Maccabi Tel Aviv beat Hapoel Tel Aviv 83-79 on Friday night in Game 4 of the final and claimed its 58th Israeli championship. After the title-clinching win, the players celebrated and reflected on a strong season.
Guard Iffe Lundberg said he came to Maccabi for moments like this. “It was a great series. We gave everything and hoped to win the championship today,” he said. “I came to Maccabi to help the team, that is why I signed here, I am very happy. I always believed in myself, nobody will believe in me if I do not do it. I try to make winning plays for the team. I am very proud of all my teammates, everyone gave everything from the first moment of the series until the last.” He added that he still does not know whether he will stay next season, saying he wants to celebrate first.
Roman Sorkin said he owed the team for his struggles in the previous game and a half, admitting, “I was not here. I was focused on myself, that cannot happen, they count on me and I am glad I finally gave back.” He called it his sweetest championship, together with his first one at Maccabi. Captain John DiBartolomeo also said he felt great pride after a long season and a difficult year in Israel, adding that the team’s goal is always to win every domestic title and that he had no update on his future.
Club owner Shimon Mizrahi said the championship and the cup are “our bread and butter” and that the team completed a major double. He praised coach Oded Katash and said Maccabi won despite being without four key players. Looking ahead, Mizrahi said the club is doing everything to build a strong, high-quality roster, and added that to succeed in the EuroLeague, they will need to play in Israel. Center Zach Hankins also praised the team’s playoff run and said he does not yet know if he will remain next season.
