Maccabi Tel Aviv Could Reach EuroLeague Final Four If Allowed Home Games
Translated & summarized from Sport5 by baba
Maccabi Tel Aviv's Professional Manager Claudio Coldebella stated the team could reach the EuroLeague Final Four if allowed to play home games in Israel. The team is currently hosting games abroad due to the security situation, which Coldebella believes is unfair and harms the league's value. He cited the strong home-court advantage Maccabi enjoys with its 11,000 fans. Coldebella predicted Olympiacos, Fenerbahce, and Panathinaikos for the Final Four, with Maccabi as the fourth if they can return home.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Maccabi Tel Aviv could reach the EuroLeague Final Four if allowed to play home games in Israel.
- The team is currently hosting games abroad due to the security situation.
- Manager Claudio Coldebella called the situation unfair and detrimental to the EuroLeague's value.
- Coldebella highlighted the significant home-court advantage Maccabi gains from its 11,000 fans.
- He predicted Olympiacos, Fenerbahce, and Panathinaikos for the Final Four, with Maccabi as the fourth team.
Maccabi Tel Aviv's Professional Manager, Claudio Coldebella, believes the team could reach the EuroLeague Final Four if they are permitted to play their home games in Israel. The team has been forced to host games outside of Israel due to the security situation, impacting their performance and the league's integrity, Coldebella stated in an interview with Italian media.
Coldebella described Tel Aviv as a beautiful city and downplayed the perception of it being under siege, noting that Israelis are accustomed to emergency situations. He emphasized the strong connection between the team and its fans, citing a recent Israeli League game where 11,000 spectators filled the arena. "When we play at home, it's like we start every game with a 0-10 advantage," he said.
He argued that forcing Maccabi to play in neutral venues gives opponents an unfair advantage and diminishes the value of the EuroLeague product. Coldebella also addressed the notion that Israel is not part of Europe, pointing to other participating countries like Turkey and Dubai, and highlighted Maccabi's long-standing history in the competition, dating back to its origins as the European Champions Cup.
When asked about his predictions for the Final Four, Coldebella named Olympiacos, Fenerbahce, and Panathinaikos as likely participants. He added that Maccabi would be the fourth team, contingent on their ability to return to playing in Israel, a prospect he hopes for.
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