Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv held its traditional celebratory press conference to kick off the new season. Blatt: “I hope that together we can do special things this year.”
By Amy Samin
Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv held its traditional celebratory press conference to kick off the new season.
The speakers included the principals of the team, the head coach, the CEO of Electra, and a representative from Channel 10.
Shimon Mizrahi, Chairman of the Board of Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv, said during the press conference: “Significant changes were made this year.
David Blatt has come home, and he is someone who understands the Maccabi organization very well.
I can tell you that we have a unified team with an Israeli flavor.
We are proud that Lior Eliyahu and Tal Burstein have returned to us from Spain.
We have a not insignificant number of Israeli players this year, and it’s possible to say that they formed the foundation of the Israeli national team this past summer.”
Regarding Megiddo/Yokneam, we believe in working with the community.
It’s mainly Guy Pnini’s doing.
Five or six years ago, there was a debate over whether or not to release Pnini, I requested that Shimon ask the coaches whether Guy would play in the line-up, and the answer was ‘no chance.’
He went to Jerusalem and a lot of effort was made to get him back.”
“We need to take care of our youth.
Dozens of youths disappear into various teams.
We want to keep track of them and see who is capable of playing for Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv.
The combination of helping the community and keeping an eye on our young players can be a successful one.”
In his remarks, David Blatt said, “I am happy to return to this organization.
We’re a family, and we will try to bring honor to this great club.
I hope that together we can do special things this year.
We don’t run from any challenge and we can be in contention for every possible title.
We have the ability.
On paper, it’s impossible to say we’re the best in Europe, but we have the potential and we have the players.
During the preseason we saw an excellent team.
We’re not at our peak yet.
The new staff needs time to reach a good level of performance.
The guys are working very hard.
We’ll improve, we’ll move forward, and we will be a strong team.”
“The truth is vastly different from what I read and hear all the time.
This hounding is not appropriate.
I don’t think 13 players are too many.
We usually see teams with 15 or 16.
We have a lot of players who can play several positions.
I need to find the solutions.
We have the resources, and together we will deliver the goods in every way.”
“The league has greatly improved in quality this year.
We have exciting and challenging games and that benefits all of the teams, not just Maccabi.
For this reason we have an extensive staff that faces a big challenge, and not just against Jerusalem or Gilboa/Galil.”
Before the press conference, Lior Eliyahu said, “I hope that very soon we will understand in which direction the team is headed.
Success?
We’ll see at the end of the season.
We need to improve and be cohesive.
I’ve come to Maccabi in the position of another player, and I need to do more things beyond what I’m used to doing up until now.
I’m a part of the team, the professional staff will decide how much.”
Guy Pnini commented, “We’re not 100% ready yet.
The season will be starting very soon, but we’re still in the learning stages.
There are new players, a new coach.
It’ll take time.
We’ve had two training camps, and I think we’ll play well against Gilboa/Galil.
Europe isn’t a bonus; we have definite goals in the Euroleague.
The Israeli League is our bread and butter, and we need to take things one step at a time.”
Doron Perkins added, “I enjoy being in Maccabi.
I’ve already been in the high levels, but with Maccabi there are tremendous expectations.
I’m getting used to Coach’s system and learning the type of game.
Yes, there’s pressure here, especially after the loss of the championship last season.”
