Tartu Ülikool/Rock

Tartu Ülikool (University of Tartu) is an Estonian professional basketball club, based in Tartu, currently participating in the Korvpalli Meistriliiga, the Baltic Basketball League and the EuroChallenge. The basketball team belongs to The University of Tartu and plays their home games at the Tartu Ülikooli Spordihoone (Sports Hall of The University of Tartu).^[1] The UT is the most successful basketball club in Estonia with 22 national championships and 14 national cup wins. The club used to be known as Tartu Ülikool/Rock, but changed the name due to sponsorship reasons.

History

Soviet Union era

Rock is the oldest basketball team still playing in Estonia. Although the origins of the team are uncertain at this moment, it is a fact that Tartu University's basketball team entered the Estonian League right after World War II in the 1947/48 season.^[2] During the late 1940s and the 1950s the university's team was one of the dominants winning 8 domestic titles from 1948 to 1959. This period also includes the Soviet Union title in 1949.^[2] Notable players from that era were Ilmar Kullam, Heino Kruus and Jaak Lipso who all have won an Olympic medal and EuroBasket championship with the Soviet Union national basketball team.

During the 1960s teams from Tallinn dominated Estonian basketball and the Tartu team was unable to win any titles. A new rise started in the late 1960s with players like Anatoli Krikun (Olympic bronze 1968) and Aleksei Tammiste. Led by those two men the TRÜ team was virtually indomitable during the 1970s winning 7 domestic titles.

The 1980s were another low period for the Tartu team as there were not many good players in the team. The epicenter of Estonian basketball shifted back to Tallinn with teams like Tallinna Kalev and Harju KEK dominating the domestic league.

Independent Estonia

In the early 1990s after Estonia regained its independence Tartu struggled in the KML, but with the emerging of young talented players like Valmo Kriisa, Tarmo Kikerpill and Tanel Tein, Tartu fought its way back to the top of Estonian basketball winning the Estonian League in 2000.^[2] It was the team's first title since 1978. In the new millennium Tartu Rock has been at the very top of domestic basketball winning several league titles and cups. In addition to that the team has reached the Final Fours of FIBA EuroCup (in 2007–08) and Baltic Basketball League (in 2008–09). In 2010 Rock also won the Baltic Basketball League Cup becoming the first team besides BC Žalgiris and BC Lietuvos Rytas to win a Baltic League trophy.^[3]

2007–2008: EuroCup Final Four

On the 4th of March in the year 2008 Tartu Ülikool/Rock made Estonian club basketball history by beating PBC Ural Great with games 2–1 in the FIBA EuroCup and advancing to the semifinals.^[4] Tartu played in the same group with CSK VSS Samara, Lappeenrannan NMKY and PAOK BC winning five games and losing only one to Samara in Russia.^[5] After beating Ural Great, Tartu lost to Barons LMT in the semi-finals with the score 82–88.^[6] In the third-place game, Tartu was defeated by Proteas EKA AEL with the score 70–79.^[7]

2008–2009: Baltic League Final Four

In the 2008–09 season Rock also became the first Estonian basketball team to reach the Baltic League Final Four. Rock defeated Estonian arch rival BC Kalev/Cramo in the quarterfinals with games 2–1. The last game went to overtime and Tartu won by a lucky three-pointer from veteran player Tanoka Beard at the last second making the final score 71–68.^[8] This victory also ment that the Final Four would be held on the Tartu team's home court.^[9] In the semifinals Rock lost to BC Žalgiris with the score 83–74. In the third place game Rock defeated ASK Riga 77–68 and won the bronze medal.^[10][11] In the Estonian League finals Rock suffered a defeat from arch rivals BC Kalev/Cramo with the games 2–4 and won the silver medals.^[12]

Team name history

The University's basketball team has had several names in the history. The name changes were mostly due to sponsorship reasons. Here is the complete list.

Leagues recap

For a listing of previous seasons, see Tartu Ülikool/Rock basketball team seasons 1947-1991.

Trophies and awards

Trophies

• Estonian Championships: 22
  • 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010
• Estonian Cups: 14
  • 1950, 1952, 1956, 1958, 1974, 1976, 1979, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2011
• BBL Cup: 1
  • 2010
• Soviet Union Championship: 1
  • 1949

Individual awards

Players

Roster

Depth chart

Notable players

For a listing of past rosters, see Tartu Ülikool/Rock past rosters.

For a listing of past players, see Category:Tartu Ülikool/Rock players.

Head coaches

• 1946–1956 Edgar Naarits
• 1956–1983 Ernst Ehaveer
• 1983–1992 Arne Laos
• 1992–1997 Jüri Neissaar
• 1997–2000 Teet Laur
• 2000–2003 Jüri Neissaar
• 2003–2005 Tõnu Lust
• 2005–2006 Paavo Russak
• 2006–2007 Algirdas Brazys
• 2007–2008 Üllar Kerde
• 2008–0000 Indrek Visnapuu (started mid-season^[13])

References

External links

• Official website (Estonian)
• Tartu Rock at postimees.ee (Estonian)
• Tartu Ülikool at eurobasket.com
• Official KML website (Estonian)
• Official Baltic League website
• University of Tartu