BC Kalev/Cramo

Infobox Basketball club
color1 = #FFCD35
color2 = #4169E1
name = Kalev
nickname =

imagesize =
leagues = 2nd - KML
founded = 1998
history = 1998 - present
arena = Saku Suurhall(capacity: 7,200)
location = Tallinn, Estonia
colors = Blue and white
president = flagicon|Estonia Ivar Valdmaa
coach = flagicon|New Zealand Nenad Vučinić
championships ="'(2) Estonian League Championships
(3) Estonian Cups
website = [http://www.bckalev.ee www.bckalev.ee]
h_body = 1560BD
h_pattern_b = _basketballwhiteborder
h_shorts = 1560BD
h_pattern_s = _whitesides
a_body = FFFFFF
a_pattern_b =
a_shorts = FFFFFF
a_pattern_s =

BC Kalev/Cramo is a basketball club based in Tallinn, Estonia participating in SEB Korvpalli Meistriliiga, Baltic Basketball League and ULEB Cup. The club was previously known under the name Ehitustööriist, but after winning the Estonian title, the name was changed to BC Kalev/Cramo. [http://www.epl.ee/?artikkel=295553 "Ehitustöörist muutub Kaleviks"] et icon ] Kalev/Cramo has won the Estonian title two times (2005, 2006).

History

Founded in 1998 under the name Ehitustööriist, the team already entered the Estonian League in its debut season, finishing last in 1999 and 2000 with a combined record of 2-53. Despite of the hard start the team had a firm goal of developing young talent to create one of the top Baltic teams. Ehitustööriist struggled in the Estonian League for three more years between 2001 and 2003, but went a step higher in the 2003-04 season under the Dutch coach Maarten Van Gent, finishing fifth overall with a respectable 13-20 record.

It all changed in a historical 2004-05 season, as the club's hard work paid off in the most incredible way. Under the coaching of Allan Dorbek Ehitustööriist won its first Estonian League title by downing Tartu Ülikool/Rock in a thrilling seven-game finals that went down to the final play. A 69-68 win was enough for Kalev to lift the trophy. Kalev also participated in the first season of the Baltic Basketball League finishing eight among ten teams. Soon after that the team changed its name to BC Kalev/Cramo and coached by legendary shooter Aivar Kuusmaa they added a second KML title by beating Tartu Rock 4-3 in the finals. The team also made its European debut by competing in the FIBA EuroCup, but with little success.

2006-07 season started under the new head coach Veselin Matic. Under the Serb's coaching Kalev made it to Round II in EuroCup, but lost to Tartu in the Estonian finals with the games 4-2. In BBL Kalev/Cramo reached to play-offs but lost to BK Ventspils. In 2007-08 Kalev was playing in ULEB Cup. Unfortunately star player Travis Reed could not play in the Estonian League finals and Tartu Rock defeated Kalev 4-0. In BBL the team again played in the play-offs but did not reach the final-four due to a defeat against Latvian squad ASK Riga.

On June 2, 2008, team president Ivar Valdmaa announced that the new head coach for 2008-09 season will be the New Zealand national basketball team head coach Nenad Vučinić. [http://www.basketball.org.nz/news/vucinic-inks-in-estonia/ "Vucinic inks in Estonia"] ] The contract was made for 2 years.

SEB Korvpalli Meistriliiga

European Competition

Titles

* Estonian League: 2005, 2006
* Estonian Cup: 2005, 2006, 2007

Current Roster

Notable players

* Nate Fox (2008–present)
* John Lewis Linehan (2008–present)
* Martin Müürsepp (2008–present)
* Kristjan Kangur (2006–present)
* Valmo Kriisa (2006–present)
* Tanel Sokk (2006–present)
* Ed Scott (1 season: '08)
* Dušan Jelić (1 season: '08)
* Travis Reed (2 season: '06–'08)
* Catalin Burlacu (1 season: '06–'07)
* Ivano Newbill (1 season: '06–'07)

References

External links

* [http://www.bckalev.ee Official Website]
* [http://www.eurobasket.com/team.asp?Cntry=EST&Team=2763 Eurobasket profile]
* [http://basket.ee Official KML league page] et icon
* [http://www.basketpedya.com/Acc002InfEq.php?ideq=2785&idioma=3 Completed list of former Kalev/Cramo players (1998-2007) by basketpedya.com]