Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv launched the 2005/06 season exactly like it ended the previous season – as a powerful team. In a new look afrena with some bew players, Maccabi crushed Polish champions Prokom Trefl Sopot 95-68.
After trailing 12-19 Maccabi ended the first quarter with 1 23-21 lead and at half time the score read 46-35. In the second half the only question was the margin which eventually ended on 27 points.
Nikola Vujcic made history by becoming the first player to make a triple double in the Euroleague – 11 points, 12 rebounds & 11 assists.
The fans elected Kirk Penney as MVP. The New Zelander played 23 minutes and was Maccabi`s leading scorer with 19 pts in 70% FG (3 three pointers). An excellent game also for another newcomer Jamie Arnold who played 16 min, scored 17 pts in 80% FG and pulled down 5 rbds. Will Solomon, in his first EL game for Maccabi, had a disappointing evening with only 7 pts (3-9 FG) & 2 assists.
Other scorers for Maaccabi: Parker 12 pts, 7 ass & 6 rbds, Sharp 11, Baston 10 & 4 rbds, Burstein 4, Green 4 pts. Maccabi had 61% FG (7-13 for three), 23 assists & 39 rbds to Prokom 28.
Top scorers for Prokom: Nemeth 17, Wojcik 14 & 6 rbds, Jagodnik 12 pts.