Eurobasket Preparation - Koufos And Greece Won the 2011 Beko Supercup

(Kosta Koufos, Kostas Kaimakoglou, & Dimitris Mavroidis celebrate the 2011 Beko Supercup title - Bamberg, Germany - 8.21.2011)

Eurobasket Preparation - 2011 Beko Supercup Tournament in Bamberg, Germany - August 19-21, 2011.

8.19.2011 - Greece 62 Turkey 38 (Supercup Day One)
- Kosta Koufos: 9 points

8.20.2011 - Greece 69 Germany 56 (Supercup Day Two)
- Kosta Koufos: 17 points

8.21.2011 - Greece 70 Belgium 61 (Supercup Day Three)
- Kosta Koufos: 12 points

Looking Formidable - Kosta Koufos & the Greek National Team played four phases of games in prep for the 2011 Fiba European Championships in Lithuania. The first stage took place in Cyprus (8/5/ through 8/7) where Greece won three close games over Italy (76-70), Israel (68-66), & Russia (83-80). From viewing the game in Cyprus, it seemed like each of the head coaches were just attempting to get a feel for their rosters by experimenting with lineups & player minutes.

Greece displayed better execution & cohesion in the second phase at the Rimini Tournament in Italy (8/12 through 8/14). Kosta Koufos in particular looked very comfortable in wins against Poland (71-50 - 16pts), Bosnia & Herzegovina (87-62), and in the final game versus Italy. The Greeks didn't have any trouble in the first two contests before succombing to the host Italians on the 14th (73-82) - The rematch with Italy (Greece defeated Italy in the first game in Cyprus) was one of the more intense games for Greece up to that point and was definitely a preview of how tough the competition would be at Eurobasket.

Third Stage - The 2011 Beko Supercup (8/19 through 8/21) in Bamberg featured the national teams of Turkey, Greece, Belgium and Germany. Greece took their play from Italy to a higher level against the tougher field in Germany. They looked extremely locked in during a susprisingly dominant victory over a loaded Turkey team on day one (62-38). Koufos completely took over a stretch in the 2nd quarter vs Turkey.

The blossoming center from Canton, Ohio made some major noise on Day 2 by erupting for 17 points against the host Germans in front of a raucos audience. Greece defeated Dirk Nowitzki & Germany by a score of 69-56. Koufos looked great on offense ingeneral and also did a good job of defending fellow NBA center Chris Kayman in the post. The Supercup title was then clinched on Day 3 after a tough battle with the Belgian National team (71-60)..Koufos & Greece looked read to compete in Eurobasket after this Supercup Tourmanet in Bamberg.

- Video - (Kosta Koufos vs Germany & Dirk Nowitzki..fresh off his NBA championship - 8.20.2011 - Bamberg, Germany)