The dawn of a bright new season for Mac TA

• Published date: 23 September 2021
• Author: JOSHUA HALICKMAN
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Just as the yellow-and-blue was about to open up training camp in preparation for the new season, COVID-19 reared its ugly head as five players and a number of staff members came down with the virus.

The coronavirus put head coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos's original plans on ice, one which had included playing in three high-level preseason tournaments with Euroleague-level clubs to get the campaign off on the right foot as the Israeli side readies for its opening Euroleague tilt on September 30 against Bayern Munich.

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But that was not to be as players were placed in quarantine and practices for the full squad only began earlier this week, well behind the rest of the Israeli league teams and certainly in a deep hole compared to other continental teams that it will soon face.

However, almost all seemed to be right when Maccabi tipped-off against Maccabi Rishon Lezion on Wednesday night in their Winner Cup quarterfinal clash. The yellow-and-blue dominated the wine city squad and went on to win 87-68 as it advanced to the semifinals, where it will play Hapoel Jerusalem on Friday afternoon in an early-season Israeli classico.

While winning in these preseason clashes are always good for morale, the games itself and the opportunity to get into game shape in what Sfairopoulos is looking for as the team is going to be expected to do better than it did last season in Euroleague play when it finished 14-20, way outside of the playoff picture.

"I am starting my fourth season at Maccabi, and I am very pleased about it," said Sfairopoulos. "I emphasize this because sometimes you have something valuable in your pocket, but you forget its value. For me, the value of being the head coach of Maccabi always remained high and I will do my best to bring glory to our club.

"We did not start the season as planned, but I do not want to dwell on all the things that happened or look for excuses. We are Maccabi, and we will fight every game like we always do, no matter the circumstances."

Maccabi made a number of high profile signings this offseason, including Derrick Williams, James Nunnally, Jalen Reynolds along with Israeli rising star Iftach Ziv.

"We are very happy to start the new season and I want to thank the effort from management to rebuild the team and bring in new blood to Maccabi," continued the Greek bench-boss. "I am very content as to...