CSKA Moscow basketball throw coach Ettore Messina into the air after winning the final game of the Euroleague Final Four Basketball Championship against Maccabi Tel Aviv at the Palacio de los Deportes in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 4, 2008. CSKA Moscow won 91-77.
Photo: AP, AP
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CSKA Moscow Wins Euroleague Final Four
In eight months after Russia’s victory in Europe’s basketball final, Madrid was again the fortunate city for our basketball. This time, the main club title of continent was won there. CSKA Moscow got back the trophy after the break of two years by defeating Maccabi Tel Aviv in the final game of the Euroleague Final Four Basketball Championship at the Palacio de los Deportes in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 4, 2008.
For CSKA Moscow, it is the second Euroleague title in three years. And unlike the September 16 victory of Russia, the Sunday triumph wasn’t surprising – CSKA was the obvious favorite of the competition.
The team is the best in Russia, CSKA General Director Andrei Vatutin was emphatic. “In success, stability…. Yes, it’s easily checked, really.”
CSKA hasn’t missed the most prestigious Eurolegue Men’s Final Four for six years, i.e. since Italian coach Ettore Messina took over the team. What’s more, CSKA has a solid chance to become the strongest basketball club of Europe. It has to win twice to reach Real, which has eight victories in its triumph list.
Vatutin said it was his idea to make contract with Ettore Messina on the day of the final, even before the game and at the very peak of rumors that the coach would soon announce his withdrawal to Barcelona.
“You see, it was a sign for him, that we trust him completely. And the extent of our trust doesn’t depend on result,” Vatutin explained, specifying that the negotiations had taken four months and had been very difficult. Asked whether Barcelona seriously eyed Messina, “not Barcelona alone,” Vatutin said. “We have drawn him away from leading clubs of Europe, and not only of Europe.”
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of May 06, 2008
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