Estonian Basketball Player of the Year
The Estonian Basketball Player of the Year is an annual award given to the best performing Estonian basketball player of the respective season. The award was launched in 1995. Kristjan Kangur has won the award a record eight times; until 2000, only players who held Estonian citizenship and played in the Korvpalli Meistriliiga were eligible for the award. Since 2000, the domestic league clause was dropped and Estonian players who played abroad were added to the vote
Margus Metstak
Margus Metstak is a retired Estonian professional basketball player who played at the center position. Margus Metstak started his career at the age of 18 with Tallinn Pedagogical Institute for whom he played in Estonian SSR Championships until the dissolution of the Soviet Union. However, he improved and went on to play professionally for Soviet Union top-flight team Kalev Tallinn. In 1982, only his second year as a professional, the team reached the semi-finals of the Soviet Basketball Cup and took the bronze medal; the biggest breakthrough came in 1991, when Kalev Tallinn won the Soviet Union Basketball League and became the last official champions of the collapsed empire. Kalev won the regular season with 18-4 record. In quarter-finals they beat ASK Kyiv 2-0 and went on to play in the semi-finals against Latvian BK VEF Rīga; the Latvian team won the first game 94-87, but Kalev managed to win two games in a row and the series overall 2-1. In the finals Estonians won both games against BC Spartak Saint Petersburg and won the first and last Soviet championship for Kalev Tallinn.
Metstak played for Korisliiga team NMKY Lahti in late 1990, before returning to Estonia in January 1991. Following the big triumph, he went back to Finland for a season, before making a brief move to Luxembourg's team Amicale Basket. After being one of the main figures of Estonia national basketball team's successful EuroBasket 1993 in Germany, Margus Metstak received offers to play in Basketball Bundesliga for TSV Speyer and Paderborn Baskets, respectively. For the 2001-2002 season, at the age of 40, he earned his last contract from abroad, joining Polish side Czarni Słupsk. After the spell with the Polish team, the 41-year-old center moved to TTÜ/A. Le Coq. Metstak played the last few years of his career with his hometown club, BC Pirita, as a semi-professional, he has been working as a coach for re-established BC Tallinna Kalev. Metstak's national career started in 1981. In 1991, when Estonia regained their independence from Soviet Union, he was a regular center for the Estonia national basketball team.
Margus Metstak was on the squad for both the EuroBasket 1993 and EuroBasket 2001 competitions, the only times Estonia has qualified for that tournament. In 1993, the Estonian team surprised all of Europe, winning group D ahead of eventual European champion Germany and strong ex-Yugoslavian side Slovenia. In the knock-out stages they lost to Russia, beat Bosnia and Herzegovina and were beaten in the 5th-place game by Spain; this meant. In 2001, 40-year-old Metstak scored 8.3 points and took 6 rebounds per game, when Estonia finished in the disappointing last place. Margus Metstak is to date the oldest basketballer to play at the EuroBasket. Profile at basket.ee Lään, Vello. Eesti korvpall portreed. Eesti Korvpalliliit. Pp. 289–297. ISBN 9949-406-68-4
Estonia men's national basketball team
The Estonia men's national basketball team represents Estonia in international basketball and is controlled by the Estonian Basketball Association. Estonia first competed internationally at the 1936 Summer Olympics; the team has made five appearances at the European Basketball Championship, the EuroBasket, with best results coming from 1937 and 1939, when the team finished in fifth place. Estonia joined FIBA on 23 November 1934. Coached by Herbert Niiler, Estonia first competed internationally at the 1936 Summer Olympics, held in Berlin, the first Olympic tournament to hold basketball as an official medal event. Estonia played in the opening match of the tournament, defeating France 34–29; the team lost the subsequent second round match against the United States 28–52, but passed the consolation round and faced the Philippines in the third round, losing 22–39. Estonia participated in the EuroBasket 1937; the team won their first game against Egypt 44–15, but failed to advance past the group stage after suffering a 15–20 defeat against Lithuania and a 20–30 defeat against Italy.
Estonia placed fifth in the final rankings after defeating Czechoslovakia 30–20 and Latvia 41–19. The EuroBasket 1939 used a different format from the previous championship, with eight teams facing off in a round-robin tournament. Estonia finished the tournament with a 4 -- another fifth place. Heino Veskila was the tournament's scoring leader with 16.7 points per game. In 1940, Estonia was occupied by the Soviet Union and the team was disbanded. After the restoration of independence, the Estonian Basketball Association rejoined FIBA in 1991; the team competed in the EuroBasket 1993, held in Germany. Despite missing star players Martin Müürsepp and Tiit Sokk, the team, coached by Jaak Salumets won their group in the preliminary round, finishing ahead of hosts and eventual champions Germany and Belgium. In the second round, Estonia finished third in their group and advanced to the quarter-finals, where the team lost to Russia 61–82 and was knocked out. In the classification rounds, Estonia defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 99–91 and lost to Spain 80–119, finishing the championship in sixth place with a 6–5 record.
Aivar Kuusmaa was the team's scoring leader with 19.9 points per game. Estonia participated in the EuroBasket 2001, held in Turkey. Coached by Üllar Kerde, Estonia lost all three preliminary round matches against Germany and Croatia, failing to advance past the group stage and finishing the championship with a disappointing 0–3 record and a 14th place. Martin Müürsepp led the team in scoring with 18.3 points per game, while Margus Metstak made 6.0 rebounds per game, Rauno Pehka and Tanel Tein averaged 2.7 assists per game. After 2001, Estonia failed to qualify for another major basketball tournament for 14 years; the team competed in the FIBA EuroBasket 2011 Division B tournament. Coached by Tiit Sokk, Estonia qualified for the EuroBasket 2015, with preliminary round matches held in Riga, Latvia. Estonia's first two performances were poor as the team suffered heavy defeats in games against Czech Republic and Belgium. However, the team bounced back with a 78–71 victory against Ukraine, their first EuroBasket victory since 1993.
The next game saw. In the final group phase game, Estonia played against Latvia, losing 64–75 and failing to advance to the knockout stage. Estonia finished the championship in 20th place with a 1–4 record. Gregor Arbet was the team's scoring leader with 11.6 points per game, while Siim-Sander Vene averaged 6.4 rebounds and Sten Sokk contributed 4.2 assists per game. Roster for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification. Estonia women's national basketball team Official website Estonian Basketball Association website FIBA Profile
Tartu
Tartu is the second largest city of Estonia, after Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn. Tartu is considered the intellectual centre of the country since it is home to the nation's oldest and most renowned university, the University of Tartu; the city houses the Supreme Court of Estonia, the Ministry of Education and Research, the new building of the Estonian National Museum, opened to the public in October 2016. It is the birthplace of Estonian Song Festivals. Situated 186 kilometres southeast of Tallinn and 245 kilometres northeast of Riga, Tartu lies on the Emajõgi, which connects the two largest lakes of Estonia; the city is served by Tartu Airport. Since 1918, the Estonian name Tartu has been used, but as the town has come under control of various rulers throughout its history, there have been various names for it in different languages. Most of them derive from the earliest attested form, the Estonian Tarbatu. In German and Polish the town has been known and is sometimes still referred to as Dorpat, a variant of Tarbatu.
In Russian, the city has been known as Юрьев and as Дерпт. The city has been known as Tērbata in Latvian, while Finnish-speakers use the toponym Tartto. Archaeological evidence of the first permanent settlement on the site of modern Tartu dates to as early as the 5th century AD. By the 7th century, local inhabitants had built a wooden fortification on the east side of Toome Hill; the first documented record of the area was made in 1030 by chroniclers of Kievan Rus. Yaroslav I the Wise, Prince of Kiev, invaded the region that year, built his own fort there, named it Yuryev. Kievan rulers collected tribute from the surrounding ancient Estonian county of Ugaunia until 1061, according to chronicles, Yuryev was burned down by Estonian tribe called Sosols. Kievan Rus' again controlled Tartu from 1133 for an unknown period up to 1176/1177. In the 12th century Tartu was the most notable Slavic settlement in Chud territory. Estonian amateur historian Enn Haabsaar speculates that the "Yuryev" mentioned in this context is Bila Tserkva, Ukraine, a town, founded by Yaroslav I the Wise as Yuriev about the same time, 1032.
His views have been criticized by historian Ain Mäesalu. During the period of Northern Crusades in the beginning of the 13th century the fort of Tarbatu was captured by the crusading Livonian Knights — known as the Brothers of the Sword — and recaptured by Estonians on several occasions. In 1224, after Ugaunia had recognized the supremacy of Novgorod and Pskov princes who sent additional troops led by prince Vyachko of Kukenois to the fort, it was besieged and conquered for one last time by the German crusaders. Subsequently, known as Dorpat, Tartu became a commercial centre of considerable importance during the Middle Ages and the capital of the semi-independent Bishopric of Dorpat. In 1262 the army of Prince Dmitri of Pereslavl, son of Alexander Nevsky launched an assault on Dorpat and destroying the town, his troops did not manage to capture the bishop's fortress on Toome Hill. The event was recorded both in German and Old East Slavic chronicles, which provided the first record of a settlement of German merchants and artisans which had arisen alongside the bishop's fortress.
In medieval times, after the Livonian Order was subsumed into the Teutonic Knights in 1236, the town became an important trading city. In the 1280s Dorpat joined the Hanseatic League; as in all of Estonia and Latvia, the German-speaking nobility, but in Tartu/Dorpat more so, the Baltic German bourgeoisie, the literati, dominated culture, architecture and politics until the late 19th century. For example, the town hall of Dorpat was designed by an architect from Rostock in Mecklenburg, while the university buildings were designed by Johann Wilhelm Krause, another German. Many, if not most, of the students, more than 90 percent of the faculty members were of German descent, numerous statues of notable scholars with German names can still be found in Tartu today. Most Germans left during the first half of the 20th century, in particular as part of the Heim ins Reich program of the Nazis, following the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact in 1939. In 1558, tsar Ivan the Terrible invaded Tartu beginning the Livonian War.
Forces under the command of Pyotr Shuiski began heavy bombardment. In light of this and without any prospect of external help the town surrendered; the local bishop was imprisoned in Moscow, which ended the period of local self-government. In the effect of the Truce of Jam Zapolski of 1582 the city along with southern regions of Livonian Confederation became part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. In 1598 it became the capital of the Dorpat Voivodeship of the Duchy of Livonia. A Jesuit grammar school "Gymnasium Dorpatense" was established in 1583. In addition, a translators' seminary was organized in Tartu and the city received its red and white flag from the Polish king Stephen Báthory; the activities of both the grammar school and the seminary were stopped by the Polish–Swedish War. In late 1600 the forces of Charles IX of Sweden besieged the city defended by three banners of reiters and the city's burghers. Despite repeated assaults, the Swedes could not enter the city. In 1601 Capt. Hermann Wrangel switched sides, assaulted the cast
Siim-Sander Vene
Siim-Sander Vene is an Estonian professional basketball player for Herbalife Gran Canaria of the Liga ACB and the EuroLeague. He is a 2.03 m tall power forward. Vene was named Estonian Basketball Player of the Year in 2017 and 2018. Vene represents the Estonian national basketball team internationally. Vene began playing basketball with Siili Palliklubi and TTÜ. In 2006, Vene joined Žalgiris' junior team Žalgiris-Arvydas Sabonis school. With Žalgiris, Vene won the Nike International Junior Tournament in 2007 and the Nacionalinė krepšinio lyga in 2008. Vene was loaned to Kaunas Triobet of the Lietuvos krepšinio lyga for the 2008–09 season. In the 2009 -- 10 Euroleague, Vene averaged 1.8 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game. In October 2010, Vene was loaned to Kaunas, in December 2010, to Ludwigsburg of the Basketball Bundesliga. In 2011, Vene joined Baltai on loan from Žalgiris. In February 2012, he was loaned to VEF Rīga of the Latvijas Basketbola Līga. On 27 September 2012, Vene was loaned to Prienai.
Prienai finished the 2012–13 season in fourth place. In July 2013, Vene returned to Žalgiris. In the 2013–14 Euroleague, Vene averaged 3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game, as Žalgiris reached Top 16. Vene won his first Lithuanian Championship in the 2013–14 season, after defeating Neptūnas 4 games to 2 in the finals. In the 2014–15 season, Vene averaged 3.4 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game in the Euroleague and won his second Lithuanian Championship, after Žalgiris defeated league rivals Lietuvos rytas 4–0 in the finals. In the 2015–16 Euroleague, Žalgiris once again reached Top 16, but failed to advance to the playoffs with a 2–12 record. Vene averaged 1.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. He won his third consecutive Lithuanian Championship in the 2015–16 season, after Žalgiris defeated Neptūnas in the finals. On 8 August 2016, Vene signed with Nizhny Novgorod of the VTB United League, he was named Estonian Basketball Player of the Year in 2017. On 16 August 2017, Vene signed with Reggiana of the Lega Basket Serie A.
On 29 September, he was sidelined for three months due to a leg injury and didn't play any games for Reggiana. On 4 January 2018, it was announced that Vene will sign for LBA club Varese for the remainder of the 2017–18 season. On 21 June 2018, he was named Estonian Basketball Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. On September 5, 2018, Vene signed a six-weeks deal with Manresa of the Liga ACB as a replacement for the injured Justin Doellman, he was released from the team. He signed with another Liga ACB team Fuenlabrada in December 2018. Only a week Vene moved to another Liga ACB team Gran Canaria after making use of his opt-out for signing with a EuroLeague team. Vene was a member of the Estonian national under-18 basketball team that competed at the 2007 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship and finished the tournament in 12th place. Vene averaged 5 rebounds and 1 assist per game; as a member of the senior Estonian national team, Vene competed at the EuroBasket 2015, averaging 10 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.
Estonia finished the tournament in 20th place. Vene's father and mother, were both basketballers, his father is now a basketball coach. Vene's younger brother, Kent-Kaarel, is a professional basketball player. Note: The EuroLeague is not the only competition in which the player participated for the team during the season, he played in domestic competition, regional competition if applicable. Žalgiris-Arvydas Sabonis schoolNike International Junior Tournament champion: 2007 Lithuanian 2nd division champion: 2008Žalgiris3× Lithuanian League champion: 2014, 2015, 2016 Baltic Basketball League champion: 2010 Lithuanian Cup champion: 2015VEF RīgaLatvian League champion: 2012PrienaiLithuanian Cup champion: 2013 Estonian Basketball Player of the Year: 2017, 2018 Siim-Sander Vene at basket.ee Siim-Sander Vene at euroleague.net Siim-Sander Vene at fiba.com
Small forward
The small forward known as the three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are shorter and leaner than power forwards and centers, but taller and larger than either of the guard positions; the small forward is considered to be the most versatile of the five main basketball positions. In the NBA, small forwards range from 6' 6" to 6' 10" while in the WNBA, small forwards are between 5' 11" to 6' 2". Small forwards are responsible for scoring points, defending and as secondary or tertiary rebounders behind the power forward and center, although a few have considerable passing responsibilities. Many small forwards in professional basketball are prolific scorers; the styles with which small forwards amass their points vary widely. Some players at the position are accurate shooters, others prefer to initiate physical contact with opposing players, still others are slashers who possess jump shots. In some cases, small forwards position as off-the-ball specialists.
Small forwards who are defensive specialists are versatile as they can guard multiple positions using their size and strength
Shooting guard
The shooting guard known as the two or off guard, is one of the five traditional positions in a regulation basketball game. A shooting guard's main objective is to steal the ball on defense; some teams ask. A player who can switch between playing shooting guard and small forward is known as a swingman. In the NBA, shooting guards range from 6' 3" to 6' 7" and 5' 9" to 6' 0" in the WNBA; the Basketball Handbook by Lee Rose describes a shooting guard as someone whose primary role is to score points. As the name suggests, most shooting guards are good long-range shooters averaging 35–40 percent from three-point range. Many shooting guards are strong and athletic, have the ability to get inside the paint and drive to the basket. Shooting guards are taller than point guards. Height at the position varies. Shooting guards should be good ball handlers and be able to pass reasonably well, though passing is not their main priority. Since good shooting guards may attract double-teams, they are the team's back-up ball handlers to the point guard and get a fair number of assists.
Shooting guards must be able to score in various ways late in a close game when defenses are tighter. They need to have a good free throw percentage too, to be reliable in close games and to discourage opposing players from fouling; because of the high level of offensive skills shooting guards need, they are a team's primary scoring option, sometimes the offense is built around them. In the NBA, there are some shooting guards referred to as "D" players; the term 3 and D implies that the player is a good 3 point shooter who can play solid defense. The 3 and D player has become important as the game sways to be perimeter oriented. Good shooting guards can play point guard to a certain extent, it is accepted that point guards should have the ball in their hands at most times in the game, but sometimes the shooting guard has a significant enough influence on the team where he or she handles the ball often, to the point where the point guard may be reduced to a backup ball handler or spot-up shooter.
The Basketball Handbook. Lee H. Rose ISBN 0-7360-4906-1 Media related to Shooting guards at Wikimedia Commons
