© Kolb
Two weeks after their away win at Hapoel, Bayern basketball players return to Tel Aviv, this time for the EuroLeague's 28th matchday clash with Israel's record champions Maccabi. Following their impressive win at Red Star Belgrade, the hosts remain level on points with Bayern (12:15), who have won six of their last eight games. The game tips off at 8:05 p.m. (MagentaSport) on Thursday in the Menora Mivtachim Arena, which is sure to be packed with 10.000 fans. The next home game is on Shrove Tuesday (6:30 p.m., BMW Park), the dress rehearsal for the BMW TOP FOUR semi-final against Bamberg (4 p.m., SAP Garden) the following Saturday.
Maccabi has been playing in Tel Aviv again since December and is still undefeated there in four games since then. Last week's dramatic 83:82 win at playoff contenders Red Star was a real statement. With the 95:93 home win against Partizan Belgrade before that, they picked up two wins in the double week – just like Bayern, who have racked up four wins in a row. They won the first leg at the beginning of January 95:71 after a complete performance.
FCBB with four wins in a row
US guard Jimmy Clark (7.9 ppg, 3.8 apg) was outstanding for Maccabi in the double week with a total of 43 points. In his position, Iffe Lundberg is the most dangerous scorer with a season average of 10.9 points after Lonnie Walker (15.3) was absent in recent weeks; his comeback is possible against FCBB. Forwards Roman Sorkin (12.9) and Jaylen Hoard (12.0, 6.5 rpg) lead the frontcourt.
A lot of work against an athletic team for the second-best defense in the EuroLeague (82.7 ppg), which coach Svetislav Pesic is relying on again. “The first leg against Maccabi was one of our best games this season, they had won five in a row at the time,” recalls the coach. “Now they're back in good form and won at Red Star, plus they're playing at home this time. As always, though, we're focusing on ourselves and want to prepare as best we can for the tough task ahead with what we have available.”
A return of top scorer Lonnie Waker is possible | © EuroLeague
In the domestic Super League, Maccabi took the lead with 15 wins and 1 loss after Monday's 106:89 victory over second-to-last Ra'anana, overtaking its faltering local rival Hapoel (14:2). Gur Lavi (23) was the top scorer, ahead of Sorkin (21), Clark (13), and guard Jeff Dowtin (11).
“They are a very physical, athletic team that goes for offensive rebounds. We have to execute our basics well,” says FCBB center Wenyen Gabriel, who played for Maccabi for half a year in 2024. “It will be my first game against Maccabi at Menora Arena, and we're looking forward to the atmosphere there.”