Clube Portugal Telecom

Clube Portugal Telecom, commonly known as Portugal Telecom, was a basketball team based in Lisbon, Portugal. The club was founded in 1996 and was owned by Portugal Telecom, the largest telecommunications service provider in the country. The team won three consecutive league titles between 2000 and 2003, but was dissolved by the company before the start of the 2003–04 season, citing financial reasons.[1]

Portugal Telecom
LeaguesLPB
Founded1996
Dissolved2003
LocationLisbon, Portugal
Team colorsBlue, White, Orange
     
OwnershipPortugal Telecom
Championships3 National leagues
2 National cups
1 National supercup

History

The basketball team was established in 1996.[1] The club played in the country's top flight league since its inception.[2] In their second season, the team reached the Portuguese Basketball League Cup (Taça da Liga) finals, were they lost to Esgueira. In 1997–98 the club debuted at international level[3] and took part in the 1997–98 FIBA EuroCup, finishing 5th out of 6 teams in their group. In the 2000–01 season the team finished the regular season as the best team with a 18–8 record; they reached the finals were they defeated Oliveirense.[4] The team could count on American imports Jason Forrestal, Doug Muse, Marcus Norris and Ron Hale.[2] At international level, Portugual Telecom participated in the 2000–01 FIBA Korać Cup, where they qualified for the Round of 32, where they were elimated as they finished 3rd out of 4 teams in their group.[5]

In the 2001–02 season the repeated as league champions: after finishing the regular season as the top ranked team with a 24–5 record, the team won the finals for the second consecutive season.[6] After being eliminated in the qualifying round of the 2001–02 Euroleague by Spirou Charleroi, Portugal Telecom took part in the 2001–02 FIBA Saporta Cup, where they ended 5th out of 6 teams in the Group A of the regular season phase.[7]

The 2002–03 was the last one for the team. This team they ranked third in the regular season,[8] qualifying for the playoffs, where they ultimately defeated Ovarense in the final series.[1] The team also participated in the 2002–03 FIBA Europe Champions Cup, where they were eliminated during the Regional Qualifying Round finishing 4th out of 6 in the Conference West. Portugal Telecom, which owned the club, disbanded the team after the 2002–03 season.[1]

Trophies
2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03
2000–01, 2001–02
2003

Notable players

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

References
  1. "PT acaba com equipas profissionais de basquetebol". publico.pt (in Portuguese). May 28, 2003. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  2. "Primeiro título da Portugal Telecom". record.pt (in Portuguese). May 13, 2001. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  3. "PORTUGAL". linguasport.com. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  4. "LPB Season 2000-2001". eurobasket.com. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  5. "Korac Cup 2000-01". linguasport.com. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  6. "LPB Season 2001-2002". eurobasket.com. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  7. "Saporta Cup 2001-02". linguasport.com. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  8. "LPB Season 2002-2003". eurobasket.com. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
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