BallinEurope, the European Basketball news site

If anyone ever doubted the athleticism and talent of high-level cheerleading squads, the video below will change your mind. Check out CSKA Moscow studs Andrei Kirilenko, Viktor Khryapa, Alexei Shved, Nenad Krstic and Jamont Gordon attempting to learn a few of the Red Foxes’ simpler moves with little success.

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For those of you with Facebook accounts, drop everything you’re doing immediately (or perhaps after you get to the end of this post) and check out the Baltic Basketball League page for what could well be the coolest-ever number performed by a basketball dance team.

Therein, the Lietuvos Rytas ladies are not only wearing some sharp Harley Quinn-looking red and black outfits, but also show some skills in incorporating the roundball into the routine. As this video was shot during a practice session, a few kinks sneak into the choreography, but with a tad more work this could well be the best reason to pull for the Lithuanian side to make the Euroleague Top 16…

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One of BallinEurope’s unabashedly favorite aspects of Euroleague basketball? The CSKA Moscow Dance Team, of course! And those hard-working ladies of the Red Army have been rewarded for their efforts once again with the designation of “official Euroleague Final Four Cheerleaders,” as chosen by the folks at Efes Pilsener (one of the perks of official Euroleague sponsorship, one supposes).

This marks the second time CSKA has been chosen for the honor, the first coming in 2005.

As though we needed any more wonderfulness out of the Russian squad, CSKA Dance Team leader Anna Burkina promises that “We will prepare eight new dances with new music, movements and costumes. I hope the fans will like it.”

Hey, BiE is sold already. And yes, video clips after the break.

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See you at the Unicaja game!

Could Pionir Arena become known not only as one of the Euroleague’s top venues, but also a top spot in Europe for single ladies to scope out lads?

Seriously. So declares one Ona Mona, penner of the “Sex i Grad” column for website Balkan Insight (a page you can bet BallinEurope has bookmarked). Ms. Mona has her finger on the, ahem, pulse of Belgrade’s singles scene in her writing engaging columns in Carrie Bradshaw fashion. Her latest target is none other than Pionir.

Having previously decided that Belgrade boys were generally buff ‘n’ bitchin’, Ona this week proclaims that “If you’re a gambling woman, trying your luck in love, then the sports arena is the place to be.”

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The players and coaches aren’t the only ones prepping for upcoming 2009-10 seasons across Europe; hundreds of cheerleading teams are also putting final touches on routines and getting into shape for opening day.

As unabashed admirers of the glamorous ladies of the CSKA Moscow dance team, BallinEurope thought it might be a good idea to briefly chat with one of the Red Army’s prettier side – ‘cuz, you know, we’re professionals with a website here…

Former world-class rhythmic gymnast for Russia, team captain and six-year CSKA Moscow veteran Anna Burkina, took ten minutes of out her preseason schedule to talk with BallinEurope about training, the team’s greatest aspiration, and her own sort of devotion. And oh yes, lots of pictures are included.

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Another week, another ten zillion basketball stories posted to the interweb. Some of our favorite stories from online this week? Glad you asked.

Be sure to check out the following in your spare time; some good reads were published in the midst of the dog days of summer.

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Say what you want about Euroleague.net, but somebody over there has good ideas about filling a lull in the seasonal schedule. Currently running at the website is the “Euroleague Video Faceoff” tournament featuring video submissions from the teams’ cheerleading squads, and with winners determined by popular vote. The following are one man’s choices for the quarterfinal round, shaped by hours of research, i.e. watching the videos again and again.

And again.

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Before leaving for a well-deserved holiday, I selected some of the most interesting stories of the last weekend for you, leaving you in good hands before coming back.

• Taquan Dean hits 8 of 8 from behind the arc.
• Men are really that easy to manipulate. Do you know Milica Dabovic, the Serbian point guard on Fenerbahce Istanbul? I didn’t, but since her pictures in FHM, she has become a star on the European blogosphere.
• Are you younger than 18 and want to practice with Trevor Ariza in Berlin? Check out this website.
• TAU Ceramica wins it at the buzzer.
• The weekly Brandon Jennings watch: 27 minutes and 14 points in a win over GMAC Bologna.
• Who’s the worst FT shooter in the top European leagues? Jason Boone from Göttingen is one candidate, with a candid 9-of-32, or 28%, after 17 game.
• France won the World Championship by beating Croatia in the final this Sunday. Tony Parker received the MVP trophy … oh sorry, French fans, I was only talking about handball.
• Gordan Giricek told French media that in the NBA he was just a number. In the Euroleague, you have been just one line until now Gordan. Ok, that was mean.

Remember that story, when bra-maker UNNO, the Euroleague and the Dreamcheers teamed up to send somebody to the Euroleague final four and not only watch the games but also dance with them?

Unfortunately I did not see that during half time, but Eva from Dreamcheers sent me the video:

Don’t you think the Euroleague should have chosen some college kids from the US to do that? Nothing against the two winners, but some drunk college guys would have been more fun to see jumping around with the girls.

Speaking of the Dreamcheers, one day in my life I felt a little bit like Jason from SPORTSByBROOKS – hanging out with hot chicks and taking pictures: [singlepic=154,320,240,,center]

I am sure though you rather see the girls without me ..

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