Maccabi Tel Aviv Faces Hapoel Jerusalem Amidst EuroLeague Struggles

Maccabi Tel Aviv is preparing to face Hapoel Jerusalem in the Winner Cup semifinals on October 4th, 2026, just hours before the game. The team is looking to rebound after a disappointing start to their EuroLeague season, having lost their first three games, marking the worst European season opening in the club's history. The players are frustrated but believe they can overcome the current situation and aim to start connecting their efforts quickly. They acknowledge the difficulty of every EuroLeague game, especially this season, and emphasize the need for improved desire and energy on the court to better execute their strategies.

The team returned from Greece early this morning after a double EuroLeague week and held an evening practice. However, center Daniel Theis did not participate due to an ankle injury. He has not trained in recent days, and the club is attempting to get him ready for play. Following the decision not to dress him for the last game against Panathinaikos, it is expected he will also miss the upcoming semifinal to avoid aggravating the injury.

Coach Oded Katash stated before the game that the team's goal is to put the poor EuroLeague start behind them and focus on Hapoel Jerusalem. He noted the limited preparation time but expressed confidence that a challenging game against a strong opponent could help the team regain focus and the energy that has been lacking in recent matches.