KML Is On Fire! Here Are 5 Reasons Why.
Just as we are writing this story, we are on the verge of Game 5 between BC Kalev Cramo and Pärnu Sadam. The two sides that have had the most interesting duels this season. When they face each other, the arena will lit up, fans are overhyped, there’s this fuzz that you usually see in the European big basketball derbies.
Last week we saw Tartu Ülikool Maks&Moorits competing with TalTech Optibet. No one could say that Tartu walked through the semi-finals. In the first game between the two, first two quarters belonged to Tartu but not too clearly as the difference remained 5 to 10 points. Third quarter was unlucky for TalTech as they made some easy mistakes in defence. Yet, in the fourth quarter they were on the verge of comeback (they won it 26:18). Total score of 75:67 to Tartu. Other two games had the same rhythm. We remember from the previous seasons how there were clearly stronger sides in the league, now the level in KML is more equal.
5. Kalev Cramo isn’t the Kalev Cramo that we saw winning Moscow CSKA in VTB
BC Kalev Cramo is like Žalgiris in Estonian basketball. They have the biggest budget, the most players in national team, the best foreign players of the league etc. Kalev Cramo is like a big brother in local basketball that everyone likes, even those basketball fans that doesn’t want to seem glory hunters by supporting the strongest club.
This year everything has changed. What exactly? Cramo started the season by announcing to participate in four leagues — VTB, Champions League, Paf Estonian-Latvian league, KML league. That’s a lot whilst adding fifth, Estonian Cup to the row. VTB has been important for them for almost the last 10 years. The likes of Moscow CSKA, Zenit, Unics and Lokomotiv Kuban were the sides that were hard to play against and therefore were thrilling for the club as well as for Estonian basketball fans. Participating in VTB was financially harsh, hats off to BC Kalev Cramo owners for their contribution!
This year things didn’t go as planned. The team wasn’t convincing and it felt like they are missing some pieces from their puzzle. Nor did help the injurys of key players on important periods that even made the king, Kristjan Kangur, come back from retirement. The only positive period from Kalev Cramo’s season was reaching to the Champions League group stage. It was historic achievement in Estonian basketball and the club totally deserved it. Few unlucky games in the group stages ended the European journey quite quickly. The troubles with VTB league and Russian invasion to Ukraine made things even more complicated. Winning the Paf Estonian-Latvian league in 2021, every basketball fan believed they will be competing with Riga VEF in the final. No, not this year. Pärnu Sadam clearly knocked Kalev Cramo out in quarter finals. Estonian basketball legends Andres Sõber, Heino Enden and the legendary commentator Kalev Kruus stated in Betsafe podcast that Cramo is in crisis.
Now, we are on the verge of Game 5 in the KML and it seems like Pärnu wants to qualify more. Cramo took two straight wins in the first two games and it seemed like a revenge for the Paf Estonian-Latvian knock out. Yet, Pärnu showed team spirit and believed that nothing is impossible. After the third game, that they won, it felt like Cramo is devastated. Something isn’t right with them but like it or not, it’s good for the Estonian basketball. Games have unexpected outcomes, every team can win anyone they face. National team coaches have sleepless nights ahead to decide who’s making it to the national team in September when we’ll play at Eurobasket in Italy.
4. Tartu has raised from the dust like a phoenix!
With legendary Tiit Sokk and Janar Talts, energetic Nikolajs Mazurs and experienced Olari Narits on their bench, Tartu has been in a great flow. It’s fair to say that Tartu Ülikool Maks&Moorits didn’t start the season very well. After one night, that one warm night in December last year, everything changed.
Estonian Cup final. Kalev Cramo as the clear favourites for the titel. Point-to-point game. Third quarter. Tartu changing the defence from man-man to zonal. Kalev couldn’t adapt. Rosenthal playing the game of his career. Like Kobe. Step backs, fast brakes, 3 pointers. Every throw finds the net. Fans are on their feet. Cheering out loud. Final siren… Tartu won 82:73!
On that night, Märt Rosenthal gave an interview and said that he truly hopes that they will go and play every next game with the same emotion. Long story short, they did. It was amazing to see Tartu against Viimsi in KML quarter finals. Their team is united, their staff is smart, their fans are highly supportive. That’s what we have been missing from Tartu. Once a big basketball city in Estonia, now back where it belongs. To the KML final!
3. Viimsi as an example for the community based clubs
KK Viimsi Sportland just raised to the KML this season. With the privilege and opportunity to play in Paf Estonian-Latvian league, their community merged for one purpose — take the maximum out of the resources they had for the season. Viimsi’s home games had the right atmosphere, it seemed like the team belongs to the community. Forus Spordihoone was always almost full, they played great basketball, the club offered many entertainment activities for the crowd etc.
Reaching to the Paf Estonian-Latvian Final Four was a huge achievement for the club. In the semi-finals they had to face Pärnu Sadam and won it with the last second three pointer from Devon Harris. Harris is a great example to take now. His season wasn’t stabile. He had some good games but bad games followed, like an American roller coaster. Yet, when the club needed him the most, he was the one taking the responsibility. This is something that we don’t see very often. A foreign player playing in Estonia and contributing that passionately into his club. A true leader.
The final in Paf Estonian-Latvian league wasn’t anything exciting for the basketball fans. VEF took an easy win and walked out of Arena Riga, holding the champion title over their heads. Nevertheless, Viimsi had to be proud. Second place in Paf league is a great achievement in the debut season. Still, the season wasn’t over.
With KML league games kicking off right after Paf league ended, Viimsi had to face Tartu. Yes, this Tartu that just raised from the dust. Quarter finals were thrilling and it seemed like Viimsi will go to the semis thanks to the support from fans and some players outperforming. We now know that it didn’t go like this. Winning the first game at home wasn’t enough. Tartu won the series 3:1 and now is looking towards the final.
Viimsi undoubtedly had a great season but they proved that KML can be tricky.
2. Rapla, once titled as the basketball city of Estonia
Every local basketball fan remembers Rapla’s games few seasons ago. The whole city was behind the club. Literally. On game days the city was decorated to club colours and had flags around the city. Fans were amazing with arena always packed. Their 2016/17 season ended with silver medals in KML. It’s the highest position in the club’s history but they have finished on bronze for three times. What happened?
It’s fair to say that the last three seasons Rapla has underperformed. The team consists of brothers, Sven Kaldre and Tom Kaldre, great addition from national team member Martin Paasoja, adding the foreignerers Wiggins and Tucker Jr. Team looks great on the paper but something isn’t right. Maybe the reason for that is too strong difference between the starting lineup and substitute players? Most of the game time is divided between foreign players and a few experienced Estonian players. Others are homegrown players from Rapla’s youth system. Maybe the reason relies somewhere else? Maybe they are as strong as they were before but Pärnu, Viimsi, Tartu and TalTech have found something extra?
1. Importance of Paf Estonian-Latvian league for KML
It wasn’t long time ago when Estonian Basketball Association had an agreement with Latvian Basketball Association to make a new league and have Estonian and Latvian basketball clubs competing with each other. Now, with all the clubs participating, the games are thrilling as the level of Estonian and Latvian basketball is quite even. Ending this season with two clubs from Estonia and two clubs from Latvia reaching to the Final Four was a great example of that.
Playing against stronger or as good teams as yours, needs an effort that wasn’t needed before. Starting from the first week, clubs are taking Paf league seriously as their main focus for the season goes there. They face different styles, different players, different arenas etc. It all means development of the players, of the clubs. Now, ending the season with KML decisive games, to crown the Estonian champion, is something every player and basketball fan enjoys.
Estonian basketball in in a great phase. Our national team is young, passionate and performing well. Our two highest local basketball leagues have week in week out competitive games. Let’s get ready for today’s Game 5 between Kalev Cramo and Pärnu! KML is more thrilling than ever. KML is on fire!
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