Maccabi Tel Aviv wrapped up its basketball season on Tuesday with its 58th championship, beating Hapoel Tel Aviv 3-1 in the derby finals and completing a domestic double. Speaking on Sport 5’s “5 Ba’Avir” on Wednesday, longtime club figure Shimon Mizrahi said he was pleased with the title and addressed the club’s offseason plans and internal changes.
Mizrahi rejected claims by Ofer Yanai about officiating, calling them “a very bad joke.” He said Maccabi is focused only on winning trophies and that the team’s success came from building “a quality group with a good chemistry,” not from comparing itself to Hapoel Tel Aviv or any other club. He also praised coach Oded Katash as “one of the leading coaches in Europe.”
On the roster, Mizrahi said Lonnie Walker is under contract for next season and that the staff would welcome him if he stays. He described Iffe Lundberg as a strong leader who organizes play on the court and said the club wants him back, with negotiations underway. He added that Claudio Coldabella was approached by Roma but, he hopes, will remain with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Mizrahi also clarified the ownership change involving Arik Stilman. He said Stilman bought 50 percent of Fendco Sport and was appointed a director, bringing ideas from the hi-tech world. “The current owners did not veto it, and he is part of the club’s ownership,” Mizrahi said. Looking ahead, he said many players’ wives do not want to come to Israel because of the situation, which has already caused some near-signings to withdraw, though Maccabi still wants Bonzie Colson.
