By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
The story of the 2004 Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv championship team remains one of the most iconic chapters in EuroLeague history. In the 15th installment of Final Four Stories by Stoiximan, Nikola Vujcic spoke with Eurohoops about that unforgettable era.
The Croatian former center described the team’s skyrocketing popularity, comparing their fame to that of the Beatles. He noted that life became ‘miserable’ in a sense because they could no longer eat in restaurants or walk the streets without being swamped for selfies and autographs as camera phones began to emerge.
The atmosphere at the Yad Eliyahu Arena during that Final Four was nothing short of electric. Vujcic recalled that the energy from the fans made him feel like his legs were ‘flying’ from the moment they entered the gym. Despite the championship game against Skipper Bologna turning into a historic rout, the team remained disciplined.
He remembered his teammates in the locker room during the halftime break, “Wait, it’s not finished. It’s 30 points, but it’s not finished. We have to continue.” They returned to the court with even more intensity.
One of the most legendary moments of the championship game occurred with five minutes remaining. As head coach Pini Gershon began subbing out the starters, the players immediately took off their game jerseys and put on ‘We Are the Champions’ shirts while still on the bench.
Vujcic shared a humorous anecdote where a mistake on the court led Gershon to turn around for a substitution, only to realize his players were already dressed for the trophy ceremony and could no longer re-enter the game.
This title was the culmination of a lifelong dream inspired by watching Jugoplastika win three European titles during his youth. He explained that he didn’t feel overly nervous because of the immense confidence he had in his teammates, describing a ‘really special team, like a family’.
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