Article by David Istrate – Published Friday, December 12, 2025, 09:51 / Updated Friday, December 12, 2025 09:55
After more than two years of being forced to play in Belgrade, the Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball team returned to Israel and hosted the confrontation with LDLC ASVEL, from the 15th round of the Euroleague, managing to get their 5th win of the season: 92-84.
Shortly after the cease-fire signed between Israel and Hamas, Euroleague Basketball made the decision to allow Israeli teams to host games on their home turf, becoming one of the first sports organizations to do so.
In front of 10,000 spectators, Maccabi Tel Aviv beat LDLC ASVEL: “A great atmosphere”
Thursday, December 11, more than 10,000 spectators witnessed the duel between Maccabi Tel Aviv and LDLC ASVEL. It was an emotional and special evening for the most famous club in Israel, which over the years has become famous for the relationship between fans and players.
In fact, a good part of the budget of the basketball team in the capital of Israel was provided by the large number of tickets and subscriptions sold to the supporters. So, in the last two years, after the move to Serbia, caused by the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas, Maccabi Tel Aviv suffered and went from a playoff team to the last positions in the Euroleague.
Returning home, Oded Kattash's team won a balanced match with the French LDLC ASVEL and won 92-84. taking advantage of the excellent development of Lonnie Walker IV (29 points, 9 rebounds) and Roman Sorkin (26 points, 7 rebounds).
“Tonight, it's hard for me to sum up this game in just basketball. Tonight wasn't about basketball — it was really special for us. We were very emotional,” Kattash said, according to the Euroleague's official website.
“I'm happy to have been here and experienced a great, crazy atmosphere created by our fans. That's why it was so important to get the win. It wasn't our best basketball, but we found a way“, added the coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv.
5October 2023 is the date of the last match played by Maccabi Tel Aviv in the famous Menora Mivtachim arena, score 96-81 against Partizan Belgrade
Maccabi Tel Aviv transferred a pivot who played at U-BT Cluj-Napoca
Thanks to this result, the Israeli team reached a record of 5 wins and 10 losses and occupies the 17th position in the Euroleague ranking.
During this week, Maccabi Tel Aviv made a surprising transfer. Zach Hankinsthe pivot who played in the 2024-2025 season for U-BT Cluj-Napoca, was “stolen” by Maccabi de Granada, a team from the Spanish championship, and will debut in the Euroleague.
Kattash's next group game will be on Tuesday, December 16 against Dubai Basketball.
