Maccabi Holds Annual Press Conference

By Amy Samin

Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv held their traditional gala press conference to kick off the new season in the Hall of Fame / VIP Lounge at Nokia Arena. In attendance were the players, professional staff, club management, fans and reporters.

Club chairman Shimon Mizrahi, who is beginning his 46th year with Maccabi, said, “We’re here in this wonderful museum which shows the history of this club from the time of its founding. I think that anyone who comes and sees this museum understands just what this club has accomplished over all these years. We have opened this museum to visitors, and the interest has been above and beyond what we expected.”

“Exactly a year ago we sat here and began a journey into the unknown. We had new players, and we began a journey that, in the end, brought us to Milan – and not alone; there were 10,000 fans from Israel with us. This was an accomplishment like no other, when you go into the quarterfinals without the home court advantage. I think that the team, led by their coaches, went above and beyond.”

“The sale of season tickets for the coming season is almost at an end. Compared to last season, we have broken records, and this season you will see a packed arena full of season ticket holders. I wish everyone a good year and a successful season.”

Head coach Guy Goodes shared his thoughts: “To hold our press conference in the Maccabi Hall of Fame shows our seriousness and tradition. We all feel primed and ready, and we can’t wait for the action to begin. With every beginning there is excitement, and nerves, and that’s a good thing. We had a preparatory tournament in Germany, and it went extremely well. It was very important for unifying the team. As time goes on, everyone will get to know one another, and we will see the kind of basketball we want to see.”

“This will be a team that fights hard, plays together, that plays good defense and strong offense, and has fun. Enjoyment is a part of the game, and when you enjoy what you do usually you are successful. We’ve built the team we wanted, now it’s up to us how we proceed and how we work together. It will be a challenge for me, serving as head coach. I know it will be difficult, but in this club nothing can withstand our determination.”

“We tend to play fast, and try to run at every opportunity. Last season we lacked defensive toughness and athleticism in certain situations. We want to score as many points as possible, as quickly as possible – that’s what we strive for. We have improved in the areas of athleticism and rebounding. In each of the games we played in training camp, the team took 40 rebounds or more. Hopefully, that will help us this season.”

When asked how much playing time the younger players would see, Goodes replied, “Remember, Jake Cohen, who has come back to us [after being loaned out to Rishon Lezion last season], isn’t exactly a 42 year old. As for the others, we’ll give them as many minutes as we can. We need to find the best and surest way to integrate the youngest players into our team. If we succeed, it will be amazing.”

Team captain Guy Pnini said, “We’re starting a new season, and it’s always exciting to start another season with Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv. It’s a new team, but with the same expectations and goals. Although it’s a new team, we also have people who have experience in this club and who know what it takes to be successful, an experienced coaching staff, and players who are returning for their second – or more – season, along with some players who have just arrived this season.”

“We’ve just come back from our training camp in Germany, and for me as captain the most important thing to see was the commitment and the motivation to succeed. I’m sure that for the new players, who have come into this room and seen the grand history of this club, it’s very exciting and helps them understand what kind of club they have joined, and they will do all they can to succeed and have a great season.”