Bonzie Colson Declares He Cannot Wear Red, Admits Hapoel Tel Aviv Interest
In a revealing interview with "Euro Insiders," Maccabi Tel Aviv forward Bonzie Colson discussed the intense rivalry between his team and Hapoel Tel Aviv, calling their derby the most hostile atmosphere he has experienced in Europe. Colson, who returned to Maccabi for a second stint this summer, stated unequivocally that he "cannot wear red," emphasizing the deep animosity between the two clubs. Despite this strong sentiment, Colson confirmed that Hapoel Tel Aviv had previously expressed interest in signing him, though he did not specify if a formal offer was made. He also praised Hapoel's owner, Ofer Yanai, for his contributions to Israeli basketball.
Colson recounted extreme incidents during past derbies, including fans setting fire to a net and prolonged periods of smoke and flares on the court that obscured visibility. He contrasted the intense atmosphere of the Tel Aviv derby with other European rivalries like Red Star Belgrade vs. Partizan, noting the unique nature of the Israeli matchup. He also recalled Maccabi's playoff series against Monaco, highlighting the fans' disruptive tactics outside the opposing team's hotel.
Reflecting on his time with Maccabi, Colson spoke fondly of the strong camaraderie among teammates like Lorenzo Brown, noting that their bond extended beyond the court and that many attended his wedding. He differentiated between the coaching styles of Oded Katash, whom he described as generally calm, and Sarunas Jasikevicius, his former coach at Fenerbahce, characterizing Jasikevicius as a perfectionist whose intensity stemmed from a desire to win.
Colson attributed the departure of many players from Maccabi during his first tenure to the outbreak of the war, suggesting that the team would have stayed together otherwise. He observed that Maccabi is now attempting to rebuild its strength and attract players with a larger budget and a renewed focus on home games, acknowledging that the club is observing Hapoel's actions. However, he also noted that Tel Aviv remains a challenging destination for players and their families due to past security concerns, requiring a special kind of player to make the move.
