Elba Berlin will be Maccabi Tel Aviv's rival Euroleague tonight, but every other day it is the closest club to the Yellows.

• A Maccabi Tel Aviv boys' first team at a tournament in Germany last week

  Photo:

  Eli Yanko

Maccabi Tel Aviv and Elba Berlin, one of the two biggest clubs in German basketball, have been collaborating for more than a decade and have been building a close relationship that is under the radar of basketball fans in Israel.

Before the game between the two that takes place tonight (9pm), "Israel Today" dives into the depths of things to bring the full story behind Israeli-German cooperation.

The relationship between the clubs began in 2010 and is mainly focused on the connection between the youth departments. Every year, a delegation from Alba comes to Israel, which includes a youth group, each time at a different age, who participates in the Tel Aviv International Youth Tournament along with other professionals who exchange knowledge with Maccabi people, conduct joint training and travel around the country specially organized by the Yellows.

And the other way around, once a year, a team from the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Division goes to a tournament in Germany, organized specifically by Elba Berlin. Just last week, a group of boys from A led by Adi Amos, who also coaches the Israeli team until age 14, serves as a scout for Encourage Ketch in the senior team.

The yellows in front of Alba on the hardwood. There is a thought among the clubs to expand the relationship // Photo: Eli Yanko

The Young Yellows won the tournament after three wins in three matches - in the quarterfinals of one of Alba's subsidiaries, in the semifinals on Rasta Vachta (the alumni with Hapoel Jerusalem in the FIBA ​​Champions League) and in the final over Alba Berlin.

"Want to deepen the relationship"

During their stay in Germany, Maccabi professionals tour the Elba training facilities, conduct training sessions and conduct joint professional meetings, where the coaches discuss various professional issues.

"We are very pleased with the cooperation with Maccabi," says Elba Berlin Youth Director General Daniel Anders, "Israel Today". "For us, this is not just about basketball, it is about cultural exchange and developing friendships. Over the past few years, this has had a strong impact on both clubs, especially the people and players who participated in this program. We hope we can deepen the connection in the coming years. "

"Our players get to know new cultures" // Photo: Eli Yanko

Indeed, among the clubs there is a thought to expand the relationship to other professional levels. "Over the years, our coaches have created a relatively professional, and also socially, system with Elba coaches," says Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Department director Alon Ben Zaken. "Our players are learning to get to know new cultures and we see it helping them in professional and personal development "I can tell you that both sides are very happy with this connection, so we intend to continue with that in the years to come."

Janis: "Dangerous Alba"

Janis Spropoulos and his players will get a big boost in the game in Germany with more than 1,000 fans, most of them Israelis and some Israelis living in Germany, in the stands and cheering Maccabi.

"Even before I came to the club, I knew that the team had fans behind it and supporting it," said coach Janis Safropoulos about the expected support for the Mercedes-Benz Arena, "We are very happy that they will be there with us and can hear their voice up to the hardwood. They are our sixth player in the games as well. Outside and not just in the Hall. I hope we win and we will make them happy. "

The coach also referred to the opponent: "Alba is a good team that comes without pressure, which is dangerous. We need to be focused and play hard and tough on defense and attack, play smart and stick to our game plan. I told players not to think that because the previous game against Alba was supposedly easy, it would be similar Time".

Good news comes from the direction of Guard Knight Walters, who should be on the roster for the game and may get a few minutes after more than a month off the field.

Knight Walters. Should return to faculty // Photo: Alan Shaver