One of the signature sports clubs in Ankara, the Turkish capital, Turk Telekom has also become a standard-bearer in Europe for its country’s great level of basketball.The club was founded in 1954, backed by the national telephone company PTT, though its basketball section did not open until 1980.A five-game losing streak, however, prevented the team from advancing to the Final Eight. Telekom lifted the Turkish President’s Cup trophy early in the season but was swept by Fenerbahce Ulker in the Turkish League semifinals. Always ready to compete, Telekom hopes to go at least one step higher in its fourth Eurocup appearance.When the subject is great teams in the cradle of European basketball, the name of Red Star Belgrade is always part of the conversation. As one of the most-crowned teams in the former Yugoslavia, Crvena Zvezda – Red Star in Serbian – has always commanded attention wherever it plays.The team also reached the Serbian League and Serbian Cup semifinals. With a deep pool of talent to draw from and a history of greatness on its side, Red Star is always ready to compete and will again strive to win trophies next season.