1. A lot of emotions erupted in the locker room of Maccabi Tel Aviv after the 87:76 loss last night (Tuesday) to Real Madrid, which finished the European season for the Yellows.
"Everyone is disappointed with how we finished the playoffs because we really believed it could be done," say Maccabi Tel Aviv. "But on the other hand we are very proud of the second part of the season and the run we made to reach the playoffs."
"I am sad but also proud," Avi Even added.
"We wanted to take this game. I felt we left everything on the pitch, but we played against a very good team and we couldn't beat them."
The coach was asked whether in light of the big differences discovered in the series between the teams, it could be that the current team's place is not in the playoffs, and only because of the situation created with the Russian teams, Maccabi managed to slip into the last eight.
"We made 17 wins without the Russians and 18 with them, it would probably have lifted us to the playoffs anyway. We deserve to be in the playoffs anyway, we did not finish fifth because we are nice, but we beat Real Madrid, Milan, Barcelona away, Fenerbahce here And more victories.
I feel proud of the way we did, I am proud of what we did, proud of the players, along with the sadness, we played against one of the best teams in Europe.
All around were crowned, but we stayed modest all the time and hungry, this is the way we want to be until the end of the season.
"Of course we deserve the place we came to," Even replied, and those present in the press conference room even seemed to have tears in their eyes.
Avi Even.
Thanks to him for the way he did with the Yellows, Photo: Alan Schieber
By the way, after the game, the yellow coach received an unpleasant message from a fan who was disappointed following the loss and the sweep by Real Madrid.
2. The European season is over, and now Maccabi Tel Aviv will count the handsome profits it made this year from the Euroleague. .
Due to its professional achievements, Maccabi will bring in at least another 450,000 euros, with the final amount to be determined after all the series are over and it will be clear who the teams that qualified for the Final Four are.
It should be noted that the amounts may increase slightly after the Euroleague management decides at the end of the season how to divide the amounts that the Russian teams were supposed to receive.
3. Angelo Cloiaro came to the press conference at the end of the game and spoke candidly about it could have been his last game in the Euroleague in the yellow uniform: "I thought it could be my last game here in the Euroleague. I am 32-33, this is my tenth season as a professional "I like playing for Maccabi, and it could be the end of my chapter here. I thank you for all the opportunities I got here."
Cloiaro.
"It could be the end of my episode here," Photo: Alan Schieber
4. The Real Madrid people warned the players before the game of the warm and hostile reception that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans prepare for them. Coach Pablo Lasso told the players that for moments like this they play basketball and should come and enjoy the atmosphere.
The players listened to their coach and shortly after the final whistle had already boarded the bus on the way to the airport where the plane that took off at around 01:20 at night directly to Madrid was waiting for them.
And in the end, Real also celebrated big, Photo: Alan Schieber
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