CSKA Moscow and Maccabi Tel Aviv look for 6th Euroleague trophy
MADRID, Spain — After overcoming an 18-point deficit in Friday's semifinal, Maccabi Tel Aviv doesn't see anything stopping it from getting revenge on CSKA Moscow in the Euroleague basketball final.
The two teams both enter Sunday's game seeking a sixth title - putting it second only to Real Madrid's eight - but the Israeli club is also trying to make up for a thrilling 73-69 loss to CSKA two years ago that gave the Russian club its first crown in 35 years.
Maccabi captain Derrick Sharp said Friday's 92-85 comeback win over Montepaschi Siena - after trailing 36-18 in the first half - has made the team confident it will lift its third trophy since 2004.
"The key is to keep believing in yourself," the Israeli guard said. "Sometimes you just can't control what's going on. That's destiny, and I guess our destiny is to win."
CSKA is also trying to make up for a recent loss in the final, after falling to Greek club Panathinaikos on its home soil in Athens last year.
CSKA held off Spanish club Tau Ceramica 83-79 Friday and knows a stronger effort will be needed against its Israeli opponent.
"Right now, Maccabi has played the best basketball of the season," said CSKA guard Trajan Langdon, who had nine points in Friday's win. "We know they can score the ball, as they had 92 points in the semifinal, so we will have to put a lot of defensive effort."
Maccabi, which has won 47 of 53 domestic league titles since 1954, outscored the Italian club 70-25 off the bench, with Brazilian guard Alex Garcia leading the way with 19 points.
Maccabi also has a larger fan contingent in Madrid, which will be charged up after Friday's dramatic win.
"It's going to be a tough final ... Maccabi will have all their spectators. They are going to play like a home game," said CSKA forward Ramunas Siskauskas, who had a team-high 16 points Friday, including two clinching free throws.
Langdon said he was thrilled at the chance to make history in what many viewed as a destined final matchup.
"This is what makes it exciting: Both teams haven't seen each other all year," said Langdon, a former Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard. "We will try to play to our strength and it should be fun to play against them."
Tau Ceramica, which failed to reach the final for a fourth straight year, plays Montepaschi Siena in the third-place game on Sunday in the Spanish capital.
