Maccabi Tel Aviv Coach Calls for Return to Normalcy in EuroLeague Play
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Maccabi Tel Aviv faces Barcelona in a EuroLeague game on Tuesday, currently sitting 18th with a 1-3 record. Coach Oded Katash stressed the team's need for wins and highlighted controlling pace and rebounds as keys to success. He also expressed a strong desire for EuroLeague games to return to Israel, calling the current situation political and stating, "We have a crazy desire to return to normalcy."
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Maccabi Tel Aviv faces Barcelona in EuroLeague play on Tuesday with a 1-3 record.
- Coach Oded Katash emphasized the need for his team to start winning games, especially away.
- Katash stated controlling pace and rebounding are keys to beating Barcelona.
- The coach expressed a strong desire for EuroLeague games to return to Israel.
- Katash believes the current situation regarding playing locations is political.
- Barcelona features key players like Kevin Punter, averaging 17.2 points per game.
Maccabi Tel Aviv is set to continue its EuroLeague season on Tuesday against Barcelona, entering the game with a 1-3 record, placing them 18th in the standings. Barcelona holds a 2-2 record and sits in ninth place. The team held its final practice in Tel Aviv before departing for Spain, with nearly a full roster available, only the player remains sidelined due to a long-term injury.
Coach Oded Katash emphasized the need for his team to start accumulating wins, especially in challenging away games, viewing the upcoming double-week in Spain as a prime opportunity. Key to their strategy against Barcelona, he stated, will be controlling the pace and rebounding. "We will face teams that play at a high tempo, and we need to be prepared for that," Katash said, noting the importance of selecting the right lineups and players suited for such fast-paced games.
Reflecting on the team's recent successful week, Katash expressed hope that it improved the atmosphere and fostered mental toughness. He acknowledged the positive impact of playing at home with their fans, stating, "It's quite clear that it helps us start games well." When asked about his winless record against Barcelona during his tenure, Katash admitted he hadn't remembered but expressed a strong desire to win this time.
Katash also addressed the possibility of EuroLeague games returning to Israel, calling the decision "logical" and suggesting that "there's a lot going on beneath the surface." He believes the issue is largely political, asserting, "There is no reason to play in Dubai and not in Tel Aviv. We have a crazy desire to return to normalcy."
Barcelona, under coach Alexandar Skolić, has undergone significant changes, aiming for success with key players like Kevin Punter, who is averaging 17.2 points per game. Other notable contributors include Justin Robinson (11.5 PPG) and Omoy Gibson (10 PPG). Josh Nebo has returned from injury and is a strong presence on the front line alongside Olek Balcerowski. The team also features guards Dario Brizuela and forwards Tosan Evbuomwan, Oliver Nkamhoua, and Tyrese Martin.
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