BC Kalev

BC Kalev, known as BC Kalev/Cramo for sponsorship reasons, is a professional basketball club based in Tallinn, Estonia. The team plays in the Korvpalli Meistriliiga, the Estonian-Latvian Basketball League and the VTB United League. They play their home games at the Kalev Sports Hall and the Saku Suurhall.

Kalev/Cramo
LeaguesKorvpalli Meistriliiga
Estonian-Latvian Basketball League
VTB United League
Founded1998 (1998)
HistoryCanon ENM
(1998–1999)
Ehitustööriist
(1999–2005)
BC Kalev/Cramo
(2005–present)
ArenaKalev Sports Hall
Capacity1,700[1]
LocationTallinn, Estonia
Team colorsBlue, White
         
PresidentToomas Linamäe
Head coachRoberts Štelmahers
Championships11 Estonian Championships
6 Estonian Cups
Websitebckalev.ee

Kalev/Cramo have won 11 Estonian Championships and 6 Estonian Cups.

History

Early years (1998–2005)

Founded in 1998, the club started out as Canon ENM. Coached by Allan Dorbek the team joined top-tier Korvpalli Meistriliiga (KML) for the 1998–99 season. The club's first season was a disappointment, as the team finished in last place without winning a single game. In 1999, the team was renamed Ehitustööriist. The team's results improved slowly as Ehitustööriist finished the league in 7th place for four consecutive seasons. In 2003, the club merged with Audentes and became Ehitustööriist/Audentes, while the former Estonia national team coach Maarten van Gent was hired as head coach. The team finished the 2003–04 season in 5th place. After the season, Ehitustööriist/Audentes dissolved and both clubs continued separately.[2]

In 2004, Ehitustööriist moved to the new 7,200-seat Saku Suurhall. The team finished the 2004–05 regular season with a 12–4 record and dominant in the playoffs. In the finals, they faced University of Tartu. Ehitustööriist won the series and the team's first Estonian Championship 4 games to 3. Howard Frier was named Most Valuable Player of the season.[2] The team also competed in the regional Baltic Basketball League for the first time, finishing in 7th place with an 8–10 record.

BC Kalev/Cramo (2005–present)

Coming off their first Estonian Championship, Ehitustööriist leased the trademark "Kalev" from AS Kalev and became BC Kalev/Cramo.[2][3] Allan Dorbek was replaced as head coach by former Estonia national team shooting guard Aivar Kuusmaa for the 2005–06 season. On 2 October 2005, the team won their first Estonian Cup, defeating University of Tartu 70–64 in the final. Kalev/Cramo also made their debut in Europe, entering the 2005–06 season of the FIBA EuroCup but failed to advance past the group stage with just one victory in 6 games.[4] In the KML, Kalev/Cramo finished the regular season in first place with a 21–3 record and reached the finals in the playoffs. The team defended their title, defeating University of Tartu 4 games to 3, winning the deciding seventh game 69–68. James Williams was named Finals MVP and Kuusmaa won the Coach of the Year award. Despite that, Kuusmaa was replaced by Veselin Matić for the 2006–07 season.

Valmo Kriisa (left), and Kristjan Kangur (right) have both been named Estonian Player of the Year while playing for Kalev.

The team won their second Estonian Cup in 2006, but was unable to defend the title. Kalev/Cramo reached the finals but lost the series 2–4 to University of Tartu. Despite losing in the finals, Valmo Kriisa won the Estonian Player of the Year award, while Travis Reed was named KML and BBL MVP and Matić won the Coach of the Year award.[2] Kalev/Cramo saw limited success in Europe, reaching the second round in the 2006–07 FIBA EuroCup and competing in the European second tier 2007–08 ULEB Cup, but a record of 3–7 wasn't enough to advance past the group stage. The team won another Estonian Cup in 2007 and reached the finals in the 2007–08 season, but were swept by University of Tartu.

In 2008, Nenad Vučinić replaced Matić as head coach. Kalev/Cramo won their fourth consecutive Estonian Cup in 2008. The team finished the 2008–09 regular season in second place. In the semi-finals, Kalev/Cramo easily dispatched TTÜ in three games to reach the finals. In the finals, the team defeated University of Tartu 4 games to 2 and captured their third title. Forward Kristjan Kangur was named Finals MVP and the Estonian Player of the Year. In 2009, the team joined the newly established VTB United League.[2] In December 2009, Vučinić left Kalev/Cramo. The team struggled in the 2009–10 season and finished the regular season in fourth place with a 19–9 record under the former assistant coach Alar Varrak. The team lost in the semi-finals to University of Tartu but won the bronze medals in the third place games, winning the series in two games against TTÜ.

Gregor Arbet was named to the All-KML Team a record 5 times, 4 while playing for Kalev.

In July 2010, Aivar Kuusmaa returned to Kalev/Cramo. Led by Gregor Arbet and Armands Šķēle, the team finished the 2010–11 regular season in first place. In the playoffs, Kalev/Cramo swept Rakvere Tarvas in the semi-finals 3–0 and University of Tartu in the finals 4–0. Šķēle was named Finals MVP and Kuusmaa won his second Coach of the Year award. Kalev/Cramo defended their title in the 2011–12 season, defeating Tartu Ülikool in the finals in a four-game sweep. Tanel Sokk was named Finals MVP and Kuusmaa once again won the Coach of the Year award.[2]

Kalev/Cramo struggled early in the 2012–13 season and after a 69–95 defeat to Rakvere Tarvas on 22 November 2012, Kuusmaa was sacked, with assistant coach Alar Varrak taking over the coaching reins.[5] Despite the poor start, Kalev/Cramo finished the regular season in first place and swept the playoffs. Kalev/Cramo won their 6th Estonian Championship as Tanel Sokk claimed his second straight Finals MVP award. Alar Varrak was named Coach of the Year. The team also placed third in the 2012–13 Baltic Basketball League. With star players Gregor Arbet and Frank Elegar and the additions of Vlad Moldoveanu and Rain Veideman, the team's success continued in the 2013–14 season. Kalev/Cramo once again finished the regular season in first place and was undefeated in the playoffs. Kalev/Cramo won their fourth consecutive Estonian Championship, while Moldoveanu was named Finals MVP and Varrak won his second Coach of the Year award. The team finished the 2014–15 regular season in second place. Kalev/Cramo swept TTÜ in the quarter-finals and Rapla in the semi-finals. In the finals, Kalev/Cramo once again faced University of Tartu, but lost the series 1–4. On 20 December 2015, Kalev/Cramo won their fifth Estonian Cup, defeating University of Tartu 73–55 in the final. Kalev/Cramo finished the 2015–16 season regular season in first place and undefeated. The team extended their winning streak in the quarter- and semi-finals. In the finals, the team faced University of Tartu and won the series 4 games to 1, the single loss being the team's only defeat in the season. Rolands Freimanis was named Finals MVP.[6][7] Kalev/Cramo defended their title in the 2016–17 season, facing Rapla in the finals and winning the series 4 games to 0. Branko Mirković was named Finals MVP. In November 2017, Varrak was sacked and replaced by Donaldas Kairys. The team won their third consecutive league title in the 2017–18 season, defeating University of Tartu in the finals 4 games to 0. Kristjan Kangur, who returned to the club for the season, was named Finals MVP. In the 2018–19 season, Kalev/Cramo finished the inaugural Estonian-Latvian Basketball League in third place and won their fourth consecutive KML title.

Sponsorship naming

The team has had several denominations through the years due to its sponsorship. In 2005, the team leased the trademark "Kalev" from AS Kalev and became BC Kalev/Cramo.[2]

  • Canon ENM: 1998–1999
  • Ehitustööriist: 1999–2001
  • Ehitustööriist/Kalev: 2001–2003
  • Ehitustööriist/Audentes: 2003–2004
  • Ehitustööriist: 2004–2005
  • BC Kalev/Cramo: 2005–present

Logos
  • BC Kalev (2005–2016)
  • BC Kalev/Cramo (2016–present)
  • BC Kalev/Cramo (alternative logo)

Home arenas
Saku Suurhall
  • Kalev Sports Hall: (1998–2002, 2017–present)
  • Valtu Sports Hall: (2002–2003)
  • Audentes Sports Center: (2003–2004)
  • Saku Suurhall: (2004–present)

Players

Current roster

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.

Kalev/Cramo roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHt.Wt.Age
PG 5 Sokk, Sten 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) 84 kg (185 lb) 31 – (1989-02-14)14 February 1989
SF 8 Kurbas, Tanel 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) 90 kg (198 lb) 32 – (1988-05-08)8 May 1988
PF 13 Hermet, Kregor 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in) 98 kg (216 lb) 23 – (1997-06-09)9 June 1997
PF 14 Kangur, Kristjan (C) 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in) 103 kg (227 lb) 37 – (1982-10-23)23 October 1982
C 20 Nurger, Rauno 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) 105 kg (231 lb) 26 – (1993-11-24)24 November 1993
SG 22 Dorbek, Martin 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) 85 kg (187 lb) 29 – (1991-01-21)21 January 1991
PG 24 Sunelik, Indrek 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 84 kg (185 lb) 20 – (2000-02-09)9 February 2000
PF 33 Kitsing, Kristjan 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) 102 kg (225 lb) 29 – (1990-12-11)11 December 1990
SG 40 Paasoja, Martin 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) 83 kg (183 lb) 27 – (1993-01-04)4 January 1993
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Physiotherapist(s)
  • Priit Lehismets
  • Harvis Mill
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Injured
Updated: 14 August 2020

Depth Chart
Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Bench 2
C Rauno Nurger Kregor Hermet
PF Kristjan Kitsing Kristjan Kangur
SF Tanel Kurbas
SG Martin Paasoja
PG Sten Sokk Martin Dorbek Indrek Sunelik

Coaches

Season by season
Season Tier Division Pos. W–L Estonian Cup Baltic competitions VTB United League European competitions
1998–99 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga 6th 1–29
1999–00 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga 7th 2–28
2000–01 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga 7th 10–25
2001–02 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga 7th 4–30
2002–03 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga 7th 10–20 Quarter-finalist
2003–04 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga 5th 14–20 Semi-finalist
2004–05 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga 1st 23–7 Quarter-finalist Baltic Basketball League7th8–10
2005–06 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga 1st 28–6 Champion Baltic Basketball League9th15–17 3 EuroCupRS1–5
2006–07 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga 2nd 23–8 Champion Baltic Basketball LeagueQF17–13 3 EuroCupT162–8
2007–08 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga 2nd 22–7 Champion Baltic Basketball LeagueQF8–14 2 ULEB CupRS3–7
2008–09 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga 1st 24–7 Champion Baltic Basketball LeagueQF13–8 3 EuroChallengeRS2–4
2009–10 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga 3rd 22–10 Runner-up Baltic Basketball League7th7–11 VTB United LeagueRS0–6
2010–11 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga 1st 36–3 Third place Baltic Basketball League9th12–10 VTB United LeagueRS1–9
2011–12 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga 1st 24–4 Runner-up Baltic Basketball LeagueQF13–10 VTB United LeagueRS2–14
2012–13 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga 1st 24–2 Third place Baltic Basketball League3rd14–6 VTB United LeagueRS3–15
2013–14 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga 1st 32–3 Runner-up VTB United LeagueRS2–16 2 EurocupRS3–7
2014–15 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga 2nd 20–7 Third place Baltic Basketball LeagueT168–4 VTB United League9th13–17
2015–16 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga 1st 28–1 Champion VTB United League14th8–22 3 Europe CupRS0–6
2016–17 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga 1st 26–2 Champion Baltic Basketball League4th5–3 VTB United League11th5–19
2017–18 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga 1st 32–1 VTB United League12th6–18 3 Champions LeagueQR22–2
2018–19 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga 1st 6–0 Estonian-Latvian Basketball League3rd28–4 VTB United LeagueQF14–15
2019–20 1Korvpalli Meistriliiga Estonian-Latvian Basketball LeagueCNX [lower-alpha 1]20–3 VTB United LeagueCNX [lower-alpha 1]8–12
  1. Season cancelled in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trophies and awards

Trophies

Estonian Championship

Estonian Cup

  • Winners (6): 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2015, 2016
  • Runners-up (3): 2009, 2011, 2013

Latvian-Estonian League

  • Third place (1): 2019

Individual awards
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References
  1. "Kalevi Spordihall". Spordiregister.ee.
  2. "Klubist" (in Estonian). BC Kalev.
  3. "Kalev on surnud? Elagu Kalev!". Eesti Ekspress (in Estonian). 30 June 2005.
  4. "BC Kalev trash PAOK for first victory". FIBA Europe. 29 November 2005.
  5. "AMETLIK: Kalev/Cramo lõpetas Kuusmaaga koostöö, peatreenerina jätkab Varrak" (in Estonian). Delfi Sport. 24 November 2012.
  6. "Kalev/Cramo kindlustas meistritiitli koguni 27-punktise võiduga!" (in Estonian). Delfi Sport. 27 May 2016.
  7. "Kalev/Cramo purustas Tartu Rocki ja tuli Eesti meistriks" (in Estonian). Postimees Sport. 27 May 2016.
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