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Maccabi Elite team profile
Maccabi Elite Tel AvivThe history books of European basketball will always have a unique place for the 2004-05 edition of Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv, the first team in 14 years to win back-to-back Euroleague titles. History cannot record, however, that very few teams anywhere have won with such flair as Maccabi. It had always been the law that defense won titles. But there's a new law on the books now, and Maccabi continues writing it. A winning tradition at home – which included another Israeli League title in 2006-07 – has always meant confidence on the international scene as well for Maccabi. The club has now won 47 of a possible 53 domestic league titles since 1954, in addition to 36 Israeli Cup trophies. In Europe, Maccabi has won five European club titles and finished second six other times. Its first European crown, in 1977, put Maccabi on the basketball map to stay. Its second, in 1981, was all the extra proof anyone needed. A formula of complementing the best Israeli players with the most select players from abroad keeps working for Maccabi. Players like Micky Berkowitz, Moti Aeroesti, Kevin Magee, Doron Jamchi, Earl Williams, Aulcie Perry and Tal Brody belong to the very elite of all-time European basketball greats. A Suproleague title in 2001, Maccabi's first in 20 years, broke a string of continental title-game appearances that ended without trophies. For the next continental title, Maccabi fans didn’t have to wait long. It came in 2003-04, to top off a season to remember for all Maccabi fans.
2006-07 RESULTS
Euroleague
R. Season
8-6
Top 16
4-2
Quarters
1-2
Lithuanian League
R. Season
25-2
Playoffs
Champion
Derrick Sharp's miracle three-pointer to survive the Top 16 that year has become one of the classic shots in European basketball history. Once in the 2004 Final Four, Maccabi turned to record breaking with a 118-point title-game performance that had to be seen to be believed. And after a 2004-05 title repeat nearly as commanding, everyone believed. The starting lineup of Sarunas Jasikevicius, Anthony Parker, Tal Burstein, Maceo Baston and Nikola Vujcic made Maccabi one of the best teams ever seen in Europe, orchestrated by coach Pini Gershon. Maccabi returned to the Euroleague title game in 2006, but CSKA Moscow stopped the Israeli powerhouse from a three-peat. The team went on to win both the Israeli League and Cup titles. Maccabi is coming off its hardest season in recent history – even though it was still only one game from the Final Four – but still managed to lift the Israeli League trophy in dramatic fashion. With former playing great Oded Kattash in charge on the sidelines, Maccabi is once again positioned as one of the giants in Europe. Aiming for the top is nothing new for the Israeli club: Maccabi never settles for less.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Euroleague.net
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