The newly-crowned Euroleague Champions, Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv, were welcomed today (Wednesday) to the official residence of President Shimon Peres. Peres: “I ask that both Davids stay with Maccabi.” Mizrahi: “The players are the country’s ambassadors.”
By Amy Samin
The newly-crowned Euroleague Champions, Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv, were welcomed today (Wednesday) to the official residence of President Shimon Peres. Club president, Mr. Shimon Mizrahi, addressed the gathering first, saying, “Mr. President, it is a great honor for us to be invited to your residence, and we greatly appreciate it. We realize that the country does not always recognize achievements, and it is definitely an honor for us.”
“You, the Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv basketball team, are the state of Israel’s best ambassadors to the world. We defeated two excellent teams. This marvelous team, with their coach David Blatt and his assistants and every single one of the players are a big part of this achievement. Thank you, Mr. President, for this occasion.”
Next Head Coach David Blatt spoke, also thanking the President, “The honor and the enjoyment are ours, being welcomed to the President’s residence. I would like to speak to you personally, Mr. President. We in sports search for role models to provide us with inspiration. Your personal example is an example for everyone.”
“In sports, we try to do what we do with respect, and to show the young generation what we hope to achieve through hard work and respect. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the personal example you give us. We will always do everything we can to represent the country in the best possible way and to provide an example to young people.”
Team captain Guy Pnini added, “I want to thank the President for the honor of being hosted here. It is a great honor for us. We left on our mission as ambassadors of the country, and we completed it in the best and most honorable way possible, as we were raised in a country with values and respect.”
“The most important thing was to see thousands of Israelis in Milan happy and walking together. When we landed, we realized how much joy we have brought to the country. That is the most exciting thing. That you are hosting us here is the biggest form of recognition. I am very excited to be here, and I am sure my teammates are, too.”
President Shimon Peres, who was the first to call Coach Blatt in Milan to congratulate him on his achievement, continued to bestow congratulations. “You have been invited here not so that country may be congratulated, but so that I may express the country’s gratitude to you. What you have brought us is an extraordinary event. One cannot organize such a thing, and it is not something that happens every day.”
“You are indeed the best ambassadors to the state of Israel,” Peres continued, referring to then-President Chaim Herzog’s statement in after the club’s first championship victory in 1977 that Maccabi is the best ambassador in the world. “The country was in need of some true joy. The happiness was extraordinary.”
Peres also took the time to analyze what he saw in the Final game against Real Madrid. “I would like to make a few comments, not as an expert but as a faithful viewer. In the Final, you played as a team, and that was outstanding. The second thing is that each one of you fought. It was an uplifting event. There are none like you.”
The President also congratulated Maccabi’s coach: “David Blatt, you were not spared criticism this season, but you remained steadfast the entire way. You behaved as you should behave. I admit, I nearly had a heart attack. It was unbelievable. It is an honor to share this achievement with you.”
After lifting the trophy together with the team, President Peres concluded the event with a special request: “I want to take advantage of this moment, and make an appeal to both Davids [Blatt and Blu]. Stay here at home and keep up the good work. That would be the greatest gift you could give the state of Israel.”
