To reconstruct the Final in Moscow

Maccabbi Elite Tel Aviv will play this evening in the Sazka Arena in Prague its 601 game in European competitions vs TAU Ceramica Vitoria with a clear goal – to reach its 13th cup final. Most of the basketball people who gathered in Prague to attend the most important event of the European season, are certain that Maccabi will be present on Sunday evening for its Euroleague Final.in a row. They base their prediction on the fact that Maccabi is a much more experienced team on these occasions, playing their sixth F4 in seven seasons. The also thins that the fact that had coach Pini Gershon has already won three finals gives him an advantage over Velimir Perasovic only in his second year as a coach. They also believe that the expected 8,000 Maccabi fans, will have a major influence on the outcome. In a Press Conference yesterday, Gershon said that immediately after the tip off, the game is in the hands of the players and the age and experience of the coaches, are not so important. “TAU have some excellent and experienced players and last year, in the Final in Moscow, they also gave us a hard time”. Anthony Parker was asked if he and his team mates have come to Prague to complete the three-peat. “I was expecting this question, Parker said, “Since the beginning of the season, we had one goal – to qualify for the Final Four. Now that we are here, we look forward to make the Final”. Maccabi has a 5-4 lead over TAU since their first meeting in January 1999. Maccabi have won the last three games when Dusko Ivanovic was still coach, including last year`s final in Moscow 90-78 Both teams held practice sessions at the impressive Sazka Arena. This evening Derrick Sharp and his co players expect an electric atmosphere from the Yellow Army. In the second semi final (21:30) Wintherttur Barcelona will play CSKA Moscow.