Maccabi Tel Aviv Advances in Winner Cup as Kattash Emphasizes Team Progress
Maccabi Tel Aviv cruised into the Winner Cup semifinals, but coach Oded Kattash stressed that his squad is still a work in progress ahead of the EuroLeague double-week.
Maccabi Tel Aviv advanced to the Winner Cup semifinals with a comfortable victory over Ironi Kiryat Ata, but head coach Oded Kattash focused on the broader picture rather than the margin.
Kattash on Team Progress
Following the match, Kattash analyzed his team's performance and preparation for the upcoming EuroLeague challenges. "We managed to distribute the minutes as we wanted," Kattash said. "However, similar to our first EuroLeague game in France, our first quarter was poor, very scattered, and resembled our first half there."
"I am not a fan of 30-point blowouts, it does not do much for me. But we treat this event as a learning process. I can take a lot of good things, but also things that need improvement."
Assessment of TJ Leaf
Kattash also praised the return of TJ Leaf, emphasizing the mental recovery required after an injury. "TJ is an excellent player who brings us a lot of ability and intelligence. I am glad he is healthy, we waited for him a lot," the coach noted.
On the opposing side, Ironi Kiryat Ata coach Eldad Bentov expressed disappointment with his squad's attitude, acknowledging the steep financial and roster gaps at the start of the season.
