Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Team Kicks Off Season Amidst Fan Celebration

Maccabi Tel Aviv's basketball team officially launched its 2026/27 season with its first training session at the Hadar Yosef Sports Center, drawing hundreds of enthusiastic fans. The supporters filled the stands, cheering for the team, including owner Udi Recanati and chairman Shimon Mizrahi. Players returning from national duty, such as Daniel Tys, Jalen Hurd, Yiftach Lundberg, and Yam Madar, joined the squad. Madar, a recent acquisition from a rival team, received a special welcome from the fans, who chanted "He is yellow." Bonzie Colson, back with Maccabi after two years, led the cheers.

The training session was briefly interrupted when fans stormed the court, lifting the players onto their shoulders. Flares were also lit, filling the arena with smoke, adding to the festive atmosphere. Despite being domestic champions, Maccabi is looking to improve on a disappointing European season where they finished with an 18-20 record.

Adding to the club's context, a legal dispute over ownership continues between the Recanati family and sponsor Arik Shtilman. Captain John DiBartolomeo expressed excitement for the new season, highlighting the team's potential and his eagerness to play for the fans, even in the EuroLeague.

In a recent preparatory game, Maccabi Tel Aviv lost to Maccabi Herzliya 86-84, despite holding a 17-point lead earlier in the game. Several players, including Surkin, Lundberg, and Jimmy Clark (due to injury), did not participate, and Hurd played only briefly. The team is scheduled to play another practice match against Maccabi Rishon LeZion on Tuesday before heading to Cyprus for games against Aris Thessaloniki and Olympiacos.