Maccabi seek triple
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByEurosport
Published 27/04/2006 at 15:32 GMT
Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv will look to become the first three-times winner of basketball's European Final Four in more than a decade when play tips off this weekend in Prague. The Israelis meet Spanish side Tau Ceramica Vitoria.
2005-2006 Euroleague Maccabi Tel Aviv-Olympiacos Anthony Parker
Image credit: Imago
Maccabi face a familiar foe in Friday's first semi-fibal against Spain's Tau Ceramica Vitoria, losing finalists in last year's championship game.
Croatia's Split are the only team to win three straight titles since the Final Four format was adopted in 1988.
Jugoplastika Split, led by a young Toni Kukoc, won in 1989 and 1990 before changing their name to Pop 84 Split and winning the title again in 1991.
"We are ready," said Maccabi coach Pini Gershon, who also guided the team to victory in 2001.
If Maccabi are ready, they have not shown it recently losing twice in Israeli league play before clinching the title. Gone from this year's team is Lithuanian point guard Sarunas Jasikevicius, who left for the Indian Pacers of the NBA.
But forward Sharon Shaon said the team is not worried about a couple of poor showings given it has had all season to adjust to the loss of Jasikevicius and that a veteran core led by Guard Derrick Sharp and center Nikola Vujcic remains.
"I think now, everything is different and the two games in a row we lost in the Israeli League will not matter," he said.
"Any Euroleague game, and especially important games like ... the ones coming up at the Final Four, that is money time. And at money time, Maccabi Tel Aviv is always going to do good."
In Friday's second semi-final, CSKA Moscow, another returning Final Four team, tip off against Spain's Barcelona.
Barcelona have had an uphill battle most of the season after a handful of new players were brought in to boost the team's chances of European success.
"Everyone had to adjust, and that was part of the experience, but now we're in the position we want to be in", said point guard Shammond Williams, who has had stints with the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, New Orleans Hornets and Orlando Magic.
The final will be played on Sunday.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement