CRO - Croatia's Nicevic stands tall for Benetton in EuroCup opener

ISTANBUL (EuroCup) - Sandro Nicevic played an important role for Croatia this summer as they clinched a place at the Beijing Games via the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Now the sweet-shooting forward is having a prominent role with Benetton Treviso as the Italian giants go for glory in Italy and the EuroCup.

Nicevic was the Week 1 MVP of the EuroCup after leading Benetton to a 77-72 win in Group C at Besiktas Cola Turka on Tuesday.

He had 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists while on defense he tormented his former club by coming up with three steals and swatting two shots.

His index rating of 35 proved to be the highest among more than 300 players who saw action in the first round of games.

GROUP A
Zadar v Maroussi Costa Coffee 87-79
Chorale Roanne v ASK Riga 79-75

GROUP B
Lukoil Academic v Unics Kazan 79-80
Barons/LMT Riga v Dynamo Moscow 61-80

GROUP C
Khimki Moscow v STB Le Havre 79-55
Besiktas Cola Turka v Benetton 72-77

GROUP D
Panellinios BC v Aris BSA 69-71
Bnei Hasharon v Turk Telekom 54-76

GROUP E
Lietuvos Rytas v Asvel Basket 95-74
Azovmash v Kalise Gran Canaria 92-90

GROUP F
Brose Baskets v PGE Turow 39-69
Spirou Basket v BC Red Star 71-65

GROUP G
Artland Dragons v Fortitudo Bologna 87-78
Pamesa Valencia v BC FMP 83-58

GROUP H
CEZ Nymburk v KK Buducnost 75-70
iurbentia Bilbao v Hemofarm 78-67

FIBA