As part of the Euroleague Basketball World Tour 2015, Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv of Israel and Olimpia Milan of Italy squared off twice, at New York’s Madison Square Garden and Chicago’s United Center. Maccabi won the first game in Chicago 85-79. Three days later in New York, Milan claimed the victory 72-76. Although many Turkish Airlines Euroleague teams have competed in North America previously, these EuroClassic games marked the first time that two European teams faced one another on this side of the pond.

Thousands of fans came out to see the games and no one was disappointed. Those of both Israeli and Italian descent who came to support their homeland’s team got to watch a solid basketball matchup. Other fans came to watch family members or players they had followed while in college or the NBA who are now playing in Europe. There were also those fans who wanted to get a first-hand look at Dragan Bender of Maccabi Tel Aviv, who did not disappoint. Finally, many basketball aficionados came who simply wanted to watch a high-level game of European style basketball, which differs from NBA play in many ways, making it educational and entertaining.

Maccabi’s loyal fans are well known for following their team throughout Europe. This fan frenzy appears to have extended to America, with Maccabi fans packing the stands at both games, far outnumbering the Milan fans in both New York and Chicago. Although fans in New York didn’t see their team get the win, they got an early glimpse of 17-year-old Bender’s talents when he blocked a shot by Alessandro Gentile of Milan in the first minutes of the game, triggering a fast break for Maccabi which ended with a Sylven Landesberg dunk. The 7 footer is expected to be a top prospect in the next NBA draft.

By Jill Kirsch