Pech...

Nie mogę tego inaczej nazwać. Wczorajszy kupon po raz kolejny okazał się przegrany... 13 spotkań, z których nie wszedł zaledwie (!) jeden. Rezai, dziękuję... Za walkę, za przywrócenie wiary po wygraniu kilku gemów pod rząd przy stanie 5-2 dla rywalki w 2 secie. Trudno. Może dziś?

BAGHDATIS-HEWITT
Marcos Baghdatis had quite a scare in his match against Marat Safin, but in the end the Cypiot defeated the multi Grand Slam champion. Baghdatis loves to play on this tournament and he has reached the final in here in 2006. The hundreds of Greek immigrants in Australia support him like no other crowd in the other and he is really playing well right now. His serve is working, his backhand and even his inconsistent forehand. He had two very tough matches against two former Grand Slam winners (Thomas Johansson; Marat Safin) in the first two rounds of this tournament, so he will be adapted to play against a good player and he won't need to step it up today. The same doesn't happen with Lleyton Hewitt. He had two very easy first rounds against Steve Darcis and Denis Istomin, in matches where Hewitt won without having to play well, especially against Istomin. Hewitt is having a weak 2008 until now, with crushing defeats at the hands of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Chris Guccione. He is far from the level that took him to the first position in the rankings and he was never impressive on the Australian Open during his career. For example he hasn't reached fourth round in here since 2005, something that doesn't happen in the other three Grand Slams where the last time he hasn't reached fourth round in them was at Wimbledon'03. Pressure from playing at home? Baghdatis is playing way better than Hewitt this week and I don't see the Australian player being able to step it up today and play his A game. The Cypriot has destroyed Hewitt at Wimbledon in 2006 and he should be able to do it again, as the slow surface helps him more than Hewitt. Take Baghdatis minus the games in here.

WOZNIACKI-LISIAK
The difference between these two players is huge. Wozniacki comes from beating Alona Bondarenko in straight sets, showing some maturity, as she was a break down in the first set and she was still able to recover and win the match in just two sets. This is her first Grand Slam 3rd round match for her, but her opponent is at the same situation as the Danish player. Wozniacki had a terrible draw, as she had to face two Top 40 players in the first two rounds (Dulko, Alona), but she has proved once again that she is extremely talented by being capable of handle such hard task. She hits very hard from the baseline and she has way more experience than her experience at WTA level than her today's opponent. Sabine Lisicki has basically no experience at this level and after taking advantage the fact that Safina destroyed herself in the first round, she defeated Mariya Koryttseva in the second round, another player who lacks experience and talent to play at this level. Lisicki has no weapons to hurt such talented player as Wozniacki and she could only win this match thanks to a huge amount of errors by Wozniacki, something hugely unlikely, as the Danish player is in great shape. Wozniacki is clearly the better player of the two and Lisicki doesn't have the talent and the experience to create problems to her. Take the Danish player to win in straight sets in here.

Smiechu warte?

Kolejny, tym razem nieco dłuższy kupon na dziś. Może wreszcie teraz?! 30-40 % szans! Kilka analiz do postawionych spotkań poniżej.

DEMENTIEVA-PEER
Probably the big news for Dementieva is that she didn't hit a single double fault in her second round match against Anabel Medina Garrigues. The Russian player still dropped the first set, but she was facing someone who is tricky to play and is a Top 35 player. A third round match in a Grand Slam is something natural for Dementieva, who is one of the best players in the WTA circuit for almost 8 years. She is capable of hitting very hard from the baseline and she is also known for being a warrior and being capable of recovering from unbelievable situations. This kind of surface suits her game, as it gives her time to prepare her powerful strokes. She didn't have a nice beginning of 2007, but she improved a lot at the end of last year and she was capable of winning a Tier I (Moscow) by destroying Serena Williams in the final. She is 5-2 ATS against players between the places 10 and 19 in the rankings in the last twelve months. Shahar Peer is far from the level she has presented at last year's Australian Open. The fighting spirit is still there and that was the main reason why she was capable of defeating Dinara Safina at the Gold Coast for example, but her game is being too erratic for a player who has in her consistency as her major weapon on the court. The fact that she was already destroyed by Viktoria Azarenka (a player who is capable of hitting consistent powerful strokes from the baseline like Dementieva) by 6:4 6:2 this season shows that her amazing defensive game isn't enough to counter the powerful game of some of her opponents. She may return a lot of balls, but if she can't counter and her opponents don't commit unforced errors, it comes to a point where Peer won't be able to return the ball anymore. Dementieva is the most experienced player of the two and the new surfaces suits her more than the Israeli player. Peer struggles against powerful and consistent baseline hitters (0-2 vs Dementieva, 0-1 vs Azarenka, 0-3 vs Serena, 0-2 vs Hantuchova - in matches outside clay) and it shouldn't be different time this time. Take Dementieva minus the games in here.

MATHIEU-KOUBEK
If there is something, Paul-Henri Mathieu can do on a court is return serve. He is winning more than 40% of the points played on his opponent's service games, something remarkable as we are talking about matches played on hardcourt. The French player is always dangerous to face on a fast surface, as he can hit very well from both wings and he is always capable of hitting a winner from any place of the court. Mathieu has only been broken twice this week (once in each match he has already played in here) and his service stats have been pretty consistent. That's pretty good for him, as there is always a chance of him breaking his opponent's serve everytime it's his time to return. The French player is 5-1 ATS (last 6) vs left handed players outside clay. He is also 4-1 ATS (last 5) on Grand Slam third rounds. Stefan Koubek has defeated two players with a better ranking than already him this week, but getting a third one today seems hugely unlikely. Carlos Moya has always been a great matchup for him and Agustin Calleri can always screw himself everytime he is in a position to win a set in an important match. The Austrian player hasn't been impressive on his serve and that's bad news for him, when he will face one of the best returners in the world. His serve is attackable and his great defensive game won't help him a lot against such consistent player from the baseline as Mathieu. Paul-Henri Mathieu is clearly the better player of the two on hardcourt and he is also the one who has been more impressive this week. He should be also the player of the two will less problems in holding serve, in a game that may be close from having more than ten breaks. Take Mathieu in here minus the games.

YOUZHNY-KARLOVIC
Mikhail Youzhny is having a great beginning of this season, as he is 7-0 SU and 5-2 ATS in 2008. Youzhny is a typical bad matchup for big servers, especially in a relative slow surface as this one. Youzhny is capable of hitting very well from both wings and he is also a good servers, especially against weak returners as big serves use to be. Youzhny is the typical player who is pretty hard to stop, when he has the momentum on his side and it should be no exception in this tournament. Ivo Karlovic is clearly struggling this week, even though he has reached a Grand Slam third round for the first time in years. The reason? The lack of aces. He has hit 34 aces in two matches until now (8 sets played). This is good, but not for his standards. At last season's US Open, he had 38 in one match (5 sets), in Wimbledon in 1 match he had 31 aces (5 sets) and even at Roland Garros he hit 52 aces in 2 matches (9 sets). That's weak if we compare to his normal numbers. The reason for this? According to him, the surface is too slow and he is struggling with the heat and humidity that Australian always offers at this time of the season. The fact that this game will be played at the hours where the temperatures reach their highest point won't help him neither. Youzhny is clearly the player who has been more impressive and with Karlovic lacking aces, he is going to have a great shot to break his serve. Also Karlovic is on a 5 tie-break losing streak, something that makes Youzhny also a favorite if a tie-break is played today. Youzhny should win this match and cover this small handicap. Take Youzhny minus the games in here. DOUBLE DIME PLAY.

TSONGA-GARCIA-LOPEZ
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is playing extremely well this week and it looks like he has no problems in handling the pressure everytime he is the favorite to win a match on a Grand Slam. He is 5-0 SU, 5-0 ATS and won all 5 matches 3-0 in sets, everytime he is a favorite in a Grand Slam match. That's remarkable. Tsonga is serving well and he must be quite confident after taking out Andy Murray in the first round and being capable of defeating Sam Warburg without dropping a set. He is putting an average of 60% first serves in and winning an average of 76% of these points, something that will turn him quite hard to break on this match, especially at this stats include a match against the best returner of fast surfaces in the world, Andy Murray. His powerful baseline game will leave Garcia-Lopez without any chance in being aggressive in this match, something that he won't like, as he will never be able to get his normal rhythm during the game. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez will play his first ever third round match on a Grand Slam, but he had to work a lot to reach this stage of the competition. The Spanish player had two very hard matches against Juan Ignacio Chela and Alejandro Falla, baseline contests where he had to run a lot and he should feel already a little bit tired, thanks to his good effort this week. The main problem with Garcia-Lopez is being his serve and he was already broken 11 times this week, unlike Tsonga who was only broken by 6 times and 5 of them were against Andy Murray, who is a world class returner. The Spanish player is 4-18 SU vs good servers outside clay, which doesn't surprise me, as this type of players is a bad matchup for him, as he struggles to break serve against such good servers and his service games are always in jeopardy, as he is far from being a good server. Garcia-Lopez will win less than 50% of the points played on his 2nd serve, while that won't happen with Tsonga, who has a good second serve. Also Garcia-Lopez will mostly have a worse 1st serves in percentage than Tsonga and he will need to use his 2nd serve more than the French player. Tsonga has a more powerful game than Garcia-Lopez and he is also the better player on this surface. If a tie-break is played, Tsonga will be the clear favorite to win, as he is 8-1 on tie-breaks played on hardcourt in the last twelve months. Garcia-Lopez may be a tough opponent in the beginning of the match, but if Tsonga is capable of winning the first set (most likely by a break of difference or in a tie-break), then the resistance of the Spanish player will diminish. Take the French player to win in straight sets in here.

CANADIENS-TRASHERS
Though not normally considered a defensive team, Atlanta is playing much better defense of late. Take the Under tonight when the Thrashers host the Montreal Canadiens.

Led by sniper Ilya Kovalchuk, the Thrashers aren't normally thought of as a "defensive" team. However, they've actually been playing rather well at that end of the ice recently. In fact, despite slipping above the number on Tuesday, Atlanta has seen the Under go 3-1 their last four games.

The Montreal Canadiens saw their streak of high-scoring games come to an end when they managed only one goal en route to a 4-1 loss at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. The Canadiens' power play, which had been clicking, produced just one goal on eight opportunities. That goal came in the third period with the Rangers leading 4-0.

Note that Montreal also came up empty on two 5-on-3 advantages totaling 2:44 in time. The Canadiens followed that up by combining with the Islanders for just four goals on Tuesday.

Looking at the series history, we find that both of this season's meeting produced five combined goals. Looking back further and we find the Under at an impressive 10-1-1 the last dozen times that these teams faced each other. Consider a play on the Under.

Impossible is nothing!

Jestem świeżo po transmisji meczu siatkówki pomiędzy Holandią a Turcją. Jestem w szoku. Gigantycznym. Sam chciałem zagrać typ Poniżej 160.5 punktów za naprawdę duże pieniądze, ale (dziękuje!) na szczęście, nie zdążyłem, z powodu studiów. MASAKRA! W pierwszym secie Turczynki zagrały jak licealistki na WFie. Potem role się odwróciły. I Holenderki zagrały jak... gimnazjalistki, na dodatek z bólem brzucha i bez jednej ręki. Impossible is nothing! Dziś, niestety (znowu) z braku czasu, podaję tylko przygotowany od wczoraj kupon, który wydaje mi się po prostu świetną propozycją na dziś dzień. Statycznie wygląda bombowo! Chociaż, Holandia również tak wyglądała... Oby już bez niespodzianek/sensacji!

6 pts Jedenastak @ 27.30 (Unibet)
Jużny, M - Karlovic, I -- 1 @ 1.46
Azarenka, V - Williams, Serena -- Over 19 Games @ 1.8
Henin, J - Schiavone, F -- 1 @ 1.03
Vesnina, E - Sharapova, M -- 2 @ 1.02
Słowenia - Czechy -- Under 62.5 @ 1.65
Real Madryt - Winterthur F.C. Barcelona -- 1 @ 1.35
Cibona Vip Zagrzeb - Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv (Liczba zbiórek) -- Cibona +5.5 @ 1.85
Panathinaikos - Roanne (Liczba zbiórek) -- Under 65.5 @ 1.85
LaFortezza Virtus Bologna - Montepaschi Siena -- 2 @ 1.08
TAU Ceramica - Union Olimpija -- 1 @ 1.03
Hiszpania - Węgry -- 1 @ 1.1
Vaidisova, N - Sugiyama, A -- 1 @ 1.06

ULEBowa masakra zysków!

Jak już wczoraj wspomniałem, zrobiłem dogłębną analize wszystkich spotkań ULEBowych. Posłużyłem się do tego m.in. zapowiedziami na stronie oficjalnej, najciekawsze-najbardziej istotne fragmenty wklejam poniżej. Do tego oczywiście mój typ. Wygląda bosko!

PGE Turów Zgorzelec - Unics Kazan
PGE Turow Zgorzelec has already clinched first place in Group I and mainly hopes to avoid any serious injuries as it hosts Unics Kazan. Head coach Saso Filipovski's Turow used a big fourth quarter to come back and beat Strasbourg on the road to improve to 7-1 - with a three-game lead on three teams. The Polish side survived getting out-shot 40%-44% and committing 18 turnovers as Strasbourg turned the ball over 20 times.
Unics Kazan meanwhile still has plenty to play for as it's fighting for a spot in the elimination rounds. Head coach Aco Petrovic's Kazan thrashed Hapoel Jerusalem at home to improve to 4-4 with its third victory in four games. The Russian side shot 55% from the floor, held Hapoel to 31% shooting, out-rebounded Jerusalem 49-25 and forced 19 turnovers.
A victory and a Jersusalem loss at Zadar would be enough for a spot in the elimination rounds already on Tuedsay night.

6 pts Kazan @ 1.6 -- PROMOCJA!

Alba Berlin - Turk Telekom
Alba Berlin can take a giant step towards reaching the elimination round with a victory at home over Turk Telekom in Group A.
Sunter's Turkish team is still in the running for the top spot in Group A and a loss would be a major blow. So expect Telekom to look to prove again it can win even without Michael Wright.

5 pts Alba @ 1.8

DKV Joventut - KK Bosna
DKV Joventut looks to rebound from its first loss and remain atop Group A as it hosts KK Bosna.
With Siauliai also at 3-5 and both teams a game behind Alba Berlin with two games to play, a victory on the road against a top Joventut is basically a must for Zdovc's team.

4 pts Bosna (+20.5) @ 1.9

Elan Chalon - BK Ventspils
Elan Chalon needs a victory to stay in the race for the elimination round as it hosts BK Ventspils in Group B.
Okorn knows the key for his team's showing against Elan will be defense. If Ventspils can match its performance from Week 4, chances are high for a win.

5 pts Under 154 @ 1.9

FMP - Köln 99ers
FMP will try its best to act as spoiler as it welcomes the Köln 99ers in a Group B encounter.
Obradovic knows that that kind of balance would go a long way to leading Köln into the elimination rounds.

Hanzevast Capitals - BC Hemofarm Stada
As many teams this time of year, Hanzevast Capitals is playing for big-game experience as it hosts BC Hemofarm Stada in Group C.
With a tough game next week at home against Galatasaray, the last thing Hemofarm wants this week is an upset on the road.

6 pts Hemofarm @ 1.2

SLUC Nancy - D. Bank Skyliners
SLUC Nancy must win at home against Deutsche Bank Skyliners if it wants to remain in the running for the elimination round from Group D.
But Skyliners can play spoiler to Nancy and finally give its fans a reason to celebrate.

6 pts Nancy @ 1.1

Asvel Basket - ASCO Slask Wroclaw
Asvel Basket can book its spot in the elimination round with a victory at home over ASCO Slask Wroclaw in Group G.
Slask's ball-handling must improve it is wants to stay in the running for the elimination round.

Pau-Orthez - ASK Riga
Pau-Orthez hopes to finally gather another victory as it hosts ASK Riga in Group H.
Riga meanwhile is still alive in the race for the elimination round - though it needs plenty of help. ASK is out if it loses this week and Artland Dragons beats Benetton Tamoil.
Riga hopes it can take advantage of Pau's turbulent season and remain alive in the race for the next round.

EiffelTowers Den Bosch - Strasbourg
EiffelTowers Den Bosch has been relegated to spoiler as it hosts Strasbourg in a battle of the bottom two teams in Group I.
Strasbourg meanwhile is still alive for a spot in the elimination rounds.
Strasbourg would lose all chances of advancing if it loses and both Unics and Zadar win on Tuesday.

Zadar - Hapoel Jerusalem
Either Zadar or Hapoel Jerusalem will have good chances of advancing to the elimination round from Group I as the two face off in Croatia.
Petrovic's team will be looking to avenge its 1-point loss at Jerusalem in Week 4, when Hapoel shot 52% and committed just 9 turnovers. But these teams have gone in different directions since that game - Zadar winning three out of its last four and Jerusalem losing three from its last four. Zadar will move into the next round with a win and a Strasbourg loss at EiffelTowes. Meanwhile head coach Dan Shamir's Jerusalem will clinch a spot in the elimination rounds with a win. However the Israeli side arrives in Croatia short-handed with only seven senior players. Hapoel is desperately missing its star power forward Jamie Arnold, who averaged nearly 20 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block in the first six games.
Shamir would like nothing more than his team to quickly forget the Kazan game and re-focus on Zadar, knowing Jerusalem still has everything to play for.

6 pts Zadar @ 1.2

Khimki - Anwil Wloclawek
Khimki can remain atop Group D with a victory at home over Anwil Wloclawek. In fact, Khimki would clinch first place if it wins and Pamesa Valencia loses at Azovmash Mariupol in another Group D clash on Tuesday.
But Pipan's team would need a miracle to advance to the next round. Its two-game winning streak seems to have come too late.

4 pts Under 160 @ 1.9

Dynamo Moscow - Panellinios GS
Dynamo Moscow could possibly clinch first place in Group F as it hosts Panellinios GS. Head coach Svetislav Pesic's Dynamo grabbed an impressive win at Red Star to improve to 6-2 - one game ahead of both Red Star and CEZ Nymburk.
After registering the big win at Red Star, the last thing Pesic wants is his team to get upset at home. Panellinios meanwhile is looking to finally win again. After winning the first week, the Greek side has lost seven straight games - the latest coming at home against CEZ Nymburk to drop to 1-7.
But it will need a full 40 minutes of top basketball to finally snap its losing streak.

6 pts Dynamo @ 1.05

Benetton Tamoil - Artland Dragons
Benetton Tamoil will try to move into the elimination rounds with a victory at home over Artland Dragons on Tuesday. Head coach Oktay Mahmuti's Benetton captured its fourth straight win by beating Lukoil Academic to improve to 5-3.
Treviso lost the first match-up in Week 4 in Germany as Artland shot 57% and won the rebound battle 33-17. But this is a different, more confident Benetton side. Artland meanwhile desperately needs a victory to stay in the running for the elimination rounds.
Since beating Treviso, head coach Chris Fleming's Dragons have lost three of four games, including a loss last week at ASK Riga, to fall to 4-4 - one game behind Benetton and Lukoil Academic.
Unless Artland can pull off a tough win on the road, it will be left thinking "what if" after starting the ULEB Cup season at 3-1.

6 pts Treviso @ 1.15
5 pts Under @ 1.9

Guildford Heat - Siauliai
Guildford Heat looks to play spoiler in Group A as it hosts Siauliai. Hed coach Paul James's Heat remained one of three teams without a victory as it lost at home against Alba Berlin to drop to 0-8. The British champs shot just 40% for the game and committed 16 turnovers and it allowed Berlin to hit 49% from the floor.
James's team has one final chance to give its home fans a ULEB Cup victory to celebrate - so look for Guildford to fight even harder. Siauliai meanwhile is still fighting for the elimination round despite losing last week at KK Bosna to drop to 3-5.
With Bosna also at 3-5 and both teams a game behind Alba Berlin with two games to play, a victory on the road against a winless Heat is basically a must for Kuncaitis's team.

...

Ovarense Aerosoles - Besiktas Cola Turka
Ovarense Aerosoles has one final chance to give its home fans a ULEB Cup victory as it hopes to upset the only remaining undefeated team Besiktas Cola Turka in Group B action. Coach Mario Leite's Ovarense dropped to 0-8 on the season by losing at Elan Chalon. The Portuguese side shot just 35% from the floor and forced just 9 Chalon turnovers in the defeat.
Leite's team has averaged a losing margin of 16 points. Aerosoles lost by 26 points at Besiktas in Week Four as it shot 39% and committed 24 turnovers. If it comes anywhere near those numbers, Ovarense will have no chance of grabbing victory number one. Besiktas meanwhile has already clinched first place in Group B.
Ataman's troops would like to remain undefeated just as much as Ovarense wants to win its first game. And unless Aerosoles play the game of its life, this one should be victory number nine for Besiktas.

Akasvayu Girona - Spirou Charleroi
Akasvayu Girona hopes to secure first place in Group C as it entertains Spirou Charleroi. Akasvayu can clinch first place if it wins and Hemofarm loses to Hanzevast Capitals.
Martinez knows that kind of production will be crucial as it hosts Spirou. In Akasvayu's Week 4 victory in Charleroi, Martinez's men committed 21 turnovers, but managed to win by 3cpoints, mainly because its defense held Spirou to just 42% shooting for the game. A similar showing should be enough at home.
Spirou Charleroi comes into the game on a high after beating Galatasaray at home to remain alive in the race for the top three with a 3-5 record. It must win its final two games and hope that Galatasaray loses both contests.
Against Galatasaray, Eddy Casteels's team shot 44% for the game while holding Galatasaray to just 34% from the floor
Spirou needs help to reach the next round, but it will have to take of its own business first - and a showdown at Girona is difficult enough.

5 pts Under @ 1.9

Galatasaray Cafe Crown - CSU Asesoft
Galatasaray Cafe Crown looks to book its spot in the elimination round as it hosts CSU Asesoft in Group C. Head coach Murat Ozyer's Galatasaray suffered a setback last week, losing at Spirou Charleroi to fall to 5-3. The Turkish side shot 34% for the game while Spirou hit 44% of its shots.
Ozyer's team will have to bounce back at home against Asesoft, but knows it will move on with a victory or a 1-point loss and a Spirou defeat. Still, Ozyer wants his men to concentrate on beating CSU. Asesoft meanwhile will be looking for revenge of its 2-point loss at home in Week 4 as Galatasaray shot 58% from the floor and committed just 8 turnovers. Head coach Mladan Jojic's Asesoft dropped to 3-5 in a home loss against Hemofarm. But the Romanian team still has chances of finishing in the top three with a victory on the road.
A victory on the road however is a must.

6 pts CSU (+14.5) @ 1.9
3 pts CSU @ 7.50

Azovmash Mariupol - Pamesa Valencia
Azovmash Mariupol can clinch a berth in the elimination round with a home victory over Pamesa Valencia in Group D. Head coach Rimas Girskis's Azovmash collected an important win at home against Nancy to improve to 5-3 - with a two-game lead over Nancy with two games left. Azovmash will also advance if Nancy loses either of its final two matches.
Head coach Fotos Katsikaris's Pamesa Valencia comes into the game looking to rebound from a road loss at Anwil Wloclawek that dropped it to 6-2 - one win behind leader Khimki. The Spanish side was out-rebounded 33-26 and forced just 8 Anwil turnovers.
A victory would guarantee that Pamesa would be playing for first place in Group D next week at home against Khimki. Katsikaris doesn't want his team to slip-up now.

Triumph Lyubertsy - Benetton Fribourg
Triumph Lyubertsy can clinch first place in Group E with a victory at home over Benetton Fribourg. Head coach Stanislav Eremin's Triumph improved to 7-1 with a hard-fought home win over Swans Gmunden. The Russian team won despite committing 17 turnovers, shooting just 6-of-25 (24%) from long range and making just 16-of-33 (48%) foul shots. But Triumph out-rebounded the Swans 37-30 and forced 18 turnovers.
Eremin's team is not just looking to clinch first place. Lyubertsy is also out for revenge for its only loss of the competition as Fribourg won at home against Eremin's men by just one point in Week Four. Lyubertsy was out-shot 47%-52% and Pascal Perrier-David knocked down a buzzer for the win. Benetton Fribourg meanwhile is looking to shake off a three-game losing streak and remain alive in the race for the elimination round. Head coach Damien Leyrolles's Fribourg lost on the road against Buducnost to drop to 3-5 - one game behind third placed Swans and even with Antwerp Giants. The Swiss champs shot just 37% and allowed Buducnost to hit 49% from the floor.
It will be a very difficult fight for Fribourg to knock off Triumph yet again.

Swans Gmunden - Antwerp Giants
Swans Gmunden will clinch a spot in the elimination rounds with a victory at home over Antwerp Giants in Group E. Head coach Bob Gonnen's Swans dropped to 4-4 despite giving Triumph Lyubertsy all it could handle.
Still, Gonnen's troops know they can book their ticket to the next round with a win at home. Antwerp Giants meanwhile must win on the road to remain alive for the elimination round. Head coach Sven Van Camp's Antwerp improved to 3-5 with a home win over Hapoel Galil Elyon. Both teams shot 47% from the field but Van Camp's Belgian side out-rebounded Galil Elyon 32-21 and forced 19 turnovers.
Giants is looking to sweep Swans after winning at home in Week Four as Antwerp forced 17 turnovers. Van Camp will need his defense to play like that again in order to remain alive.

5 pts Under @ 1.9

Hapoel Galil Elyon - KK Buducnost
Hapoel Galil Elyon is looking to snap a five-game losing streak when it hosts KK Buducnost in Group E. Coach Danny Franco's Galil Elyon fell to 1-7 after losing in the closing seconds at Antwerp Giants. Both teams shot 47% from the field but the Israeli club was out-rebounded 32-21 and Antwerp forced 19 turnovers. And Franco's team lost despite shooting 30-of-40 foul shots compared to 18-of-23 for Antwerp.
Franco's team has already been eliminated from the next round and is just hoping to get big-game experience and avoid injuries while giving its fans one last chance to celebrate a home victory. Buducnost has already booked its spot in the elimination round and still has a possibility to reach first place. Coach Dejan Radonjic's Montenegrin side improved to 6-2 - one game behind leader Triumph Lyubertsy - after a comfortable home victory over Benetton Fribourg.
Radonjic knows his team has already achieved its first goal of reaching the elimination round. But he doesn't want his players to let up now.

Telindus Oostende - CEZ Nymburk
Telindus Oostende needs a victory to remain alive for the elimination round as its hosts CEZ Nymburk in Group F. Head coach Sharon Drucker's Oostende survived a valiant comeback by Beghelli Bologna to improve to 4-4 - one game behind Red Star and Nymburk. The Belgian champs shot 51% from the floor while holding Bologna to just 42% for the game
With an elimination round spot still up for grabs, expect Drucker to have his men ready to play. CEZ Nymburk meanwhile will book its spot in the next round if it can extend its current winning streak to four games. The third straight victory forhead coach Muli Katzurin's Czech champs came at Panellinios. Nymburk shot 59% from the floor and forced 18 Panellinios turnovers in grabbing the road win.
Katzurin knows his defense spurred on the Week Four win at home. And Nymburk will have to defend well again to move into the next round.

6 pts under 156.5 @ 1.9

Beghelli Bologna - Red Star
Beghelli Bologna's chances of reaching the elimination round are very slim and a victory at home over Red Star in Group F is a must. Head coach Dragan Sakota's Bologna came up just short in a comeback attempt in losing at Telindus Oostende to drop to 3-5 - one game behind fourth-placed Oostende and two games adrift of Red Star and Nymburk. The Italian side allowed Oostende to shoot 51% from the floor while hitting just 42% for the game. Both teams committed 21 turnovers, but Bologna made just 6 of 11 (55%) free throws in the 2-point loss.
Bologna needs plenty of help to reach the next round and it will be looking for revenge of a 33-point loss at Red Star in Week 4. Bologna shot just 40% in that loss while Red Star went for 54% from the floor. Sakota's team will need to improve on its defense if it wants to even still have a chance in the final week. Red Star meanwhile can move into the next round with a victory. The club is looking to rebound after losing at home against Dynamo Moscow to drop to 5-3 - even with Nymburk one game behind Dynamo.
Red Star still has a chance to grab the top spot in Group F, but it first needs to return to its winning ways.

Panionios On Telecoms - G. Canaria Grupo Dunas
Panionios On Telecoms can clinch a spot in the elimination round and could even pull into first place in Group G with a home victory over Gran Canaria Grupo Dunas. Head coach Nenad Markovic's Panionios collected its fourth straight win by coming back to beat Asvel Basket on the road and improve to 5-3. The Greek team was out-shot 49%-53% but forced 18 Asvel turnovers in the win.
Panionios is looking for revenge after losing at Gran Canaria in Week 4. Gran Canaria out-shot Panionios 45%-43% but had a big advantage in free throws, making 22-of-27 to just 13-of-18 for Panionios. Markovic will be looking to improve on that at home. A victory and an Asvel loss will give Panionios a spot in the next round. Gran Canaria meanwhile could clinch first place in the group with a road victory. Head coach Salvador Maldonado's Grupo Dunas improved to 6-2 with a hard-fought win over Kalev/Cramo - the Spanish side's third straight victory. Gran Canaria out-shot Kalev/Cramo 48%-45% but really won the game by holding the opponent to just 5-of-24 (21%) from long range.
And Maldonado knows that with that balance, his team has a good chance of improving to 7-2.

6 pts Panionios @ 1.6

Ludwigsburg - BC Kalev/Cramo
Ludwigsburg will be looking to make it two in a row as it welcomes BC Kalev/Cramo in a Group G encounter. Head coach Silvano Poropat's Ludwigsburg finally won its first game of the ULEB Cup, beating Slask Wroclaw at home to improve to 1-7. The German team out-rebounded Slask 35-23 to survive 20 turnovers and being out-shot 45%-48%.
But it can give the home fans one more reason to celebrate before exiting the ULEB Cup. Kalev/Cramo meanwhile is not mathematically eliminated but needs plenty of help - starting with a victory on the road. Head coach Veselin Matic's Estonian team lost its fourth straight game in falling at Gran Canaria. Kalev/Cramo was out-shot 45%-48% but really lost the game by hitting just 5-of-24 (21%) from long range.
Matic's team is looking to sweep Ludwigsburg after winning by four points in Week 4 as Kalev/Cramo turned the ball over just 10 times. Matic's men will need to play controlled ball to improve to 4-5.

4 pts under @ 1.9

BC Kyiv - Lukoil Academic
BC Kyiv will remain in first place with a victory at home over Lukoil Academic in Group H. Head coach Tomo Mahoric's Kyiv improved to 6-2 and booked its spot in the elimination rounds by beating Pau-Orthez on the road. The Ukrainian side out-shot Pau 48%-42% and turned the ball over just 12 times.
Mahoric's troops will be hungry to reverse a Week 4 loss at Lukoil Academic as it turned the ball over 16 times. Lukoil Academic meanwhile will clinch a spot in the next round with a victory. Head coach Zeljko Lukajic's Academic hopes to rebound after losing at home against Benetton Tamoil to fall to 5-3 and snapping a four-game winning streak. The Bulgarian champs shot 51% from the floor and committed just 11 turnovers - only to see Treviso shoot 55% and turn the ball over only 7 times.
Playmaker Willie Deane paced Lukoil with 28 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Center Pero Antic collected 17 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists while small forward Nenad Canak (15 points) and small forward Larry O'Bannon (14 points) both scored in double figures off the bench. Lukajic will need that balanced extra production to pick up a tough road win.

5 pts Over @ 1.9

Australian Open czas zacząć!

Żałuję, że wczoraj nie mogłem nic naskrobać, bo pierwszy dzień w Australii nie przyniósł wielu niespodzianek. Największą oczywiście okazała się porażka Murraya - jednego z 3-5 głównych faworytów do zwycięstwa w turnieju według masy ekspertów, w tym pana Fibaka. Ostatnia runda eliminacji, pierwsza runda turnieju głównego okazały się bardzo zyskowne. Czemu więc dziś miałoby być inaczej? Zwłaszcza, że kolega Andre Silva nakreślił bety, które po prostu nie mogą się nie udać! A na koniec... fajny kuponik ode mnie.

Przepraszam za niewielką ilość aktualizacji w ostatnich kilkudziesięciu godzinach, ale jestem w trakcie dogłębnego analizowania jurzejszego ULEBu. Przeanalizowałem wszystkie mecze, ułożyłem stawki i linie do większości z nich, zabawiłem się we wróżkę. Kilka minut temu pojawiły się pierwsze kursy. I... jestem w SZOKU! Jutro będę bogaty, a Wy razem ze mną. Do zobaczenia po południu!

MORIGAMI-KRAJICEK
The main news for this match is that Krajicek is injured and she will only play this match because this is a Grand Slam. She has an elbow injury and she can't even beat a proper backhand, as she showed in an interview to a Dutch TV. She has only played one match this season, so besides the injury that will prevent her to play proper tennis, she will also be rusty and with lack of match pratice for this match.

Morigami is 0-2 SU this season, but that doesn't take her away her quality on hardcourt. She is also very experienced (28 years old) and she will surely take advantage of the problems Krajicek will have in playing proper tennis.

This was an easy pick to make. Krajicek is injured and she is going to face a good player on hardcourt, that has played more than a dozen of Grand Slam main draws. Take the Japanese Morigami in here.

6 pts Morigami @ 1.9

PIRONKOVA-GOVORTSOVA
Pironkova showed great shape in Sydney last week with straight sets wins over Rolle and Zakopalova and a hard fought loss against Cibulkova. She is 4-4 SU in Grand Slam 1st rounds and she never loses a match without pulling out a big fight. That's the reason why she has beaten Venus Williams in the first round of the AO in 2006 and Anna Lena Groenefeld in the first round of Wimbledon when she was a Top 15 player. That's also why she took Serena Williams to three sets in RG last season. Pironkova is way more talented than her ranking shows and she's expecting a great season to try to reach the Top 50.

Govortsova promised a lot in last year's Summer hardcourt season with some amazing wins, but she is in bad shape right now. Her 6:3 6:2 loss at the hands of Edina Gallovits last week in Hobart shows it. Sometimes it's hard when you're young and you have to confirm your status after being one of the big revelations of the previous season.

Pironkova is a very tough player and she can step it up her level of tennis in the Grand Slams. Govorstova is 2-2 SU and 0-2-2 ATS in Grand Slam matches, showing that she is still struggling to perform well in the big ones. Take Pironkova minus the games in here.

6 pts Pironkova @ 1.6

PARMENTIER-MULLER
Parmentier went 8-4 SU and 10-2 ATS on hardcourt in the past six months on WTA tournaments. She has also won her first title in Taskhent. All her 8 wins came in straight sets. Not even a single tie-break needed. She has also gone 2-0 SU and 2-0 ATS on first round matches on Grand Slams in 2007, her first real year in the circuit.

Muller is 3-17 SU and 6-12-1 ATS against Top 100 players outside clay in the past twelve months. She hasn't won a set against a Top 70 outside clay since March, losing all the last 20 sets she has played against them.

Parmentier is simply the better player of the two and expect her to take this one in straight sets. Muller is simply too weak on hardcourt, while Parmentier is showing that she is tough to beat on this surface.

6 pts Parmentier to win 2:0 @ 1.85

ROCHUS-QUERREEY
Rochus loves to explore the weak movement of his opponents and that's why he is 3-0 vs Karlovic and 2-0 vs Guccione. He has no problems vs big servers and he has defeated big servers in his last 3 AO 1st rounds in here (Kiefer, Llodra and Guccione).

Querrey reached the third round in here last season but he defeated two out-of-form players at that time: Acasuso and Serra. Big losses recently against Koubek and Seppi in fast surfaces show that Querrey is clueless when his opponents can return his serve. Querrey is also only 4-13 at ATP level in matches played outside USA.

Rochus has too much game and experience to beat Querrey in here. The American player isn't exactly playing his best and Rochus is experienced enough to be capable to play a good match on a Grand Slam. Take the Belgian to win in here.

6 pts Rochus @ 2.0

SANTORO-ISNER
Santoro just loves to face serve & volley players: 2-0 vs Karlovic, 3-0 vs Moodie, 2-0 vs Mirnyi, 1-0 vs Zverev, 4-0 vs Arthurs, 4-0 vs Llodra, 1-0 vs Pless, 4-0 vs Carlsen. Wow! Santoro will love to face Isner, as he will return the balls to Isner's feet and there will be nothing the American giant can do against it. Santoro is 10-5 in the 1st round of the Australian Open and all his losses were against great players: Krajicek (x2), Kafelnikov, Federer and Fish. Anytime Santoro is the favorite in here, he wins. He is also in great shape, being 4-2 SU this season and also 4-2 ATS. All his losses came against players better ranked than him (Davydenko and Tursunov).

This is the first month ever Isner plays outside USA and this will be the first match ever vs Top 50 player outside USA. Isner didn't impress at all in Sydney, losing to Ivo Minar in straight sets in the final round of the qualifying. Sometimes it's hard for the American players to be capable of performing outside their country as well as they do on the United States and this is something Isner will only get that with time.

Santoro loves to play serve & volley and he is the worst matchup possible for Isner. Take Santoro minus the sets in here (he has to win 3-0 or 3-1).

6 pts Santoro @ 1.5

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6 pts Dziewiątak @ 19.00 (!) gamebookers
Kendrick R. v Delic A. - 2 @ 1.60
Gremelmayr D. v Roitman - 1 @1.60
Gulbis E. v Safin - 2 @1.45
Zabaleta v Luczak P - 2 @ 1.30
Ventura S. v Del Porto - 2 @ 1.22
Johansson M. v Domachowska - 2 @ 1.35
Szavay A. v Makarova E. - 1 @ 1.05
Vinci v Ruano Pascual - 2 @ 1.57
Pin v Niculescu - 1 @ 1.45