European Media Blasts Maccabi Tel Aviv as Worst Team Under Coach Katash

Maccabi Tel Aviv has fallen to a 0-3 record in the EuroLeague after a decisive 90-67 loss to Panathinaikos, drawing sharp criticism from European sports media. While Panathinaikos's performance was noted, the focus has heavily shifted to Maccabi's struggles, with coach Oded Katash facing intense scrutiny.

Serbian outlet "Meridian Sport" suggested that Katash's position is increasingly precarious, stating, "Maccabi continues to sink, and it seems Oded Katash's chair has never been hotter." Greek "Gazzetta" journalist Antonis Kalkabouras described the team's performance as "depressing" and "by far the worst team Oded Katash has presented in his five years in his second tenure with the Israeli club."

Basketballsphere also criticized the team's roster construction, calling it "illogical" and noting that the team "looks completely broken." The outlet questioned the team's strategy, particularly the decision to sign guards focused on individual scoring rather than facilitating the frontcourt players like Daniel Theis, Roman Sorkin, Bonzie Colson, and Oshea Brissett. This perceived lack of playmaking for the big men has reportedly backfired against teams like Besiktas and Panathinaikos.

"Gazzetta" further detailed Panathinaikos's dominant strategy, which focused not only on limiting Kithon Wallace but on disrupting Maccabi's entire offensive flow. The Greek team reportedly executed coach Željko Obradović's philosophy with clear principles and a suffocating defense, imposing their style convincingly on Maccabi.