Maccabi Tel Aviv celebrated a sweet championship on Tuesday night, lifting the trophy for the 58th time after beating Hapoel Tel Aviv 79-83 to clinch the final series 1-3. After the game, head coach Oded Katash spoke to the program "Hamishtiyot" and called the title "very special, one of the biggest," saying he had wanted to finish the series in Game 3.
Katash said Maccabi had been “very short-handed” and that he had feared the team’s depth issues, especially after John DiBartolomeo landed on his elbow and needed a long time to straighten it. He praised the players for winning two games through defense, called the series emotionally charged, and said it was “the most sporting series in many years.” He also said Maccabi was not the favorite, but also not an underdog, and that the team felt it had earned the title after finishing the regular season first and securing home-court advantage.
He thanked the crowd, saying he had not expected such strong support and that fans understood what the team had gone through. Katash also said the title was particularly meaningful after “three crazy years” and a season shaped by injuries and repeated roster changes. He explained that the decision not to dress Lonnie Walker was purely professional, because the team needed ball-handling guards and could not afford to sacrifice a big man once Tamir Blatt, T.J. Leaf, and Guy Pnini? no, two key frontcourt players? actually two frontcourt injuries, were out, and because Maccabi had to manage a very limited roster.
Looking ahead, Katash said Maccabi’s management must make decisions about the future, including whether to be dominant only in Israel or also in the EuroLeague. He said the club needs to address budget, continuity, EuroLeague experience and a late GM appointment, adding that competition in Israeli basketball also took a big bite out of the budget. He said he wants John DiBartolomeo to stay, and noted the club has contracts and priorities around Tamir Blatt and Roman Sorkin. Katash concluded that he is now ready to be favored, and even to manage “the biggest budget in the EuroLeague,” saying that after everything he has been through, he feels prepared and proud.
