Cologne, Germany, October 10 - NBA Europe Live is going according to plan for CSKA Moscow. Last week they maintained their domestic dominance with convincing victories over BC Khimki and the LA Clippers. Today, in a re-match of the Euroleague final, they re-established themselves as the top European force courtesy of a 90-81 defeat of Maccabi Tel Aviv. And technically, the best is yet to come - a meeting with either the Suns or the Sixers in tomorrow´s final.

Against Maccabi, CSKA appeared to be in for another blow-out victory when they exploded for a 16-2 run early in the second quarter. Center David Andersen, who missed most of last season due to a broken ankle, continued his good early shape and helped building a 49-33 halftime lead. "We just played too soft in the first half," said Maccabi boss Neven Spahija. "That is not acceptable."

Spahija must have delivered a clear message during the break - his players slowly but surely fought their ways back into the game. They trimmed the lead to nine after three quarters, and it was a three-point ballgame before Trajan Langdon drilled a huge 3-pointer to make it 70-64. CSKA then left it for Matjaz Smodis, who scored eight of his team´s next 12 points to build a commanding 82-70 advantage. Maccabi never got closer than seven points again.

"We played well under pressure today," CSKA coach Ettore Messina stated. "We did not get much from our bench today but our starters played well." Apart from Theo Papaloukas´ ten assists and Andersen´s 19 points, CSKA got only little contribution from their reservists. It was starting forward Smodis who finished with a game-high 24 points, while Langdon (17) and Tomas Van Den Spiegel (12) also contributed valuable help.

"This game was more important to us than tomorrow´s match," Messina said afterwards. "We wanted to re-establish us in Europe. I´m not sure how we will play tomorrow because our starters had to play a lot and might physically not be as strong."

Maccabi lost a string of key players before the season but left little doubt they will once again be among the teams to beat. Forward Lioir Elyahu chalked up 21 points on an impressive 9-for-11 shooting from the field, while guard Will Bynum added 18.

Meanwhile, Langdon is confident CSKA will claim another prestigious victory tomorrow. "I think it is possible for us to beat NBA teams twice," said the guard. He guessed that the opponent will be better prepared than the Clippers were in their defeat last Saturday. "It will be very difficult," he added.