Eurobasket club

Eurobasket history
Our current Statute is dated 9 June 1989, but there is historical evidence that Eurobasket existed already in the seventies: according to the Luxembourg Corporate Basketball League (BASCOL) archives, Eurobasket won the BASCOL cup twice, in 1976/77 and 1977/78. We are trying to reconstruct a memory for that period, too. Should you have any record or contact, please let us know. This is the oldest photo in Eurobasket archives, dated 1991, a true piece of basketball archaeology. Standing-left: President Rodolfo Maslias; number 10 is Mario Pinto, future Eurobasket President.
Here follow the true and frank words of former Eurobasket Presidents, describing their experience with an historical perspective: Rodolfo Maslias (President 1990-1994): "In 1990, as a fan of the Greek team Aris Thessaloniki I used to organise excursions to watch the team games in the European Cup. Stergios Kouparanis, a former basketball player and referee in Greece, who was working at the European Commission, suggested to make use of my experience in organising the football team Euroatlas and the Greek Cinema Club, and proposed to found a basketball club. We realised that a Eurobasket club had existed before, but it had been dismantled. We then received the agreement of the European Communities Sport Club to use the name and to re-create the club. We could also rent the halls in Beggen and at the Court of Justice, where we had two training sessions per week. The new team (see photo) won immediately the first championship with a multinational line up which included also a female Spanish colleague, a very dynamic play-maker. The interest for basketball kept growing and the team was constantly reinforced with new and younger players. During my presidency term until my secondment to Greece in 1994, we used to organise our general assemblies in restaurants and we established together a very nice atmosphere of friendship. I am very glad to see that Eurobasket is always there, stronger than ever, a true meeting point for diverse cultures through such a beautiful sport." Mario Pinto (President 1995-2004): "I had the honour to be in charge of the club for a long period. I've been secretary, treasurer and even president for a (too) long time. Sometimes all the three at the same time! During this time I've often felt alone in front of the, natural, selfishness of other members who just wanted to play basketball without having to worry about all the dark tasks essential to the club's life. Nevertheless, it was a pleasure to be at your side to live strong moments where emotions and pleasure were combined in "collective". I am delighted to have been able to contribute to the development of Eurobasket and its sustainability on the scene of corporate basketball in Luxembourg. Our club is involved in a fantastic adventure at the BASCOL level. Each year our teams represent with dignity our Institutions and offer exciting seasons, particularly rich in "emotions". The cohesion that exists today in the executive committee and the growing support of most of the club members are essential assets in its success. Each member of the club realised that everyone contributes to the success of tomorrow. And me ... I am now, finally, a selfish member who just wants to play basketball! " Alex Pelzl(President 2005-2009) : "I took over the presidency of Eurobasket from Mario Pinto who served so many years not only as president, but also at the same time as secretary and treasurer. He was the soul and heart of Eurobasket for so many years. Without him the club would have never achieved its actual standing in the BASCOL league. He organized a second gym for training and kept excellent relations to the authorities; it was his initiative to create a second team participating in the championship; he engaged a very good coach in 2004. Positive developments included: the recruitment of Phil Thomason as coach, Raymond Apel and Stergious Kouparanis for scouting, improved relations to referees, a team composed of excellent players and friends. All this, together with a lot of good luck, culminated in the win of the championship in the season 2005/06 by Eurobasket A. It was the highlight of my presidency and of my career as a player for this team too. Another main achievement during that period has been the integration of the new EU Member States. After some natural hesitation at the beginning and only "peaceful coexistence" (especially with the Lithuanian community in Luxemburg :-)), many players from new Member States joined the club and contributed in a considerable way to the success of Eurobasket. Today most of EU Member States are represented in the club: this is not only an incredible linguistic challenge for coaches during time-outs, but also an unbelievable enrichment for every individual on the court and outside during social events organized by the club. Europe at its best! I'm happy that the club is now managed in an excellent way by Luca Martinelli, my team mate for so many years, whom I want to thank for the initiative to reanimate Mario's idea to create this web site, which is another step forward for Eurobasket. I'm now free just to play basketball - if my body agrees!"

Eurobasket history

Our current Statute is dated 9 June 1989, but there is historical evidence that Eurobasket existed already in the seventies: according to the Luxembourg Corporate Basketball League (BASCOL) archives, Eurobasket won the BASCOL cup twice, in 1976/77 and 1977/78. We are trying to reconstruct a memory for that period, too. Should you have any record or contact, please let us know.

This is the oldest photo in Eurobasket archives, dated 1991, a true piece of basketball archaeology. Standing-left: President Rodolfo Maslias; number 10 is Mario Pinto, future Eurobasket President.

Here follow the true and frank words of former Eurobasket Presidents, describing their experience with an historical perspective:

Rodolfo Maslias (President 1990-1994):

"In 1990, as a fan of the Greek team Aris Thessaloniki I used to organise excursions to watch the team games in the European Cup. Stergios Kouparanis, a former basketball player and referee in Greece, who was working at the European Commission, suggested to make use of my experience in organising the football team Euroatlas and the Greek Cinema Club, and proposed to found a basketball club. We realised that a Eurobasket club had existed before, but it had been dismantled. We then received the agreement of the European Communities Sport Club to use the name and to re-create the club. We could also rent the halls in Beggen and at the Court of Justice, where we had two training sessions per week. The new team (see photo) won immediately the first championship with a multinational line up which included also a female Spanish colleague, a very dynamic play-maker. The interest for basketball kept growing and the team was constantly reinforced with new and younger players. During my presidency term until my secondment to Greece in 1994, we used to organise our general assemblies in restaurants and we established together a very nice atmosphere of friendship. I am very glad to see that Eurobasket is always there, stronger than ever, a true meeting point for diverse cultures through such a beautiful sport."

Mario Pinto (President 1995-2004):

"I had the honour to be in charge of the club for a long period. I've been secretary, treasurer and even president for a (too) long time. Sometimes all the three at the same time! During this time I've often felt alone in front of the, natural, selfishness of other members who just wanted to play basketball without having to worry about all the dark tasks essential to the club's life. Nevertheless, it was a pleasure to be at your side to live strong moments where emotions and pleasure were combined in "collective".
I am delighted to have been able to contribute to the development of Eurobasket and its sustainability on the scene of corporate basketball in Luxembourg.
Our club is involved in a fantastic adventure at the BASCOL level. Each year our teams represent with dignity our Institutions and offer exciting seasons, particularly rich in "emotions". The cohesion that exists today in the executive committee and the growing support of most of the club members are essential assets in its success. Each member of the club realised that everyone contributes to the success of tomorrow.
And me ... I am now, finally, a selfish member who just wants to play basketball! "

Alex Pelzl(President 2005-2009) :

"I took over the presidency of Eurobasket from Mario Pinto who served so many years not only as president, but also at the same time as secretary and treasurer. He was the soul and heart of Eurobasket for so many years. Without him the club would have never achieved its actual standing in the BASCOL league. He organized a second gym for training and kept excellent relations to the authorities; it was his initiative to create a second team participating in the championship; he engaged a very good coach in 2004. Positive developments included: the recruitment of Phil Thomason as coach, Raymond Apel and Stergious Kouparanis for scouting, improved relations to referees, a team composed of excellent players and friends. All this, together with a lot of good luck, culminated in the win of the championship in the season 2005/06 by Eurobasket A. It was the highlight of my presidency and of my career as a player for this team too.
Another main achievement during that period has been the integration of the new EU Member States. After some natural hesitation at the beginning and only "peaceful coexistence" (especially with the Lithuanian community in Luxemburg :-)), many players from new Member States joined the club and contributed in a considerable way to the success of Eurobasket. Today most of EU Member States are represented in the club: this is not only an incredible linguistic challenge for coaches during time-outs, but also an unbelievable enrichment for every individual on the court and outside during social events organized by the club. Europe at its best!
I'm happy that the club is now managed in an excellent way by Luca Martinelli, my team mate for so many years, whom I want to thank for the initiative to reanimate Mario's idea to create this web site, which is another step forward for Eurobasket.
I'm now free just to play basketball - if my body agrees!"