Maccabi Tel Aviv will look to punch their ticket to the Euroleague playoffs when they tip-off against Zalgiris in Lithuania on Thursday night (20:00 Israel time). The Yellow & Blue enter the contest at Kaunus with a 19-13 record and just inches away from playing in the postseason for the second straight season, however, the Zalgirio Arena won’t be an easy place to play for Oded Katash’s squad.

With 15,000 rabid fans supporting the hosts in arguably one of the most difficult places to play, Zalgiris who sits at 17-15 in 9th place will also try to find a way into the quarterfinals which will make this matchup one of the most exciting and intriguing clashes of the campaign. The last time the two sides faced each other was in the opening round of the league back in October where Maccabi just slipped by Zalgiris 84-83.

Maccabi who currently find themselves in 5th place can clinch a playoff spot should they either defeat Zalgiris or if one of Partizan Belgrade or Baskonia loses making the penultimate round even that more intriguing.

“Every game over the past few months has had great significance for us and we are taking it game by game but we know that this is a big game for us,” forward Bonzie Colson explained. “We are excited and there will be a great atmosphere so if we play as we have been playing and keep up the momentum we will be fine.”

Center Josh Nebo who has come into his own of late played last season at Zalgriis and will be aiming his first trip back to the club that have him his first taste of Euroleague action.

“I am excited to go back to Kaunas, see the fans and see some familiar faces. Basketball is a game of highs and lows, and personally it’s going well for me now. It’s a big challenge, they are a good team playing well right now. We have to go out there and match their energy.”

Bench boss Oded Katash also is very well aware as to the challenge that stands in front of his team, “A very challenging game against a great home-court team. They are in great shape, fighting for the playoffs, so it’s never easy. The most important thing is to cut their cheap points, the offensive rebounds and the running game. That’s what we try to focus on.”

The defensive side of the game will be crucial for Maccabi as they look to find a way to the promised land, “We have grown and it comes down to our defense and getting stops and running in transition. If we can continue playing our game and moving the ball I think we will be in good shape.”

But just as they game is important for Maccabi it is equally if not more so for the Zalgiris as they will be hosting the Final Four in May. They want to win as much as or even more than the Yellow & Blue as the likes of one-time Maccabi Rishon Le’Zion guard Isaiah Taylor, Ignas Brazdeikis who was just on the Euroleague Podcast, The Crossover with Joe Arlukas or Lukas Lekavicius and Rolands Smits will lay it all out on line for their team and fanbase.

“It’s very important for them and the Final Four will be played there, so it’s clear,” Katash noted. “They hit their shots and play very well at home and they are truly one of the bets home teams especially over the last while and this is going to be a game with a lot of post-ups, plenty of motion and they are very aggressive on defense. With that in mind, Jerusalem was an excellent game for us to prepare for they game and could be helpful against Zalgiris.”

Maccabi won’t be alone in Lithuania as plenty of fans will be accompanying the club on the road which on the Passover holiday and Seder night is something that can’t be taken for granted.

“The last time I think the last time Seder night was outside of Israel was at the 2000 Final Four,” Katash recalled. “With that, I want to wish everyone a Happy Holiday and o our fans who are always with us and those who are with us here on the Holiday on Seder night with their families is really exciting.”