EUROLEAGUE – Battling Bamberg knock off Olympiacos

BAMBERG (Euroleague) - Olympiacos have the bigger name but Brose Baskets Bamberg had the better game on Wednesday night as they upset the Greek giants 73-61 in the Euroleague.

One week after a second-half collapse at Virtus Roma, Bamberg rebounded in style with a raucous 6,800-strong home crowd cheering them every step of the way.

Also on Wednesday evening, there were victories for Montepaschi Siena, Efes Pilsen, Caja Laboral, Partizan Belgrade, Regal Barcelona and Virtus Roma.

The result of the night was in Germany, where Bamberg's Brian Roberts tore apart Olympiacos with a game-high 23 points.

"The guys walked around and always heard people talking about (us) not to lose by 30," Bamberg coach Chris Fleming said.

"After the loss in Rome, they made a great adjustment to the physicality of the Euroleague in just one week."

As for Roberts, Fleming said: "Brian was outstanding tonight.

"He showed his qualities as a player. So I am very thankful for this win."

Summer signings Vassilis Spanoulis and Matt Nielsen of Australia struggled for the Reds.

In more than 33 minutes, Spanoulis scored just 11 points and turned the ball over four times while Nielsen had eight points in 30 minutes and committed three turnovers.

Other than the defeat in Rome, Bamberg have enjoyed a fantastic season.

They have won their first six games in Germany's Beko BBL.

First Euroleague triumph for Jovanovic

Partizan Belgrade improved to 1-1 with a 72-68 triumph over BC Khimki.

The win was the first in the Euroleague for Partizan coach Vladimir Jovanovic, who replaced Dusko Vujosevic following his departure to CSKA Moscow.

Nathan Jawai, who didn't make Australia's team for the FIBA World Championship, has followed in the footsteps of his compatriot Aleks Maric (currently Panathinaikos) by playing at Partizan and he had a big game against Khimki.

Jawai poured in 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

Partizan were roared on by more than 7,000 fans in the Pionir.

Montepaschi Siena have a lot of new players this season but the results so far are the same.

Simone Pianigiani's team chalked up another win, a 79-75 victory at Lietuvos Rytas.

Returning to his home country of Lithuania must have felt good for Rimantas Kaukenas because the shooting guard led the visitors with 16 points, although he also had a game-high six turnovers.

Montepaschi have captured the Lega A title the last four years, and the last two seasons they also captured the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa.

The Siena club began this season with a Supercoppa victory over Canadian Solar Bologna and now they have two victories in both the domestic league, and Europe.

Efes Pilsen hit back from their double-overtime setback at Union Olimpija last week by pulling away in the second half to beat Power Electronics Valencia, 79-63.

Caja Laboral won for the second week in a row, beating hosts Asseco Prokom 80-73.

Former Prokom guard David Logan had an off-night shooting against his old team, making just three of 12 shots from the field and scoring eight points.

Caja Laboral's Brazil international point guard Marcelo Huertas was brilliant.

He didn't miss a shot, drilling both three-balls and two shots inside the arc while also sinking a pair of free-throws.

Huertas finished with 12 points, eight assists, five rebounds and also came up with two steals.

Barcelona rebound

Regal Barcelona hit back from their overtime defeat to CAI Zaragoza with an 84-77 victory at Cholet.

The French champions trailed 24-14 at the end of the first quarter but began to battle and closed the gap to 71-70.

Erman Kunter's team didn't execute in the latter stages of the game.

"At the end of the game, we made defensive mistakes," Kunter said.

"For example, at 70-71, (Vule) Avdalovic made an unnecessary double-team on (Erazem) Lorbek, who passed the ball to (Victor) Sada, who made a three-pointer.

"Today we could have won. But we still do not have confidence in ourselves.

"That explains our bad start.

"When we feel we can win, we fight.

"In the Euroleague, we have to fight from the instant the game starts. "

Virtus Roma improved to 2-0 with a 64-55 victory at Spirou Charleroi.

Italy international Andrea Crosariol had 16 points and eight rebounds in the success while Darius Washington led the Romans with 20 points, seven rebounds and two assists.

FIBA