Elitzur Ramla Aims for Redemption Against Olympiakos in EuroCup Women
Elitzur Ramla prepares to face Olympiakos this evening at 19:00 (local time) for the second leg of the EuroCup Women’s knockout stage after a tough 93-86 loss in the first match. Head coach Tal Natan discussed the game and the performance of Israeli teams in the men’s EuroLeague during an interview on start’s “Shichat Hayom” program.
Coach’s Insights from Athens
Speaking from Athens, Natan noted, “We are accompanied by polstart here.” Regarding the first game against Olympiakos, he commented, “There was a seven-point gap in favor of Olympiakos. Today we need to address that.”
Natan emphasized the importance of improvement, stating, “We must give them credit, but we are continuously trying to get better. We’ve stabilized our system a bit. It’s not an excuse, but there’s courage we’re not used to in women’s basketball. We see how challenging it is not to play at home. Home-court advantage still hasn’t returned for us; home has significance in sports.”
Observations on Maccabi Tel Aviv
Transitioning to men’s basketball, Natan analyzed Maccabi Tel Aviv’s performance this EuroLeague season, “The gaps between teams have narrowed significantly this year. We must credit Hapoel; their winning streak is crucial for the future. Teams that improve their defensive capabilities will gain an advantage in the league. Hapoel defends better than others, while other teams struggle. Those who can make defensive stops will have an edge.”
Reflecting on coach Oded Katsch’s recent challenges, he said, “The coach needs to ignore background noise; it isn’t helpful. The system and players need to support him. Maccabi wasn’t built in the most precise way, but he has already overcome the major crisis. They are playing better and managed to win their last game, even when they could have lost. Everything feels balanced.”
Predictions and Fan Engagement
When asked about the games this evening, where both Maccabi and Hapoel will play at the same time, Natan suggested that fans must choose wisely: “If you’re not a fan of either, I would recommend watching Hapoel. Panathinaikos is improving, and Itoudis arrives at a place he knows well; it will be an interesting battle.”
Natan predicted close outcomes, saying, “I foresee Maccabi winning by three points and Panathinaikos by four. For us, it’s crucial to win.”
The atmosphere in Ramla has been noted, with only a few fans traveling to support the team. In contrast, the attendance at home games has been limited, reflecting on the challenges faced during the season.
As Elitzur Ramla heads into tonight’s crucial match, the stakes are high for redemption and progression in the tournament.