Maccabi Tel Aviv held their annual season opener press conference ahead of the first Euroleague game of the campaign coming up on Thursday night. The yellow-and-blue chairman Shimon Mizrachi along with the club’s new CEO Modi Peled as well as head coach Oded Katash and a variety of players commented on what new new season holds for the club which will see them once again playing their home continental clashes away from Yad Eliyahu in Belgrade, Serbia due to the security situation in the country.

“We are entering a very challenging year in our country,” Mizrachi began. “Many industries including sports have felt the affects with not having fans at games and not being able to host international contests. However, we are managing these challenges and we hope that all of the hostages come home and then we can also return to playing back here as well. Many of the import players who were here the past two years have left but the professional staff had been able to bring in some excellent players who have gotten together and become a unit. I want to wish a Shana Tova to everyone.”

Peled added, “I’m here as the CEO of Maccabi Tel Aviv in a very difficult time that has effected our entire country as well as sports throughout the country. As one of the leading clubs in Israel and around the world, Maccabi Tel Aviv is not just a sports club but much more than that especially during these times. We have done a tremendous amount for the communities across the country and hope that better days are ahead for all of us.”

Maccabi Head Coach Oded Katash commented as well, “It’s never easy to find the right words at a moment like this and last year after this press conference everything was turned upside down. The country is going through much more than what we have been going through since October 7th. We needed to leave our home and we didn’t know what would be but we stayed together and a lot of credit has got go to the players and staff that really helped pull everyone together and that was our strength. We were able to get through many difficulties and had moments where we brought plenty of pride.”

“We needed to rebuild the team and we did just that as we head into the new season. But we have to keep everything in proportion and we know that basketball is not the most important thing but it is for so many people and we hope that all of the hostages return home soon. Shana Tova.”

The bench boss spoke about the expectations that teh team is facing with what is a new squad, “It’s a fairly new team and there are always expectations but we also know it’s up to us and it’s not easy for me to say how things will look right now and there is a lot of work to do, so I can’t guarantee anything. But what I can guarantee is that we will do our utmost to do our best and give it out all. The EuroLeague has gotten better and we know that we will need to ensure that we compete at the highest of levels.”

Katash also talked about the satisfaction he has being on the bench for Maccabi, “When I arrived here at Maccabi it was something that I really wanted. I have to give credit to Maccabi for allowing me to begin my third season at the club and to be a coach in the EuroLeague is being a coach at the top levels. I am at a place where I want to be and I would obviously like things to be a bit different but we have to take the situation in the country in proportion.”

Being a part of Maccabi also is a responsibility as Katash commented on the saying of, “Never underestimate the spirit of Maccabi” – “I am proud of that and Shimon deserves a lot of credit about that and we have know what our responsibility is here as a part of Maccabi. What we are going through as an Israeli we know that we can come out of this even stronger.”

Jake Cohen spoke about having to play in Belgrade once again and not being able to play in front of their fans, “It’s an extraordinary challenge not to play here because our fans are here, everyone knows what type of influence the fans have on the team. I am happy that I can play basketball and I want to continue to be grateful for that as the fans will not be here. It’s a challenge but it’s also a reason why I want to bring the games back to Tel Aviv, not just to win, but for people to watch us and enjoy.”

Finally, Roman Sorkin shared his thoughts on how he will continue to improve as he is now one of the veteran members of the squad. “I think the most important thing is what I’ve done so far and what brought me here to this point in my career, I want to continue to improve and there are players that who have helped me develop and with time I am continuing to learn. I want to keep doing what I have been doing and things will fall into place for me but most importantly for the team.”