Maccabi Tel Aviv Faces Character Test in European Derby vs. Hapoel

Maccabi Tel Aviv will host Hapoel Tel Aviv in Limassol, Cyprus, on Thursday for their third Tel Aviv derby in under two weeks, this time in the EuroLeague. Maccabi will play their home EuroLeague games in Cyprus until games can resume in Israel. The two teams have split their previous two official meetings this season, with Hapoel winning in the league and Maccabi securing a dramatic comeback victory in the Winner Cup final just three days prior.

Maccabi is looking to build on their recent dramatic win, which saw them overcome a 23-point deficit, as they face a different challenge in the EuroLeague. The team's current EuroLeague standing is poor, with a 2-8 record placing them 18th. Before their recent cup victory, Maccabi had lost six consecutive games across all competitions, and the club hopes the derby win will be a turning point. "The victory managed to instill confidence and optimism, especially after the situation we entered the game in, and we managed to get out of it," a club source stated.

The team acknowledges Hapoel as a challenging EuroLeague opponent with a deep roster. Maccabi has prepared for potential lineup variations from Hapoel due to different player registrations for European competitions. Captain John DiBartolomeo stated, "We are preparing for the derby as we prepare for any game. Every game is different and we are coming off a crazy game. We expect them to react, and we are ready for it. Both teams know each other, know what to expect, there will be adjustments here and there."

All Maccabi players are fit for the game, with particular hopes for continued strong performances from Jimmy Clark, Kition Wallace, and Daniel Theis, who were key in the recent comeback. Coach Oded Katash has emphasized the importance of starting aggressively and efficiently to avoid falling behind early, as they did in the last derby. New guard Kamar Baldwin, recently signed from Bayern Munich, will not play in this game but is expected to join the team next week, potentially for the game against Olympiacos.

Significant Israeli fan presence is expected in Limassol, with an estimated 1,500-2,000 spectators. Security measures will be heightened. Maccabi hopes the proximity to Israel will boost home crowd attendance. The team will also be accompanied by local scouts from the global scouting movement. MYMALL Limassol has signed a sponsorship deal with the club for the current season.