Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv will face Hapoel Holon tomorrow (Thursday 20:00 CET) in the 58th Israeli Cup finals. The yellows who are aiming for their ninth consecutive cup and 45th overall will play against Coach Shamir's team without Jonah Bolden and Art Parakhouski.
"Semifinals are never easy" said Coach Neven Spahija, "our opponent in the finals (Holon) is a very good team. I think we played a mediocre game in the semifinals and missed a lot of open shots. Ashdod who's a great rebounding team, took more rebounds than us. I don't think my players has an attitude problem, I fully trust my players and have complete faith in them it's going to be a great game and we will come ready".
Coach Spahija added: "it's important for us to limit Glen Rice Jr. but he's not the only key, is it realistic to limit him? Yes, but I don't know to what extent. We remember our last game against them, Glen wasn't the only player who scored they have great scorers. It doesn't matter if Maccabi won 8 consecutive cups, I always feel pressure and it's true for every coach, if you're a coach who doesn't feel pressure then something is wrong".
Holon's Coach, Dan Shamir said: "Maccabi is one of the best high-pace teams in Europe. We also playing a high pace, therefore, we will not try to slow down the game. It's hard to maintain a high quality while playing in such a high tempo".
Shlomi Harrush addressed having Glen Rice Jr. on his side: "A top level player has arrived here, not everything is up to him, we also have other good players, and the fact that he is doing a good job is also helping others".
"Semifinals are never easy" said Coach Neven Spahija, "our opponent in the finals (Holon) is a very good team. I think we played a mediocre game in the semifinals and missed a lot of open shots. Ashdod who's a great rebounding team, took more rebounds than us. I don't think my players has an attitude problem, I fully trust my players and have complete faith in them it's going to be a great game and we will come ready".
Coach Spahija added: "it's important for us to limit Glen Rice Jr. but he's not the only key, is it realistic to limit him? Yes, but I don't know to what extent. We remember our last game against them, Glen wasn't the only player who scored they have great scorers. It doesn't matter if Maccabi won 8 consecutive cups, I always feel pressure and it's true for every coach, if you're a coach who doesn't feel pressure then something is wrong".
Holon's Coach, Dan Shamir said: "Maccabi is one of the best high-pace teams in Europe. We also playing a high pace, therefore, we will not try to slow down the game. It's hard to maintain a high quality while playing in such a high tempo".
Shlomi Harrush addressed having Glen Rice Jr. on his side: "A top level player has arrived here, not everything is up to him, we also have other good players, and the fact that he is doing a good job is also helping others".