Maccabi Tel Aviv beat ASVEL Villeurbanne 92-84 this Thursday in what was more than a match. It was the return of the Euroleague to Israel. It had been 798 days since a match of the highest continental competition had been seen in Hebrew territory. The last one dated from October 5, 2023, when the Maccabean team received Partizan. Two days later, the infamous Hamas attacks ended the normality of the country and, of course, also that of European basketball.
Israel's offensive in Gaza, where it has perpetrated a genocide, began, but Hebrew clubs continued to participate in international competitions. Yes, exiles. Maccabi established its residence in Belgrade and since then had played its home games at the Aleksandar Nikolic Hall. Hapoel Tel Aviv, debuting this season in the Euroleague, has played its matches in Bulgaria.
Lonnie Walker gives a pass in the game against ASVEL.
The two Israeli teams asked the Euroleague to return home once the war experiences something resembling a truce. This Thursday, the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv once again hosted a match. The 10,169 seats sold out at full speed. One of the hottest fans in Europe wanted basketball.
In each seat, a yellow t-shirt with the motto 'We're back': We are back. On the video scoreboard, another message: This is our house. From the center of the court, the words of Omri Miran, one of those kidnapped that terrible October 7 and that he was released after two years.
Emotion on the surface
Emotion on the surface for much more than an encounter. “It wasn't a basketball thing. It was very exciting and special,” Oded Katash said after the game. “Two years is an exaggeration, but it seemed like a lot longer. Being back home is another sign that we are getting back to normal.”. I hope we start to get used to it,” said the coach. And, on top of that, victory for Maccabi with great performances from Lonnie Walker (29 points) and local idol Roman Sorkin (26 plus seven rebounds and four blocks).
Two years is an exaggerated figure, but it seemed much longer. Having returned home is another sign that we are returning to normal
This Tuesday, European basketball had already returned to Israel with the dispute of the Hapoel Jerusalem-Veolia Towers Hamburg of the Eurocup. Now the Euroleague has also returned to apparent normality. Next week, with a double matchday, debutant Hapoel will play its first home game in its short history in the competition. It will be December 16.
Two days later, Valencia Basket will visit Tel Aviv to face Maccabi. The Taronjas will be the only Spanish team in the top competition that has to visit Israel. Real Madrid, Barcelona and Baskonia have already played at home and in exile against the two Hebrew teams.
