Euroleague Qualification - D. Lauderdale & Turow Battled Russian Power Khimki in Belgium

(Dallas Lauderdale & PGE Turow of Poland made a late September 2011 trip to Charleroi, Belgium in hopes of earning a birth into the 2011/2012 Euroleague Regular Season)

(PGE Turow's side of the Charleroi bracket featured BC Khimki of Russia, Czech Champion CEZ Nymburk, and Banvit from Turkey. The top bracket was played in Vilinius, Lithuania)

9.30.2010 - PGE Turow 67 vs BC Khimki 74 (Euroleague Qualification - Belgium Bracket Quarterfinals)
- Dallas Lauderdale: 5 rebounds, 2 points (1-2), 1 steal, 1 block (23 minutes)

Euroleague - The Turkish Airlines Euroleague or Euroleague is the international competition that is reputed as the highest level of Basketball outside of the NBA. This is the super-league where elite teams travel outside of their normal league/domestic play to compete against championship level squads from other countries. Sixteen teams converged in Belgium & Lithuania to earn a place in the Euroleague Regular Season via two three-round Qualification tournaments (for 2 spots). PGE Turow was given a place in the Qualifiers due to finishing as the Polish League runner-ups last season (2010/2011).

Dallas' 1st big European Game - We always state that a unique aspect of International basketball is the various competitions, special tournaments & leagues that exist. Here we are in early Fall where it is universally understood that no team is at top form, yet there is this late September Qualification tournament to determine entry into the toughest level of European Basketball. So right from the jump we have these high level, high pressure, do or die type of contests that stateside pre-season play simply does not offer. After a month of training and a slew of preparation games, rookie Dallas Lauderdale found himself in one these difficult early season settings on September 30. (Belgium's famous Spiroudome for a Euroleague contest versus a tough Russian team from Russia).



Turow Came to Play - PGE Turow's opponent, BC Khimki, has been one of Russia's high profile clubs in recent years. They competed in the Euroleague last season and were tabbed as the favorites to not only defeat Turow, but ultimately emerge out of Charleroi with another EL birth. It is easy to understand why many did not give Turow or anyone else in the bracket a chance against Khimki. The Russian club's roster includes Columbus' Chris Quinn (S.A Spurs), Austin Daye (Detroit Pistons), Timofey Mozgov (Denver Nuggets), and overseas vet Thomas Kelati.

Despite the alleged talent disadvantage, David Jackson (G) & Turow came out and went nose to nose with Khimki resulting in a close 31-29 deficit at halftime. However, the favorites responded to Turow's poised play by winning the 3rd Q by a score of 27-16, thus taking control of the game. The Polish squad kept fighting in the last period (won the 4th 22-16), but they would inevitably fall to Khimki in a tough 74-67 defeat. While Turow did not advance in the EL Qualification, they came away from Belgium knowing their capability of competing against Eurolegue level squads. Moreover, Dallas Lauderdale was able to get a little big game experience (23 minutes, 5 rebounds, 2 points on two attempts, 1 block, & 1 assist).

PGE Turow will now compete in Polish Basketball League as well as the Eurocup Competition. (EuroCup's second best superleague - Eurocup draw is on October 11)