Real Madrid

Real Madrid, the winningest team in European club basketball history, makes its debut in the 2008-09 Euroleague season by hosting difficult Panionios On Telecoms in the Spanish capital on Thursday at 20:45 CET.

Both teams are facing injury problems at point guard, as Real Madrid starting playmaker Raul Lopez is very questionable for this week's game while Ivan Zoroski stayed in Greece. As such, Aaron Miles is set to see extended playing time on court in his Euroleague return after one-year absence. Ioannis Kalampokis is set to have him in the point guard duties. Meanwhile, Pepe Sanchez and up-and-coming combo guard Sergio Llull will share the playmaker duties for Madrid if Lopez does not step on court. Madrid is also having other injury problems in other positions, as small forward Marko Tomas is out for two weeks.

 With Tomas sidelined, scoring ace Louis Bullock is set to play an even bigger role in the game against Panionios, with Alex Mumbru see more time at small forward. Madrid also counts on Quinton Hosley, a force of nature, to play solid minutes at either forward spot. Kalampokis is set to test his defensive skills against Bullock, while Panionios will try to get Branko Cvetkovic involved. Panionios has a nice battery of big men to use against Madrid and its star forward, Felipe Reyes, who has been unstoppable in the Spanish League so far. Goran Nikolic and Miroslav Raicevic will see most minutes at power forward, offering deep range and experience. Veteran center Giannis Giannoulis and solid big man Lonny Baxter will make sure that Panionios can face Reyes and Lazaros Papadopoulos in the low post.

Perhaps the biggest mismatch in this game may be Axel Hervelle, who can give Panionios trouble due his athleticism and quickness. Raicevic may become the right man to stop him due to his power and experience. Madrid also counts on power forward Jeremiah Massey, who teamed up inside with Giannoulis when he made his Euroleague debut with Aris two years ago. Even when Venson Hamilton is already healthy, coach Joan Plaza does not play to make him play big minute after several months sidelined.

If Madrid runs the floor and gets its frontcourt involved, Panionios will be in trouble. The guests need to slow down the game tempo and get Baxter involved in the low post, so Miles will be the key player for that. Expect an interesting battle, as Panionios head coach Aleksandar Trifunovic lost a ULEB Cup final against Madrid in 2006 and will be looking for revenge.