Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv will play on Thursday, April 29 at the NOKIA Arena vs CSKA Moscow in the semi final of the Euroleague Final Four. This after a 107-99 overtime win over Zalgiris Kaunas in the most dramatic game ever played in Tel Aviv.
The second semi final will be an all Italian affair between Skipper Bologna & Montepaschi Siena. All four teams played in Group B of the regular season.
Maccabi led 46-43 at half time but fell behind 58-64 at the end of the third. With 15.7 sec from time. Zalgiris led 92-86. The magnificent Saras made a three point play 92-89. Cota scored with two free throws 94-89. Vujcic reacted and made it 94-91. Gustas missed two free throws with 2.2 second to go. Gur Shelef sent a long pass towards the Zalgiris three point line. Derrick Sharp controlled the ball and his “suicidal” throw made it 94-84 on the buzzer.
Maccabi started the OT without Saras & Parker (fouled out). Earlier Zalgiris lost Sabonis & Timinskas for the same reason. Nikola Vujcic scored twice to make it 98-94 and Maccabi never looked back to start the celbrations on reaching its seventh European Final Four.
Saras was voted MVP with 37 pts in 58%FG and 92%FT (11-12).