Maccabi Tel Aviv Dominates Rival Hapoel Tel Aviv in Season Opener

Maccabi Tel Aviv kicked off their 2026-27 basketball season with a decisive victory over rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Social Super Cup on Thursday. The win provides a significant confidence boost heading into their EuroLeague opener next week.

New Maccabi guard Yam Madar was named the game's Most Valuable Player, contributing 13 points, 7 assists, and zero turnovers in his debut against his former team. Madar expressed his happiness with the decision to join Maccabi, stating, "It was really, really fun. I think we played well for this stage of the season. I'm happy with the win, especially for the fans, I know how important it is to them." He added, "It's not a given, especially because of everything that happened. I appreciate it and will work as hard as possible to repay it on the court."

Coach Oded Katash highlighted the importance of the win for the fans and the club, calling it "the first derby, the first title." He acknowledged the high pace of the game and some defensive lapses due to "over-eagerness" but praised the team's strong defensive stretches that secured the victory. Katash also commented on the new players, including Madar and Colson, noting their positive impact and potential for further improvement as the season progresses.

Player Jalen Hurd described the feeling of winning the first title as "great" and enjoyed playing in front of the fans. He emphasized the team's strong defensive performance and the positive impact of new additions like Madar and Colson. Roman Sorkin praised his on-court chemistry with Madar, calling their collaboration "fun" and highlighting Madar's energy-boosting presence for the entire team.