David Vanterpool and Theo Papaloukas led CSKA Moscow to a 73-69 upset win over Maccabi Tel Aviv in the European basketball league final late on Sunday that spoiled the Israeli team's bid for a third consecutive crown.

CSKA reached the three previous Final Four tournaments but had failed to win a title that has eluded the club since 1971.

"It had been 36 years since our club won this title. I am sure Alexander Gomelsky would be proud of what we accomplished tonight," said CSKA's Italian coach Ettore Messina.

Maccabi coach Pini Gershon was aiming to equal Gomelsky's record of three consecutive European titles with SKA Riga from 1957 to 1959 but failed to win his fourth crown overall. Gomelsky, who was appointed CSKA head coach in 1961 and led them to a European title in 1970 and 10 national championships, died in August last year after a long battle with cancer.

With the score tied at 25 on Sunday, CSKA turned their defence up a notch and went on a 13-0 run as they eventually took a five-point lead into the locker room at the half.

American forward Vanterpool then caught fire, scoring CSKA's first nine points of the second half as the Russians stretched their lead to as many as 11 points.

The teams then traded the lead several times, until Papaloukas took over down the stretch with eight points in the final quarter to finish on 18 points and seven assists.

Also on Sunday, Tau Ceramica topped Barcelona 87-82 to take third place.

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