ITA - Mission accomplished for Drucker at Fabi Shoes

MONTEGRANARO (Lega A) - Sharon Drucker left the bench of Maccabi Tel Aviv last summer after assisting Pini Gershon and he took over at Aris Thessaloniki in Greece.

After parting with Aris earlier this year, the Israeli was in late April put in charge of Fabi Shoes Montegranaro with the sole aim of keeping the team in Serie A for another season.

With three games to go, Montegranaro won at home against Lottomatica Roma but then fell Cimberio Varese and over the weekend, slipped up on their own floor against relegation-threatened Angelico Biella.

The one victory over Roma proved to be enough, though, as both they and Biella secured their top-flight status with 11-19 records - one win more than second-bottom Teramo who fell 96-94 in their last game at Virtus Bologna.

"We were hoping to win in front of our fans, but unfortunately it didn't happen," Drucker said after Sunday's 82-79 home loss to Biella.

"But we should be happy because the mission was to remain in (Lega) A.

"I thank the players in these two and a half weeks because they have worked well, done everything possible, as the entire club has done everything possible to achieve this.

"Now we are returning to Serie A, and I'm happy about that fact."

Drucker's agreement was to remain in charge of Fabi Shoes if they remained in the top flight, and he indicated that his plan is to coach the team in 2011-12, saying: "It will be good to see everyone again next year."

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