BICOM

Tens of thousands of fans took to the streets last night in celebration as Maccabi Tel Aviv lifted its sixth European basketball championship last night, prompting congratulations from the country’s leaders.

Maccabi surprised many by even qualifying for the Final Four, the showpiece culmination of the European basketball calendar, which was held this year in Milan. Maccabi invariably dominates Israeli basketball, but had stuttered in the domestic league this season and so Final Four qualification was considered an achievement in itself.

Having defeated CSKA Moscow by just a single point on Friday night in the semi-final, Maccabi went into yesterday evening’s final against Spanish giants Real Madrid as clear underdogs. However, a tight game went into overtime having been tied and Maccabi then overpowered their opponents to win 98-86. An estimated ten thousand Maccabi supporters travelled to Milan for the final.

It was Maccabi’s first European title since 2005 and the team’s success is considered a point of pride for the entire country. President Shimon Peres telephoned Maccabi coach David Blatt just minutes after the game ended, telling him, “You are heroes and have brought incredible pride to the state of Israel” adding in reference to the team’s colours, “All of Israel is yellow tonight.” Blatt said that the win was a “leaving present from Maccabi Tel Aviv”, prior to Peres’ upcoming retirement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke with Blatt, saying, “A big smile spread across my face and across the faces of all the people of Israel.” Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said via social media that Maccabi had proven that anything is possible “when everyone is united.”

Maccabi’s victory prompted tens of thousands to pour onto the streets of Tel Aviv in celebration, congregating in the city’s Rabin Square. The win is the top story in all Israeli dailies this morning, with the entirety of Israel Hayom’s front page proclaiming “European Champions!” in the team’s yellow and blue colours.