FIBA Europe

Gran Canaria Storm Into EuroCup

// 12 November 2008

The mood is very upbeat in the Canary Islands when it comes to basketball.

Kalise Gran Canaria, who upset Unicaja Malaga on Sunday to climb into first place in the ACB for the first time in club history, is also in the EuroCup after completing their Qualifying Round 2 demolition of Benetton Olympic on Tuesday.

Great Britain international Joel Freeland had 19 points and six rebounds while three other players hit double figures for Gran Canaria in a 103-61 victory.

The result gave the Spanish outfit a 195-125 triumph on aggregate.

Though he didn't hit double digits in scoring, Mario Fernández went very close to hitting a triple-double.

The 24-year-old guard finished with eight points, eight assists and nine rebounds.

Quotes Gran Canaria vs. Benetton Olympic

// 11 November 2008

Salva Maldonado (Gran Canaria's head coach):

"First of all, I would like to congratulate Benetton Fribourg for their attitude and effort, because it wasn´t an easy game after the disadvantage from the first game in Switzerland. We saw a good game because my players did their best."

Damien Leyrolles (Benetton Fribourg's head coach):

"There is a big difference between the two teams. Gran Canaria are used to play important games. We would like to reach their level."

Daniel Kickert (Gran Canaria's power forward):

"It is very important to continue winning. Now we will play with really good teams in the Eurocup".

JR Harrison (Benetton Fribourg's center):

"We have learn a lot in both games of this Qualifying Round. Gran Canaria is the leader of the most important league in Europe".

CB Gran Canaria		Benetton Olympic
Joel Freeland		Dennis Harrison
19	Pts	17
6	Reb	5
0	Ass	2
20	Min	25

CB Gran Canaria

Benetton Olympic

41/79	FG M/A	23/55
32/48 (66.7%)	2PtFG M/A	19/37 (51.4%)
9/31 (29.0%)	3PtFG M/A	4/18 (22.2%)
12/18 (66.7%)	FT M/A	11/20 (55.0%)
48 (15-33)	Reb (O-D)	31 (4-27)
25	Ass	10
11	To	19
15	St	7
5	Bs	3
18	Pf	16
103	Pts	61