The Maccabi Tel Aviv star, who exploded on Hapoel Tel Aviv with 23 points, pointed out the reason for the quick recovery from the surprising loss on Friday • Attempts to bring Moscow Khimki to Israel, the game on Thursday will be held on time?
Scotty Wilbkin
Photography:
Oded Karni
1.
After two losses last week, Maccabi arrived yesterday (Sunday) ready and focused Derby and almost won easily 69:85 Hapoel Tel Aviv.
"The loss to Gilboa / Galil gave us motivation," said Wilbkin, who actually got a rest in the game on Friday and this time exploded with 23 points in 23 minutes, "they were more prepared and celebrated as if they had won the championship."
At Maccabi, they said that after the loss on Friday, the players talked to each other and explained to each other that they need to know how to stay focused in the games and not lose concentration due to events such as early delays, refereeing decisions and more.
2. The
Yellows still do not know against whom they will play later this week.
As we announced yesterday, until late at night, the obvious direction was that Moscow Khimki would not be able to reach Israel this week, and instead of the game against it, two league games were scheduled - on Wednesday against Maccabi Haifa and on Friday against Hapoel B'Shlosha.
However, at the cabinet meeting an agreement was reached to land private flights with the special approval of the highest echelons in the Ministry of Health.
It is still unclear whether this approval will be enough to bring to Israel the Russian group that suffers from difficult logistical and economic problems.
Both the Euroleague and Maccabi Tel Aviv are interested in doing everything to bring the Russians to Israel, and it is estimated that a final decision on the matter will be made during the day.
"We still do not know who we need to prepare for and what the next game is waiting for us," the team said in frustration, "It's really not easy, but that's what it is and we will try to deal with it."
3.
Omri Caspi, according to a statement the club returned to training and is treated with antibiotics, did not come yesterday the court and is still in serious doubt for the next game (against Maccabi Haifa on Wednesday or Thursday in front of BC Khimki).
In contrast, Sandy Cohen may be on the roster as early as the upcoming game.
4.
Hapoel Tel Aviv were a little disappointed to find out yesterday that despite the recent improvement, there are huge level gaps, which at the current point in time are probably still unbridgeable.
"To win we have to be at our best and have them be on a weak day," Hapoel said before the game.
By the end they already sounded less optimistic: "We want to die," said Bar Timor, "the best thing is we have an important game already on Wednesday and we do not have time to sneak in with the disappointment of this game."
Timur is right.
The game in Wednesday against Bnei Herzliya could mark the path of the two teams that started the season badly and are showing signs of improvement in recent times.
"We have a big game ahead of us, and everyone here understands its importance," concluded coach Yannis Castritis.