Maccabi Tel Aviv Stumbles to Worst EuroLeague Start with Loss in Athens

Maccabi Tel Aviv suffered a heavy 90-67 defeat to Panathinaikos in Athens, marking their worst EuroLeague start since the competition's establishment in 2000. With three consecutive losses to open the European campaign, the yellow-and-blue squad displayed a disjointed offense, a porous defense, and a concerning lack of energy.

A Disastrous Start in Athens

Reflecting on the dismal performance, team sources admitted that even during past weak seasons, the team did not look this lackluster. Head coach Oded Kattash pointed out the excessive turnovers and defensive lapses that completely drained the team's momentum. Despite missing injured center Daniel Theis, key players such as Bonzie Colson, Iffe Lundberg, and Jaylen Howard failed to make an impact on either end of the floor.

"We didn't play well. There were many minutes where we didn't execute properly, and numerous turnovers completely took the wind out of our sails. We need to believe in what we are doing and find a way to win a single game to give us confidence," Kattash stated after the match.

Looking Ahead Under Pressure

Maccabi has already returned to Israel and faces a crucial matchup against Hapoel Jerusalem in the Winner Cup semifinals, followed by a home fixture against Milan in Belgrade. The team understands the urgent need to rectify their mistakes, stay united, and turn their early-season momentum around before the crisis deepens.