Maccabi Tel Aviv toast of Europe
MACCABI Electra Tel Aviv have reached the pinnacle of European basketball for the sixth time in their storied history after winning the 2014 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Championship early Monday morning (Australian time).
MACCABI Electra Tel Aviv have reached the pinnacle of European basketball for the sixth time in their storied history after winning the 2014 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Championship early Monday morning (Australian time).
In the first Euroleague Championship game to require overtime in 45 years, Maccabi Tel Aviv bested Real Madrid 98-86 after the extra period, prompting mass yellow-and-blue celebrations throughout the streets of host-city Milan and back home in Israel.
Maccabi exceeded all expectations simply by progressing past the Euroleague group stages, but they reeled off several stunning upsets for an unlikely run to the final.
After hitting the game-winning layup for Maccabi in the semifinal game against European heavyweight CSKA Moscow, American import Tyrese Rice was named the MVP for the 2014 Euro Final Four.
Rice scored a game-high 26 points, in an effort that included eight consecutive points during overtime to confirm the victory for the Israeli champs.
Besides Rice’s heroics, Alex Tyus collected 12 points and 11 rebounds, Ricky Hickman had 18 points and David Blu, who won his second Euroleague title for Maccabi after the 2004 triumph, chipped in with 14.
Australia’s Joe Ingles also featured for Maccabi, but his output was limited in the final having only recently returned from injury.
The 2014 playoff will undeniably go down as an instant classic, with 19 lead changes and seven ties.
Tel Aviv coach David Blatt shook off Maccabi’s last three finals defeats (2006, 2008, 2011) to win his first ever Euroleague title.
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Photo: Amir Levy/Flash90
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