Panathinaikos crowned kings of Europe
Euro League Final: Panathinaikos 73-67 Maccabi Tel Aviv
Panathinaikos reached the summit of European basketball for the second time in five years, lifting the Euro League crown with a 73-67 defeat of Maccabi Tel Aviv in Thessaloniki.
The Israelis, seeking to regain the title they last won over 20 years ago, held the advantage in the first half, leading 36-29 before the Greeks closed with a 7-0 run to draw level at the interval.
But buoyed by home country support, Panathinaikos burst clear during the second half, their lead extending to as much as 11 points when Oded Katash hit 2/3 from the line against his former team with nine minutes remaining.
Maccabi fought back hard in the closing stages, compiling a 8-0 spurt which brought them to within three points. But despite a game-best 26 points from Nate Huffman that was the nearest they came to overturning the Helvetians advantage and a late 8-1 burst put the result beyond any doubt.
Zeljjo Rebraca led the victors with 20 points while Irish international Pat Burke scored seven.
Box Score
Pan: Rebraca 20, Katash 17, Fotsis 9, Bodiroga 9, Burke 7, Alvertis 4, Gentile 3, Koch, Rogers, BoudourisMac: Huffman 26, Brisker 13, McDonald 11, Sheffer 6, Sharp 5, Henefeld 3, Jamchy 3, Comegys 3, Shelef 0, Popa 0
Earlier, in the 3/4 place play-off, Efes Pilsen took a 75-69 win over Barcelona.
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