Maccabi Tel Aviv has surged into the Euroleague Play-In race over the past few weeks and moved its record to over .500 (17-16) for the first time this season, with five games remaining.
Since the outbreak of the war with Iran at the end of February, the yellow-and-blue has moved its operations back to Belgrade, where it had spent most of its time since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a brutal attack on the Israeli communities in the Gaza periphery.
Oded Katash’s squad moved back to playing in the friendly confines of Yad Eliyahu in December after the war with Hamas came to an end. However, with the breakout of the latest conflict, Maccabi returned to Aleksandar Nikolić Hall to get ready for the final stretch run as it tries to punch its ticket to the postseason.
Recently, Maccabi General Manager Claudio Coldebella spoke with Giuseppe Nigro of La Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy, sharing some of the successes he has experienced this season. Coldebella discussed dealing with another conflict that will challenge the club, working for a legendary team like Maccabi Tel Aviv, and, first and foremost, winning the Israel State Cup just prior to the outbreak of the most recent war.
“Winning the cup was spectacular, and with this one I’ve now won in four countries – every country where I’ve worked: in Italy as a player, in Greece with PAOK, and in Russia in the VTB League with UNICS Kazan. But capturing the cup also reminded me of something Messina said about his experience at Real Madrid – that when you win there, it’s more a relief than anything else. That was a bit my feeling too; before me, they had already won 46 cups. After the victory, the president was already thinking about the league title. It’s a place with an incredible winning DNA.”
Being a part of Maccabi is different, Coldebella explained, as it’s a team that represents an entire nation.
“Wherever I go, I immerse myself in the club’s history, but Maccabi is something different. It has always been the team of the people, the national team of a people, and it has represented them by winning a lot. It’s one of the three or four most historic clubs in European basketball. It’s a beautiful experience both in life and in sport, in a club with very high standards and a very demanding fan base that is always used to winning.”
Hapoel teams operate on 'big scale'
In the past, there was only Maccabi, but now domestic competition has never been stronger.
“The two Hapoel teams, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, have different styles, but both operate on a big scale. Maccabi wasn’t used to having two competitors at home. We decided to focus on local players, an idea I’ve always believed in. When I arrived in the locker room as a player, I found Roberto Brunamonti there; having players who guide you is a real value. This is an Israeli club, and we have an Israeli core, from Tamir Blatt and Roman Sorkin to the head coach. In the Euroleague, we are the fifth team out of twenty in terms of usage of local players.”
With many new players coming on board, the results weren’t the best as the season began. However, over the past few months, things have turned around.
“We got off to a slow start,” Coldebella admitted. “But thinking you can do well when playing on neutral courts is unrealistic, also because the more you travel, the less you train. Since returning home in December, we’ve won 26 of 31 games. In the Euroleague, we’re 10 out of 15, and in the domestic league, we haven’t lost since November 17, away against Hapoel Tel Aviv. The fact that this club represents its people changes everything; it creates incredible energy. More than other teams, we need that.”
Coldebella knows full well that Maccabi and Israel are one and the same and that the two are inseparable.
“For 3,000 years, world politics has been decided here, and I won’t get into discussions that big. I’m a Tel Aviv resident, a Tel Avivian. It’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world – a mix between Miami and Brooklyn – the climate, the people, the social life. We’re in love with the place; it’s been a wonderful life experience. Everyone asks what it’s like here, and our daily life has been one of safety and calm. Of course, the club has an extremely high level of security, but neither I nor my family have ever felt in danger, even when traveling.
The 57-year-old Italian GM explained how the setup in Belgrade works for the players and staff as they try to keep some sort of normalcy.
“Everyone can choose whether to live in a hotel or an apartment. We’re trying to recreate our daily routine, and our families are with us. We’re fortunate that right now there is a very strong connection between Belgrade and Maccabi. We found extremely hospitable people, perhaps because they also experienced war. There is great respect. But I hope we can return to Israel as soon as possible, also because there is a league season to resume, where we were first in the standings, and above all, it would signal a return to normal life, first and foremost for the citizens.”
As a player, Coldebella was a pioneer in playing abroad when almost nobody did, going to Greece to play for AEK and PAOK. Once again, by working outside his native Italy, he is doing the same as a basketball executive would.
“I struggle to call basketball a job; I’ve always considered it a passion. I grew up watching these teams as a kid. It’s a personal source of pride to think about where I started and that I’ve become the general manager of Maccabi. The journey continues - these are work and life experiences that are priceless.”
As for the Play-In, Coldebella said Maccabi’s chances are strong at home, but now, with games in Belgrade, the challenge increases.
“The numbers say that the Maccabi that plays at home is a playoff team, so I would have said Maccabi. But our value has to be recalibrated because we’re playing on neutral courts. We’ll see.”
As for the future, Coldebella could see himself returning to Italy, but for now, his focus remains on Maccabi.
“I still have a long contract with Maccabi. My goal is to win the Euroleague here. As a player, I came very close – I played in a final – so I’d like to achieve it as a GM. It would be nice in Italy too. The basketball world is changing there as well, with the possibility of NBA Europe. I’m curious to see how basketball will find its positioning. It would be great for everyone if the right balance between all the different entities could finally be found.”
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