Maccabi Tel Aviv Opens EuroLeague Season With Full Squad Optimism

Maccabi Tel Aviv is set to begin its 2026/27 EuroLeague campaign on Thursday, hosting Villeurbanne in Lyon. After a summer filled with significant team developments, the club is feeling optimistic about its prospects.

A contingent of approximately 100 fans traveled with the team to France to support the players in their opening game. There is a palpable sense of excitement and a belief within the club that this season represents a stronger starting point compared to previous years, following a summer of rebuilding and aiming for more competitive and successful outcomes.

Coach Oded Katash will have a nearly full roster available, with Gor Lavi being the only exception. Daniel Theis, Oshae Brissett, and Jaron Blossomgame have all recovered from their respective injuries and participated in full team practices. However, a decision is still pending on whether Blossomgame will be registered for the game, as his injury was more complex and the team is considering giving him additional rest.

Following a significant derby win and securing the season's first title, Maccabi is looking for consistency and aims to build on last season's momentum. New additions like Jaron Blossomgame, who joins after a stint with Fenerbahce, are expected to play significant roles. The team also anticipates seeing how newcomers Yovel Zoosman and Tamir Blatt integrate into the EuroLeague competition, alongside the debut of Kiton Wallace.

Daniel Theis, who was previously close to joining another team but made the move to Tel Aviv due to financial issues, carries high expectations based on his professional background. The club views the first game as crucial for setting a positive tone for the European season, aiming for a victory to contrast with a difficult start last year. "We feel we have a good squad, good chemistry, and most importantly, we need to stay as healthy as possible. This will impact the season's course and how we perform in every game," stated a team representative.

The team is also navigating off-court challenges, including ongoing ownership disputes, which are being kept out of the locker room. Additionally, the possibility of relocating home games from Serbia to Cyprus is being explored by the club.