 98-88, on Thursday, November 16.
Their single loss at home was registered on October 4, when they dropped a home opener against Uniclub Casino Juventus Utena, 73-103.
Utena team also took the Flyers scalp, 75-76, on Tuesday, October 31, ending Bristol`s winning streak.
Andreas Kapoulas was named the BBL Coach of the month in October.
The Flyers haven`t won from the Bonfire night – November 5 – when they defeated Caledonia Gladiators, 94-77.
Bristol played back-to-back games on November 17-18, dropping a home game against the Manchester Giants, 68-74, and a road affair at the Surrey Scorchers, 73-82.
The Flyers are 8-7 after three consecutive losses and aim to return on winning track.
Know your referees
Crew chief: Michal Sosin (Poland) – FIBA referee from 2019, PLK referee from 2014.
Umpire 1: Jānis Rozenbergs (Latvia) – FIBA referee from 2023, Latvian top division from 2019.
Umpire 2: Mariusz Nawrocki (Poland) – PLK referee from 2012, has worked at the 2017 European Women`s Basketball league Final Four.
Observer: Oskars Lucis (Latvia).
ENBL access: follow the game on YouTube live stream
Valmiera Glass ViA vs Keila Coolbet
Series history: Valmiera Glass ViA and Keila Coolbet will face each other for the fourth time while the first time in the ENBL. Keila lead series 3-0.
Key matchup: Sean Seneca Knight shines in Valmiera`s offense, averaging 17.1 points per game.
Illinois State guard is first in steals per game (1.6) and second in efficiency (16.5).
Kevin Anthony Johnson leads Keila Coolbet in scoring (17.2 points) and efficiency (18.4).
University of Illinois at Chicago point guard averages 3.3 steals per game.
National championships: Valmiera Glass ViA hasn`t won since October 14, when it took the road game at Parnu Sadam, 70-68.
An eight game losing streak includes a 80-90 loss at home against Keila Coolbet on November 10.
Valmiera posted its single home win on October 6, edging out Rapla, 77-75.
Keila Coolbet has a 5-6 record at the Pafbet Estonia and Latvia league,
Peep Pahv`s men ended Tartu University`s eight win streak on November 15, posting a 80-73 victory at home.
Keila suffered a 93-103 loss against a 10 time Latvian champion Ventspils on November 19.
Know your referees
Crew chief: Anna Belousova (Latvia) – FIBA referee from 2021, Latvia top leagues from 2017.
Umpire 1: Rainis Vārv (Estonia) – FIBA referee from 2023, Pafbet Estonia and Latvia league referee from 2017.
Umpire 2: Juris Brūveris (Latvia) – one of the most experienced referees in Latvia, has worked at the 2021 EWBL final.
Observer: Mareks Voļskis (Latvia).
ENBL access: follow the game on YouTube live stream https://www.youtube.com/@ENBLeague/streams