Maccabi Tel Aviv is about to begin its EuroLeague campaign, as they'll face Khimki Moscow in Russia. (Thursday, 20:00, live on Sport5). Angelo Caloiaro didn't depart with the team to the Russian capital, as he is still recovering from his injury.
Four Maccabi players will be making their EuroLeague debut (Quincy Acy, Elijah Bryant, Tyler Dorsey, and Sandy Cohen), while Omri Casspi is set for his first EuroLeague action after ten seasons in the NBA. On the other hand, Othello Hunter and Nate Walters will make their first official European appearance under the Yellow & Blue jersey.
On Khimki's side, Coach Rimas Kurtinaitis remodeled his squad adding 11 new players. Sergey Karasev, Chris Kramer, Anthony Gill, Dairis Bertans and 2016 NBA champion Timofey Mozgov, are doubtful because of various injuries.
"The EuroLeague season is about to begin, and we have a tough game because Khimki brought in a lot of new stars", Said coach Giannis Sfairopolous before the team's departure to Russia. "They might have some missing players because of injury, but it doesn't mean they don't have the quality and the experience. They are an excellent offensive team, and defensively they are doing their best".
(Photos: Dov Halickman)
"We need to be very concentrated and focused on playing our game plan. The players need to give their maximum effort because we want to fight until the end. We can't underestimate any of Khimki's players, the ones that were missing because of injuries can come out and cause problems if we don't get ready for them. On the same note, you can say all of that on the healthy players because they are good players. We respect everybody, and we need to be ready for all of them, we are preparing as if Gil and Shved will play, and we will adjust in-game whether they play or not".
Coach emphasized the importance of starting the season strong: "It is important for us, we start the season with two away games (Khimki & Real Madrid) against teams with bigger budgets and high ambitions. We will fight in both games starting against Khimki, and then we will see. When you play an away game, the home team always has the advantage. When you play away games, you always need to fight for your chances. and that's what we will try to do".
Sfairopoulos talked about Khimki's squad: "They spent a lot of money this summer, they brought in talented players from the NBA and experienced EuroLeague players, we need to respect that. On the other hand, we are not afraid, and we'll fight because we are also a good team".
(Photos: Dov Halickman)
"It's a tough matchup, especially in their place in Moscow." Said second-year player, Scottie Wilbekin. "We need to focus mainly on ourselves, we need to improve from our last game and try to work on things we didn't do as well".
Opening the season better than the last one: "With the way we finished last season and the direction we've been going this preseason, I'm optimistic because of that, I know there is no way we can start that bad. It gives me a lot of hope that it won't be like that again. We are all confident and ready to start on a good note".
"Khimki has a pretty new team, so they are new to us on the scouting side. We will see how well they will fit together. Whoever is playing or not, I wish them a speedy recovery. It is what it is, injuries are part of the game, and we need to prepare for the whole team".
(Photos: Dov Halickman)
Four Maccabi players will be making their EuroLeague debut (Quincy Acy, Elijah Bryant, Tyler Dorsey, and Sandy Cohen), while Omri Casspi is set for his first EuroLeague action after ten seasons in the NBA. On the other hand, Othello Hunter and Nate Walters will make their first official European appearance under the Yellow & Blue jersey.
On Khimki's side, Coach Rimas Kurtinaitis remodeled his squad adding 11 new players. Sergey Karasev, Chris Kramer, Anthony Gill, Dairis Bertans and 2016 NBA champion Timofey Mozgov, are doubtful because of various injuries.
"The EuroLeague season is about to begin, and we have a tough game because Khimki brought in a lot of new stars", Said coach Giannis Sfairopolous before the team's departure to Russia. "They might have some missing players because of injury, but it doesn't mean they don't have the quality and the experience. They are an excellent offensive team, and defensively they are doing their best".
(Photos: Dov Halickman)
"We need to be very concentrated and focused on playing our game plan. The players need to give their maximum effort because we want to fight until the end. We can't underestimate any of Khimki's players, the ones that were missing because of injuries can come out and cause problems if we don't get ready for them. On the same note, you can say all of that on the healthy players because they are good players. We respect everybody, and we need to be ready for all of them, we are preparing as if Gil and Shved will play, and we will adjust in-game whether they play or not".
Coach emphasized the importance of starting the season strong: "It is important for us, we start the season with two away games (Khimki & Real Madrid) against teams with bigger budgets and high ambitions. We will fight in both games starting against Khimki, and then we will see. When you play an away game, the home team always has the advantage. When you play away games, you always need to fight for your chances. and that's what we will try to do".
Sfairopoulos talked about Khimki's squad: "They spent a lot of money this summer, they brought in talented players from the NBA and experienced EuroLeague players, we need to respect that. On the other hand, we are not afraid, and we'll fight because we are also a good team".
(Photos: Dov Halickman)
"It's a tough matchup, especially in their place in Moscow." Said second-year player, Scottie Wilbekin. "We need to focus mainly on ourselves, we need to improve from our last game and try to work on things we didn't do as well".
Opening the season better than the last one: "With the way we finished last season and the direction we've been going this preseason, I'm optimistic because of that, I know there is no way we can start that bad. It gives me a lot of hope that it won't be like that again. We are all confident and ready to start on a good note".
"Khimki has a pretty new team, so they are new to us on the scouting side. We will see how well they will fit together. Whoever is playing or not, I wish them a speedy recovery. It is what it is, injuries are part of the game, and we need to prepare for the whole team".
(Photos: Dov Halickman)