The game of the season: Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv will be hosted by Alba Berlin on Thursday in a head-to-head battle for a spot in the Euroleague quarterfinals. Goodes: “Our goal is crystal clear: to win and qualify for the Top 8.”
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By Amy Samin
The game of the season: Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv will be hosted by Alba Berlin on Thursday (9 p.m. Israeli time) in a head-to-head battle for a spot in the Euroleague quarterfinals. Goodes: “Our goal is crystal clear: to win and qualify for the Top 8.”
All possible scripts for the last round of the Top 16:
1. A win for Maccabi in Berlin guarantees the third place spot
2. A loss for Maccabi in Berlin and a loss for Panathinaikos at Red Star Belgrade guarantee Maccabi the fourth place spot
3. A loss for Maccabi in Berlin and a win for Panathinaikos at Red Star Belgrade mean the end of Maccabi’s season in the Euroleague
2. A loss for Maccabi in Berlin and a loss for Panathinaikos at Red Star Belgrade guarantee Maccabi the fourth place spot
3. A loss for Maccabi in Berlin and a win for Panathinaikos at Red Star Belgrade mean the end of Maccabi’s season in the Euroleague
Head coach of the reigning Euroleague Champions, Guy Goodes, said, “We know this is an all-or-nothing game; it worked out that way for the first time in a lot of years, an away game for the whole thing. Usually, eight wins is enough to qualify for the semi-finals, but not this time. We’ll go into the game as prepared as we can be, as strong as we can be. And our goal is crystal clear: to win and to qualify for the Top 8. We’ll have to match Alba’s level of aggression, and if we control the pace and don’t turn the ball over, we’ll have a good chance of winning.”
When asked about Sylven Landesberg’s condition, Goodes responded, “He took part in a full practice with contact. He’ll practice again today, and it could be we’ll get another player we can make use of.” When asked whether it was the right game to reintroduce Landesberg into the roster following his injury, considering how aggressively Alba plays, Goodes answered, “I don’t know. It could be he’ll need to play for a few minutes, and we’ll see how things develop. It’s going to be a very aggressive game.”
Devin Smith, who recently signed a three-year extension of his contract with Maccabi, said, “It’s a privilege and a blessing to be able to continue my career here in Maccabi. As for the game in Berlin, it’s win or go home. Everyone understands the importance of this game, and we’re preparing accordingly. It’s going to be a fight from start to finish. Two hours of work, and we’ll give it all we have in that time period. We’re going to leave it all out there on the court, and give everything we have in that situation.”
Team captain Yogev Ohayon added, “It’s a winner-take-all game against a very aggressive team. We are very familiar with this opponent, and we know what to expect. We’ve prepared as best we can, and we’re going to have to play exceptional defense against Alba. They specialize in plays that go down to the final seconds of the 24 second clock.”
Nate Linhart commented, “It’s the last chance for both teams to advance to the quarterfinals. We’re pretty confident, because this season we’ve already been in situations like this. We’re going to have to be really good to beat Alba; they’re in great shape. We have to play our game and not let them set the tempo. We’ll need to run as much as possible on offense and defense, and be just as aggressive as they are.”
