Euroleague champ Maccabi Tel Aviv only a No. 2 seed

Seeding takes into account the performance of teams in European competitions during a three year period.

By ALLON SINAI
Maccabi Tel - Aviv Champion (photo credit: REUTERS)
Maccabi Tel - Aviv Champion
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Despite being the regaining champion, Maccabi Tel Aviv will only be one of four No. 2 seeds in next Thursday’s Euroleague regular-season draw.
The seeding was determined by the Euroleague Club Ranking, which takes into account the performance of teams in European competitions during a three year period.
Maccabi reached the quarterfinals in the two seasons prior to the recent triumphant campaign. CSKA Moscow, Barcelona, Olympiacos and Real Madrid will be No. 1 seeds next week, with Maccabi being joined by Panathinaikos, Valencia and Anadolu Efes Istanbul in the second seeding pot.
Maccabi cannot face any of the other No. 2 seeds in the regular season, with each of the six regular season groups to consist of one team from each seeding pot.
Hapoel Jerusalem will face either CEZ Nymburk of the Czech Republic or Ostend of Belgium in the first round of the Euroleague qualifiers.
Jerusalem will be a No. 2 seed in the draw and will face one of the two No. 3 seeds in the first round.
Jerusalem will need to come through three qualifying rounds to progress to the regular season, with only one of the eight teams in the qualifiers to advance to the group stage. The seven remaining sides will play in the Eurocup.