Real Madrid

A classic Euroleague showdown is set to take place in the Spanish capital on Thursday when Real Madrid welcomes Armani Jeans Milano in Group D. These two teams have not faced each other in Europe's top competition in more than two decades. Their last Euroleague showdown took place in 1987, the year in which Milano lifted the first of two consecutive titles. Real Madrid has taken all the major games against Milano, including in the 1964 Euroleague semifinals, the 1984 Saporta Cup final and in the 1967 Euroleague final. Real downed Simmenthal Milano 91-83 in Madrid on April 1, 1967, to win its third Euroleague title behind 29 points from Emiliano Rodriguez and 23 from Miles Aiken. More than four decades have gone by, but the memories stays intact.

This season, Madrid has registered consecutive losses, while AJ Milano looks for its first 2008-09 Euroleague win. Madrid relies on its powerful frontcourt to dominate the game. Felipe Reyes is at right at the prime of his career and Jeremiah Massey is quickly adapting to his new role, while Axel Hervelle, Lazaros Papadopoulos and a recovered Venson Hamilton are ready to contribute off the bench.

Reyes will test his rebounding skills against blue-collar forward Mason Rocca, while Papadopoulos and Massey are ready to battle against Mindaugas Katelynas and Joey Beard, since center Pape Sow is not expected to help Milano in this game due to an injury. The matchup between Mike Hall and Hervelle, however, could be the key to this game. There is some good news for AJ Milano, as Luca Vitali and Massimo Bulleri are back in action, ready to share the point guard duties with Yohann Sangare.

Madrid relies pass-first playmaker Pepe Sanchez to run the point, with lightning quick combo guard Sergio Llull ready to offer explosiveness. Of course, Milano must worry about slowing Madrid's top gun Louis Bullock. Milano, however, has two reliable shooters in Marco Mordente and Jobey Thomas ready to pull the trigger against Bullock and Llull. Madrid is deep at small forward with Quinton Hosley providing athleticism and power, while Alex Mumbru offers shooting range, experience and driving skills. Hosley will have a strong test against another force of nature, AJ Milano swingman David Hawkins. Meanwhile, Vitali may see some minutes at small forward against Mumbru due to his size and quickness.

Madrid needs to run the floor and take advantage of its athleticism in defense. Meanwhile, Milano needs to get Thomas and Hawkins involved, just as it did in the first half of last week's game against Partizan. Above all, this is a classic Euroleague showdown, so sit back and enjoy a big game.


Axel Hervelle:
"We want to maintain the image we showed in the second half against DKV Joventut, and in order to do that we are well aware that we need a big collective effort, both in offense and defense. We want to be strong at home and keep improving our game little by little, gaining confidence so we need to start strong in this game. To reach the Top 16 you have to be a strong team at home and after losing against CSKA Moscow last week we do not think about anything else than a win."