Maccabi Tel Aviv Criticized for Poor Defense in Derby Loss
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Maccabi Tel Aviv faced severe criticism for its poor defensive performance during a derby match against Hapoel Tel Aviv on November 1, 2026. Observers on social media described Maccabi as looking like a "reserve team" and questioned coach Oded Katash's ability to lead the team at a high level. Hapoel scored 60 points in the first half, highlighting Maccabi's defensive struggles.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Maccabi Tel Aviv's defense was heavily criticized following a derby loss to Hapoel Tel Aviv.
- Social media users described Maccabi as appearing like a "reserve team" for Hapoel.
- Hapoel Tel Aviv scored 60 points in the first half of the game.
- Coach Oded Katash's suitability for a EuroLeague level was questioned by critics.
- The team's defensive lapses were noted as a recurring problem.
- The article reflects reactions from November 1, 2026, to the basketball game.
Following a disappointing performance in a derby match, fans and observers have heavily criticized the Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball team, particularly its defense and coaching. The team appeared to be significantly outplayed by Hapoel Tel Aviv, with social media reactions highlighting the stark contrast in performance.
One of the most common sentiments expressed was that Maccabi looked like a "reserve team" for Hapoel, with one user stating, "I've never seen Hapoel arrive first to every ball in the derby like tonight." The team's defensive struggles were a major point of contention, as Hapoel managed to score 60 points in the first half alone, including an impressive 12 three-pointers out of 15 attempts.
Critics questioned the coaching of Oded Katash, with several users suggesting he is not at a EuroLeague level. "Katash is not a EuroLeague level coach, you can't concede 60 in a half," one tweet read. Another user added, "With such defense, Oded Katash cannot coach any team in the EuroLeague. He simply isn't at EuroLeague level." The sentiment was that the team's defensive lapses were a recurring issue, with one fan lamenting, "59 points in a half and it doesn't matter against whom, Katash go learn defense... I'm fed up because it repeats itself every game."
The article, published on November 1, 2026, captures the immediate reactions to the game, indicating that the derby was far from over but the disparity in play was already evident. The consensus among commenters was that Maccabi's defense needed a drastic improvement if they hoped to compete.
