Former Maccabi Tel Aviv Guard Reflects on Painful 2007 EuroLeague Playoff Loss to Partizan Belgrade

Nearly 17 years after the unforgettable 2007 EuroLeague playoff series between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Partizan Belgrade, former Maccabi guard Andrew Wisniewski shared his lasting memories and emotions in an interview with Skweek. Wisniewski, who played for Maccabi in the 2009/10 season, described the series as one of the toughest losses of his career, emphasizing his belief that Maccabi had a team capable of winning the EuroLeague title. He pinpointed the first game in Tel Aviv as the turning point, where despite holding a significant lead, Maccabi allowed Partizan to come back, led by Dušan Kecman’s 29 points and seven three-pointers.

Wisniewski highlighted Partizan’s physical style of play, especially inside with players like Aleks Maric, Lawrence Roberts, and Jan Vesely, which challenged Maccabi’s fast-paced game. After losing home-court advantage, the series moved to Belgrade, where over 20,000 passionate fans created an intense atmosphere. Wisniewski, who had experience playing in Belgrade with Red Star, warned his teammates about the hostile environment, noting that the crowd’s energy gave Partizan a significant boost and made life difficult for the visitors.

He also contrasted the fan atmospheres, praising Maccabi’s supporters in Tel Aviv but stating that Belgrade’s crowd was on another level, demanding extra effort from their players and relentlessly pressuring opponents. Wisniewski fondly recalled his time under coach Pini Gershon during the 2009/10 season, describing Gershon as a unique personality who kept things simple and focused on fundamentals. Unlike his previous demanding European coaches, Gershon’s relaxed approach and understanding of players and fans made the experience special.

Now retired since 2012 and serving as an assistant coach at Manhattan University, Wisniewski expressed his enduring connection to the European clubs he played for, including Maccabi. He emphasized the strong sense of family and belonging that remains long after players leave the team, a distinctive aspect of European basketball culture.