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Writer's pictureMāris Noviks

Triple Tuesday: home openers for Dinamo Bucharest, Keila Coolbet and Basket Brno




Third week of the month features five games. Let`s focus on Tuesday, October 15 as three more teams open action in Group B. Dinamo Bucharest will meet the 2024 Polish Cup winners Legia Warszawa (this game was initially scheduled on October 17). Keila Coolbet is set to face the 2024 ENBL champions Bakken Bears, while Basket Brno will host Inter Bratislava.



Basket Brno vs Inter Bratislava


Series history: Basket Brno will face Inter Bratislava for the first time in the ENBL action.


In fact, it`s almost like a local derby as Brno is located 130 kilometres north of Bratislava.


Tipoff at 19.00 CET.


Key matchup: Viktor Pulpan averages 9.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists for Basket Brno.


A Hradec Kralove born point guard shoots 58.8% from the field.


Isaiah Cousins has contributed with 15.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists for Inter Bratislava.


A Mount Vernon, New York born guard graduated The University of Oklahoma in 2016 and was selected by the Sacramento Kings in the 2016 NBA draft.


National championships: Basket Brno are 4-2 in the NBL Kooperativa.


Martin Vanek and his men opened season with a 74-95 loss at Sršni Photomate Pisek on September 22.


Four wins followed, including home wins against Slavia Praha, 67-63, and Pardubice, 89-82.


Two days ago Brno fell at Nymburk, 82-102.


Inter Bratislava are 5-2 in the Slovak league, just behind Banik Handlova.


Croatian coach Aramis Naglič posted five wins in the first six games.


Flawless home record was shattered on October 12, when Inter suffered a 61-64 defeat at the hands of Banik Handlova.



Know your referees

Crew chief: Marek Vošahlik (Czechia) – a referee from 2010, NBL referee from 2018.


Umpire 1: Martin Margala (Slovakia) – Slovakia Top league from 2004, has worked at many playoffs games in the Central European Women`s league and Alpe Adria Cup.


Umpire 2: Stepan Pokorny (Czechia) – NBL referee from 2015; has worked at numerous Czech finals; ENBL referee from season 2022-2023.


Observer (on the spot): Mareks Voļskis (Latvia).


ENBL access: follow the game on YouTube




Keila Coolbet vs Bakken Bears


Series history: Keila Coolbet will face Bakken Bears for the first time.


Keila Coolbet posted two away wins at Valmiera and Brno in their debut season.


They are looking for their first home win.


This is second trip to Estonia for Bakken Bears in 2024 – they prevailed at Tartu on January 3.


Tipoff at 18.00 CET.


Key matchup: Kristen Kasemets was the go-to man for Keila in the first two games.


Shooting guard has averaged 17.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists.


Urald King averages 17.2 points and 7.4 rebounds for Bakken Bears.


A former Southeastern Oklahoma State University star shoots 67.4% from the field, including 63.6% from the three point line.


National championships: Keila Coolbet are 0-2 at the Optibet Estonia and Latvia league.


Peep Pahv and his men were defeated at TalTech/ALEXELA, 82-86, on October 9.


Three days later they traveled to Latvia and fought hard against Rīgas Zeļļi, 80-87.


Bakken Bears are 4-1 in the Danish championship.


Anders Sommer and his men have won four consecutive games, including a 93-81 win at Randers on October 8.


Know your referees

Crew chief: Ranno Konks (Estonia) – a referee from 2009, has worked at the Estonia-Latvia league from 2018, has worked at the Estonian playoffs.


Umpire 1: Christian Hansen (Denmark) – FIBA referee from 2021, Denmark Basketball highest leagues from 2015.


Umpire 2: Egert Tiidor (Estonia) – a referee from 2015; Estonia and Latvia league referee from 2020 by being 21 years old then; has worked at the Estonian playoffs.


Observer: Oskars Lucis (Latvia).


ENBL access: follow the game on YouTube





Dinamo Bucharest vs Legia Warszawa


Series history: Dinamo Bucharest will face Legia Warszawa for the first time.


It`s a home opener for the Romanian team and the first ENBL road game for Legia.


Last week CSO Voluntari defeated Dziki Warszawa in the Romanian capital.


Tipoff at 18.00 CET.


Key matchup: Vuk Vulikič leads Dinamo Bucharest with 14.5 points and 6.8 assists per game.


Serbian guard graduated University of California at San Diego in 2023.


Andrzej Pluta averages 14.0 points and 6.0 assists for Legia Warszawa.


He went 4/7 from the three point line in his first two games, including 3/4 effort at Lublin.


National championships: sixteen teams play in the Liga Nationala.


Dinamo Bucharest have a 2-2 record.


Dragan Nikolič and his men have won both home games against Targu Mures, 87-84, and Galati, 103-88.


They were defeated at Timisoara, 70-84, on October 11.


Legia Warszawa are 1-1 in the PLK.


Ivica Skelin and his men lost to Dabrowa Gornicza, 68-77, on October 6.


Five days later they won their first road game at Start Lublin, 89-78.



Know your referees

Crew chief: Laurentiu Grigoras (Romania) – Liga Nationala referee from 1999, FIBA referee 2003-2018.


Umpire 1: Michal Chrakowiecki (Poland) – FIBA referee from 2019, PLK referee from 2012, has worked at many play-off games.


Umpire 2: Lorand Bukaresti (Romania) – Liga Nationala referee from 2020; has participated at the 2023 FIBA clinic in Kortrijk, upcoming FIBA referee.


Observer: Oskars Lucis (Latvia).



ENBL access: follow the game on YouTube




STANDINGS, as of October 14, 2024

Group A

Valmiera Glass ViA 3-0, +42

CSO Voluntari 1-0, +20

BK Opava 1-0, +15

Dziki Warszawa 1-1, -4

Spišski Rytieri 1-1, -20

Donar Groningen 0-2, -19

Spartak Pleven 0-2, -30

Tartu Ulikool 0-1, -4

Newcastle Eagles


Group B

Legia Warszawa 1-0, +30

Bamberg Baskets 1-0, +15

Bakken Bears 1-0, +11

Bristol Flyers 0-1, -11

Dinamo Bucharest 0-1, -15

Fyllingen Lions 0-1, -30

Basket Brno

Inter Bratislava

Keila Coolbet

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