Estonia's EuroCup representatives BC Kalev have wasted no time in stamping their authority on the 2006-07 campaign.

New coach Veselin Matic of Serbia steered the 2005-06 domestic champions to Estonian Cup glory at the expense of TU/Rock in the final that was played in the AleCoq Sports Hall on September 24.

Expectations are soaring for the games that lie ahead, and one reason is the arrival of Romanian ace Catalin Burlacu.

The 210-cm center, who was not available for the Estonian Cup, averaged better than 18 points and six rebounds this summer as Romania claimed three straight wins in EuroBasket Division B.

Burlacu has EuroCup experience, having turned out for CSU Asesoft Ploiesti last season.

He averaged 13 points and 4.2 rebounds for Ploiesti, who managed to prevail in just one of their six European games.

Burlacu will lead the charge against BC Kyiv, Liege Basket and UNICS Kazan in Group E.

		Valmo Kriisa will be a key player in the back-court for BC Kalev.

In support of Burlacu are guards Valmo Kriisa and Tanel Sokk, both  Estonian internationals.

Another Matic is counting on for big contributions is forward Kristjan Kangur.

Kalev have signed guard James Allen, 1.94m guard, and center Travis Reed.

Both are 27-year-old Americans.

Reed had 16 points and Sokk 15 in Kalev's 97-92 triumph over TU/Rock on September 24 - the day of the Estonian Cup final.

"Our players move very well, this is our advantage," Matic said.

"Just look at Kriisa - he is 32 years old, but plays like a 26-year-old."

Matic is taking nothing for granted, from playing in the Estonian top flight, to the EuroCup or the Baltic League.

"This is a big challenge for me," he said.

"Everyone who comes to this region is drawn by the Baltic league. The league of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia - everyone respects it."

Kalev took part in last season's EuroCup and won just one of their six games.