Graphic: Mārtiņš Zaļūksnis
November schedule starts with four matches in two days. Tuesday, November 7 offer two games in Estonia and Latvia – Tartu Ülikool Maks&Moorits will host Spartak Pleven, while Valmiera Glass/Vidzemes Augstskola are facing the Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles.
Tartu Ülikool Maks&Moorits vs Spartak Pleven
Series history: Tartu Ülikool Maks&Moorits and Spartak Pleven will face each other for the first time.
Key matchup: Märt Rosenthal is shining for Tartu.
A 24 years old shooting guard averages 19.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
Nikolay Stoyanov leads Spartak Pleven with 13.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
National championships: Tartu Ülikool Maks&Moorits occypy the fourth place with a 6-2 record at the Pafbet Estonia and Latvia league.
Gundars Vētra men have posted six consecutive victories over Rīgas Zeļļi, VEF Rīga, Ogre, University of Latvia, Tallinn Kalev/SNABB and Valmiera.
Fun fact: Gundars Vētra holds an NBA record in most three pointers made – without a miss (3/3).
One more fun fact: Sting will perform at the Tartu Song Festival grounds on June 10, 2024.
Spartak Pleven improved to 3-2 in the Bulgarian top flight.
Pleven trail to Chernomorets Burgas, Balkan Botevgrad and two teams from capital Sofia – CSKA and Levski.
Know your referees
Crew chief: Mihkel Manniste (Estonia) – FIBA referee from 2017, Basketball Champions league referee from 2020, has worked at the EuroBasket 2022.
Umpire 1: Serafim Petrov (Bulgaria) – Bulgaria top league from 2018, FIBA referee from 2021; has worked at the 2022 FIBA U16 championship Division B final in Sofia.
Umpire 2: Ivo Kitsing (Estonia) – FIBA referee from 2023, has debuted at the Estonian league final on May 24, 2018.
Observer: Oskars Lucis (Latvia).
ENBL access: follow the game on YouTube live stream
Valmiera Glass ViA vs Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles
Series history: Valmiera Glass ViA and Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles will face each other for the first time.
Key matchup: Guntis Sīpoliņš leads Valmiera in minutes played (34:14) and will celebrate his 30th birthday on November 10.
Experienced power forward averages 12.3 points and 9.3 rebounds.
Tajh Green (Benedict College) is a top rebounder for the Newcastle Eagles with 7.9 boards per game.
Forward averages 12.2 points in 26.2 minutes of play.
National championships: Valmiera Glass ViA is 2-7 at the Pafbet Estonia and Latvia league.
Oskars Virsis men have lost last four games against Kalev/Cramo, a 10x time Latvian champion Ventspils, Ogre and Tartu.
Ogre (team Shrek, anyone?) recently posted one of the most memorable wins, defeating Eurocup team Prometey on the road.
Newcastle Eagles are 3-7 at the British Basketball league.
Marc Steutel`s men posted their first European win on October 31, defeating Basket Brno at the Vertu Motors arena.
They suffered a 88-111 defeat at the hands of Leicester Riders four days later.
Know your referees
Crew chief: Oskars Lucis (Latvia) – FIBA referee from 2003, Euroleague referee 2007-2016.
Umpire 1: David Griffin (United Kingdom) – a British Basketball league referee from 2019.
Umpire 2: Elvis Binders-Čoders (Latvia) – FIBA referee from 2021, referee at the Pafbet Estonia and Latvia league.
Observer: Mareks Voļskis (Latvia).
ENBL access: follow the game on YouTube live stream https://www.youtube.com/@ENBLeague/streams