The new model of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv will kick off its 2022/23 campaign on Saturday (3 pm Israel time, live broadcast on Sport 5), with a first training game against Villeurbanne, in Paris tournament. On Sunday, Maccabi will play another game, against Paris Basketball.

"We are happy to take part in Paris tournament," said the Yellows coach, Oded Kattash, who will also participate in a training workshop together with Villeurbanne's coach, TJ Parker. "This is a high-level tournament with great teams and it's a very good opportunity for us to shape our system, our basketball identity, and work on our characteristics as a team".

Maccabi started training a few weeks ago, without five players who currently take part in the Eurobasket: Guy Pnini, Roman Sorkin, Jake Cohen,  Rafi Manko, and Lorenzo Brown who plays for the Spanish national team.

Maccabi's opponent on Saturday, Villeurbanne, finished last season in 14th place in the Euroleague, with 8 wins and 20 losses record. The club which is owned by NBA legend Tony Parker, added some familiar faces this summer and is led by none other than Nando de Colo.

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The new model of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv made its first appearance today in Paris tournament. The Yellows lost 82:86 to French powerhouse Villeurbanne in their first preparation game for 2022/23 but provided many reasons for optimism.

On Sunday (5:15 pm Israel time) Maccabi will face the tournament's host, Paris Basketball, in its second and last game in the tournament.

Maccabi's scorers: Darrun Hilliard and John DiBartolomeo 14 points, Wade Baldwin (6 assists) and Bonzie Colson (6 rebounds) 12 points, Alex Poythress 11 points (8 rebounds), Jarell Martin and Josh Nebo 7 points, Austin Hollins 3, Yiftach Ziv 2.

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