Australia - Boomers' David Andersen nets third Euro crown
Boomers centre David Andersen is celebrating his third EuroLeague basketball title after his CSKA Moscow overpowered Irael's Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv 91-77. The 212cm Andersen yesterday scored 13 points in Madrid and collected five rebounds to help the Russian powerhouse win the final of European basketball's equivalent to soccer's Champions League.
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Boomers centre David Andersen is celebrating his third EuroLeague basketball title after his CSKA Moscow overpowered Irael's Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv 91-77.
The 212cm Andersen yesterday scored 13 points in Madrid and collected five rebounds to help the Russian powerhouse win the final of European basketball's equivalent to soccer's Champions League.
One of the premier big men in European competition, Andersen also tasted EuroLeague success with CSKA in 2006 and Italian side Bologna in 2001.
"This one is for everybody that loves me - my family, my friends and, of course, for everybody at CSKA Moscow," Andersen said.
"It means a lot to me and now it is time to celebrate."
Andersen had grabbed four rebounds and shot 16 points to finish as CKSA's equal top-scorer in Sunday's 83-79 semi-final win against Spanish outfit Tau Ceramica.
Andersen played a vital role in the Boomers' Olympic qualification victory against New Zealand in the 2007 Oceania championship and is expected to be a key part of their Beijing campaign.
A 10-point run to start the fourth quarter gave Moscow the gap it needed after it held a six-point lead at the last break.
Matjaz Smodis then sunk two free throws to put the Russian champion up by 11 before promptly knocking down a three-pointer to make it 71-57.
"We got in control and started working a bit more on offence, and our defence really started to tighten up and we stopped them getting the shots they wanted," Andersen said.
"It was a great team effort. It's always been a great core of guys. We have a great group that works well together and we all get along off the court too, so it's no surprise that we won.
"We always had faith and it paid off."
Former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Trajan Langdon was named final MVP after leading CSKA with 21 points.
THE Boomers will play Iran in a three-game series in June.
The matches will be played in Melbourne (State Netball and Hockey Centre, June 20), Perth and Adelaide.
Iran has been drawn in the same group as Australia at the Games.