Maccabi Tel Aviv Completes Stunning Comeback to Win Winner Cup

Maccabi Tel Aviv secured their 12th Winner Cup title on Monday, defeating Hapoel Tel Aviv 86-75 in a dramatic derby. The victory came after a string of six consecutive losses across all competitions, with the team in a complex professional and mental state, desperately needing a win and signs of revival.

The game mirrored Maccabi's season struggles: a decent start followed by lapses in concentration, quick points conceded, missed shots, offensive and defensive difficulties, and turnovers. However, unlike previous games, this time the narrative ended differently. Trailing by as many as 23 points, and with familiar losing scenarios playing out, Maccabi staged an extraordinary comeback to win.

Coach Oded Katash described the game as "exceptional, even extreme," emphasizing the team's refusal to give up, attributing the turnaround to player belief and strong crowd support. He noted that the comeback couldn't be explained solely by basketball terms. The win contrasted sharply with a recent humiliating derby loss, with players receiving cheers instead of boos and curses.

Players expressed that the win came "from the lowest and deepest place," acknowledging a long-standing issue of quickly losing games. Katash detailed the tactical shift to three guards and adjusted spacing in the second half, which reignited their offense. Key players in the comeback included Keaton Wallace (16 points, 5 rebounds) and Daniel Theis (16 points, 4 rebounds), with Jalen Clark leading Maccabi with 24 points and earning MVP honors.

Maccabi now aims to leverage this momentum for their upcoming EuroLeague derby on Thursday. The team was granted a day off to recover and prepare mentally. Katash acknowledged that the team's underlying issues haven't vanished but expressed hope that the win would provide the necessary confidence. Team manager Ami Biton delivered a motivational speech before the game, highlighting the significance of the derby and the title.

Following the game, Biton exchanged words with Hapoel Tel Aviv owner Ofer Yanai, referencing a previous comment about Maccabi needing more players by stating Hapoel now needs "heart and a coach."