The Winner League held a press conference today (Wednesday) at Beit Histadrut ahead of Thursday’s Super Cup (20:55) between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv at Menora Mivtachim Arena.

Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach Oded Katash spoke first about Yam Madar and the matchup with his former team, “We’re proud and happy to open the season, certainly with an interesting game like the one that’s going to take place Thursday. Hapoel Tel Aviv presented a lot of challenges last year and I’m sure they will continue to do so. There will be a lot of interesting matchups, including one with Madar.

“From my brief experience with him as his coach, Yam enjoys himself when he focuses on basketball. We’re still in the early stages of the season and there will also be a more significant distribution of minutes because we’re in the process of getting into shape. At the same time, we need to win.”

On facing Hapoel coach Dimitris Itoudis, with whom he won the EuroLeague as a player at Panathinaikos, Katash said, “I have a lot of respect for Coach Itoudis. Those were really special moments. It was magical, all the memories and the friends you meet from that team.”

Kattash also addressed whether Madar’s familiarity with Hapoel could provide an advantage, “We’re very happy to have him. He’s an excellent player and brings a lot of abilities. The fact that he played for Hapoel Tel Aviv shouldn’t change too much because we’ve played against them so many times. There are almost no secrets. We know all the players personally and how the teams play, so it doesn’t give us an advantage beyond the fact that he’s with us.”

Itoudis said he was excited to begin the season against Maccabi but noted the limited preseason preparation time ahead of the EuroLeague campaign, “We’re proud and very happy to open the season against a very good opponent and team like Maccabi. There isn’t a coach who wouldn’t want a little more time in the preseason and the amount of time we have to get to know the players is becoming shorter because everything is geared toward the start of the EuroLeague. We’re very excited and I hope there will be many meetings between us. I’m happy that we’re in Israel.”

Reflecting on his time coaching Kattash at Panathinaikos, Itoudis added, “I was very proud to have Oded Katash on our side as a player. We worked really well together. It was tricky because he came with his own style of play into our system, but once he understood it, he flourished and brought titles and great moments. He was very coachable.

“Unfortunately, his career ended as we know it. He had another year with us, but our relationship has continued over the years. When Oded decided to become a coach, we talked and met along the way. Everyone wants to win, but there is also respect.”

Itoudis emphasized that Hapoel represents more than just its current roster, “We represent at Hapoel Tel Aviv not our names, but the community. Khadeen [Carrington], who is here, represents his teammates. We represent the community and the history.”

Looking at the bigger picture, Itoudis said the Super Cup would be taken seriously despite the unusual circumstances surrounding Israeli basketball last season, “The league faced difficulties last year but managed to reach its conclusion, and congratulations to everyone on that. We didn’t finish the season with the roster we wanted; circumstances led to that. A title is a title, so we will play for it and take it seriously. Whatever happens, happens. We have players who haven’t played on the European stage.”

Asked about Tamir Blatt who signed a contract with Hapoel, Itoudis said, “Regarding Tamir, I only had one conversation with him throughout the summer. I don’t know all the details regarding his injury, but I know that unfortunately it will keep him out of the team for several weeks. As for the strategy for the future, allow me not to reveal that because it is connected to a strategic move that the club will make in the coming weeks.”

Maccabi guard Gabriel Lundberg, last season’s playoff series MVP against Hapoel, highlighted the importance of preseason preparation and team chemistry, “It’s always nice to have a full preseason with the team. Chemistry is very important in sports. My role doesn’t depend on me but on the coaching staff; I’m just here to help try to win.”

Lundberg added, “Every time you step onto the court, you have to give everything. This is good preparation for the EuroLeague. There will be a lot of mutual respect, but both teams will come to win. It will be fun.”

Khadeen Carrington, last season’s Super Cup MVP with Hapoel Jerusalem against Maccabi, spoke about settling into his new team, “It’s been good. My teammates and the coaching staff have really helped me settle in. I’m focused on where I can help the team.”

Carrington added that the trophy would be taken seriously despite the derby aspect, “Whenever you have the opportunity to play for a title, you have to take it seriously. It’s another opportunity to step onto the court and perform. Besides the fact that it’s a derby, it’s an opportunity to play against a good team.”