Maccabi Tel Aviv Coach Oded Katash Calls Loss 'Very Disappointing'

Maccabi Tel Aviv suffered a significant 109-93 defeat to Besiktas in their second EuroLeague game of the season, held in Belgrade. This follows an earlier surprising loss to Villeurbanne in the opening round, leaving the team with an 0-2 record.

Head coach Oded Katash expressed his disappointment, stating, "This was a very disappointing loss, we didn't expect this." He highlighted a loss of confidence and poor body language, particularly in the first half, despite Besiktas's strong shooting. Katash noted that the team has struggled with aggression and toughness in both games, losing structure and team cohesion easily.

Katash identified defense as the team's biggest problem, emphasizing the need for immediate improvement. While acknowledging Besiktas made difficult shots in the second half, his focus remained on the first half's performance. He also pointed to the challenge of integrating new players and ensuring they understand team expectations.

Looking ahead, Katash acknowledged the team's quality and the need for mental strength to compete at the EuroLeague level. He sees the upcoming game against Panathinaikos, described as potentially the toughest in the league, as an opportunity to regroup and build momentum. Maccabi Tel Aviv will face Zeljko Obradovic's squad in Athens in two days.