26/06/07 British league champions Guildford Heat Basketball Club are delighted to announce that they have been invited to be the sole British representatives in the prestigious ULEB Cup competition for the 2007/8 season. ULEB, the acronym for Union of European Basketball Leagues, in conjunction with Euroleague Basketball, organise this annual competition which features leading club sides from throughout Europe. The current holders of the ULEB Cup are Spanish giants Real Madrid. Commenting on behalf of the club, Vice Chairman Andrew Bird had this to say, "This is yet another momentous day in the incredible journey of this young club. No one realistically expected the Heat to win the BBL Championship in its second season, but to be awarded a place in the ULEB Cup is truly remarkable and speaks volumes for the progression of British basketball. The credit for this achievement rests squarely on the shoulders of Head Coach Paul James, his coaching staff and the talented pool of players he has nurtured and developed." The ULEB Cup is the second highest tier of professional basketball in Europe, following that of the Euroleague itself. This coming season will see the ULEB Cup expanded to include 54 clubs representing 25 European nations. In its new format, it will likely be the largest professional basketball tournament in the world. As such, it will also represent a large step up for the BBL Championship and Cup winners as well as a positive step forward for British basketball, which has not competed at this level in many years. Head Coach Paul James had this to add, "None of us should be under any illusions about the quality of opponents we will face in this competition. It will be hard going and may include traveling to some rather exotic places, but I can promise our supporters that regardless of the outcomes, I will have the team well prepared and as ready as possible to compete against all comers." British Basketball League chairman Paul Blake added his views as follows: "We are delighted to learn that the Heat will be participating in the ULEB Cup in 2007- 08. I am sure I speak on behalf of the whole of British basketball when I wish them the very best in their endeavours representing the BBL in Europe". The ULEB Cup campaign consists of 10 Group Stage games, 5 home and 5 away before moving to either a second Group Phase or Quarterfinal stages. Group Stage games will begin in late October and at least one game each week will be broadcast on the satellite and cable all sports network Eurosport until the conclusion of the competition. The 2008 ULEB Cup Final will be held in Charleroi, Belgium.
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