Maccabi Tel Aviv Dominates Rival in Super Cup Victory

Maccabi Tel Aviv secured their first-ever Super Cup title by defeating Hapoel Tel Aviv 101-83 in a highly anticipated derby match on Thursday. The victory marks a strong start to the official season for coach Oded Katash's squad, just a week before the EuroLeague season begins. The team displayed a convincing performance, showcasing character, responsibility, and quick learning, which has encouraged both players and management.

Maccabi's win holds significant weight, especially given the derby's rivalry and the presence of 4,000 of their fans in attendance. Coach Katash expressed his satisfaction with the result and the experience, emphasizing the team's understanding of the game's importance to the club and its supporters. Despite building a new team with many new faces and still being in a preparation phase, Maccabi's impressive play suggested otherwise, demonstrating good form and a clear style of play.

The team has been training with a full roster for only two weeks, integrating new signings with returning veterans like Iffe Lundberg and Jalen Reynolds, who provide stability and experience. Katash noted that the presence of returning players significantly eases the integration of newcomers, allowing the team to establish its playing style much faster than in previous seasons where squads were built almost from scratch.

Defensively, Maccabi focused on strengthening their game, particularly in the second quarter, and maintained this intensity throughout the second half to solidify their control. Katash acknowledged moments of "over-motivation" but praised the players' response during timeouts and halftime, highlighting their improved energy and body language. He expressed confidence in the team's maturity to avoid complacency after the win.

All eyes were on Yam Madar, who transferred from Hapoel Tel Aviv to Maccabi this summer. Madar was named MVP of the game, contributing 13 points, 7 assists, and an impressive long-range shot. Club officials and teammates lauded Madar's performance, with many stating he "showed everyone what he is worth." Katash further praised Madar's immediate impact, passion, and potential for further growth as he integrates into the team's system.

Newcomers like Bonzie Colson, Armando Bacot, and Keenan Wallace also made strong debuts. Colson scored 13 points, Wallace added 10, and Bacot contributed 9. Katash sees significant potential for Bacot and Wallace, noting that Bacot's role will be more prominent this season. Despite the celebratory mood, Katash stressed that this is just the beginning and there is still much work to be done.