Since the 1981/82 season, Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv have not managed to beat Panathinaikos in Athens and taking into account the games played there in the last few seasons, there were doubts that it can happen this time.

And when Arriel McDonald and co led 9-2 at the start of the game, it looked even worse. But by the end of the first quarter, Maccabi were just one point behind (14-15). Beno Udrih gave Maccabi its first lead and the Yellow & Blues raced to a 37-23 lead and at the half 41-31.

Both teams were nervous in a dull third period (12-11 for the Greeks). The Euroleague Champions had their bes moments in the fist half of the final quarter and cut the lead to 58-55. But led by Vujcic,Maccabi ran 10-0, took a 68-55 lead with thefinal score 77-64.

It was a great win for coach David Blatt over Europe’s number one coach Zelimir Obradovic. Maccabi’s defnse was at its best and they also dominated the rebound 41-28. An excellent game for Nikola Vujcic with 19 pts & 9 rbds> Arriel McDonald was the top home player but his young replacement in Maccabi’s number 14 vest Beno Udrih, came out the winner.

TAU Vitoria remained the only unbeaten team in Group B with a 90-85 win over Montepaschi Siena, Scola scored 31 pts & Nocioni had 24 pts & 19 rbds for TAU. A second home loss to Unicaja Malaga 77-78 to Zalgiris Kaunas. Union Olimpia beat Buducnost 83-71 in Ljubljana.