CSKA Moscow hope to clinch Euroleague at last

CSKA Moscow hope it will be third time lucky and they are finally crowned basketball's Euroleague champions on home soil after missing out the last two years. The army club host 2004 winners Maccabi Tel Aviv, 2002 champions Panathinaikos and Spain's...

CSKA Moscow hope it will be third time lucky and they are finally crowned basketball's Euroleague champions on home soil after missing out the last two years. The army club host 2004 winners Maccabi Tel Aviv, 2002 champions Panathinaikos and Spain's Tau Ceramica in the Final Four at Moscow's 14,000-seat Olympic arena starting today.

On the opening day, the Russian champions take on Tau while the Israelis face the Greeks in the other semi-final. The two winners square off in Sunday's final.

CSKA, making their third consecutive Final Four appearance, are eager to capture the most prestigious trophy in European club basketball for the first time in over three decades.

The Muscovites hope the home court gives them the edge this time round after losing in the semis to tournament hosts, who went on to claim the title, on two previous occasions.

They went down to eventual champions Barcelona 76-71 in 2003 and were beaten by Maccabi 93-85 in Tel Aviv the following year.

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