When Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv led 78-70 in Vitoria, with 3:30 minutes to go, it looked like they will repeat their win over TAU Ceramica six months earlier. But then came a series of mistakes and turnovers, thus enabling Dusko Ivanovic team to run a 15-01 and win 85-79, Maccabi’s first loss of the season in all competitions.

Maccabi led 33-23 at the end of the first quarter, increased it to 42-29 and at half time held a 46-42 lead. In the third quarter the Yellow & Blues raced to a 57-46 lead but the hosts cut it to 63-60. Maccabi led until 58 seconds from time when Mottola made it 79-78 for TAU and they kept the lead until the final whistle. Maccabi had a big advantage in FG shooting (59% to 40%) but TAU won because of their dominance of the rebound: 39 (including 19 OR) to 26. Beno Udrih, who carried an ankle injury, played for 32 minutes. Nikola Vujcic was Maccabi’s top player with 21 pts, 7 rbds & 3 stls. But the game’s MVP was Hanno Mottola with 31 pts, 7 rbds & 4 stls which made him Euroleague’s player of the week.

Olimpija Ljubljana caused the surprise of day one by winning 77-70 in Malaga vs Unicaja. A bright start for newcomer to the Euroleague, Montepaschi Siena, with a 81-74 home win over Zalgiriis Kaunas. Euroleague champions Panathinaikos, had no problems at hone vs Buducnost winning 87-71.