Maccabi Tel Aviv Seeks EuroLeague Win Amidst Emotional Anniversary

Maccabi Tel Aviv will host EA7 Emporio Armani Milan on Thursday evening in the fourth round of the EuroLeague season, aiming to avoid a fourth consecutive loss. The Israeli team currently sits at the bottom of the EuroLeague standings with three losses from three games, while Milan has one win and is ranked 15th. Maccabi traveled to Belgrade, Serbia, where they have been playing home games, on Wednesday afternoon. The team will hold a shooting practice and a video session on Milan before the game.

Maccabi is determined to break their losing streak but acknowledges the need for significant tactical improvements. Key areas identified for enhancement include rebounding, interior defense, one-on-one defense, and quicker offensive execution. Player Daniel Theis traveled with the team, but his participation will be determined after the morning practice based on his physical condition. The coaching staff is leaning towards playing Theis, though his impact is uncertain. The team hopes he can provide support for Roman Sorkin, given the insufficient performance of Armand "Shawn" Mayes so far.

Captain John DiBartolomeo, who missed the last three games due to his brother's wedding, is set to play. The team observed a moment of silence for the October 7th attacks during their final practice on Wednesday, and will wear black armbands during the game. DiBartolomeo spoke about the emotional difficulty of playing during this period, emphasizing the importance of remembering the victims and supporting their families. He noted that while the events of October 7th and its aftermath have been challenging, the team has had to focus on their responsibilities, both to their families in Israel and to their professional duties, a balance they have worked to maintain throughout the season.