Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Opens European Season Against New-Look ASVEL

Maccabi Tel Aviv is set to begin its European campaign on Thursday at 21:45 against French club ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne. Ahead of their departure, the team discussed the upcoming season opener. ASVEL has undergone significant changes during the offseason, including a new head coach, NBA legend Tony Parker, who will be in his first year coaching in the EuroLeague. Only three players from last season remain: David Lighty, Edwin Jackson, and Bodian Massé. Notable new additions include Booth Guy and Joel Bolomboy.

This will be the 16th meeting between the two clubs, with Maccabi Tel Aviv having won 13 of the previous 15 encounters. Their away record against ASVEL is also strong, with six wins and one loss. "There are no easy games," stated head coach Oded Kattash, acknowledging the challenge of the opening away game. He described ASVEL as a very athletic team with a style they haven't encountered before.

Kattash expressed optimism about Maccabi's current squad, noting that their starting point in terms of depth and continuity is better than in previous seasons. However, he emphasized that the competition has intensified and that success will depend on various factors, including the potential return of games to Israel and the team's health. "I believe we will connect things over time," he added.

Player Ozey Brissett also shared his excitement for the new season, stating, "We know what to expect and we know what's at stake. We have an impressive roster, from beginning to end, with players who want to win, and that's the most important thing." He stressed the team's desire to be dominant against every opponent and to approach each game as a final, focusing on continuous improvement.