EuroLeague chiefs visited Israel to examine the return of games to the country

EuroLeague management representatives, CEO Tsuos Bueno and competitions director Diego Giyan, held a quick visit to Israel to examine the return of the competition's games to the country. They met with the heads of Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem, with European ambassadors and with Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar. The official decision is expected within about a week to ten days.

EuroLeague senior officials – CEO Tsuos Bueno and competitions director Diego Giyan – arrived for a quick visit to Israel to examine up close the possibility of returning the competition's games here. The heads of Israel's three top clubs cooperated to present the guests with a picture of life in the country. The morning opened with Hapoel Tel Aviv owner Ofer Yannay and chairman Stav Shaham at a breakfast with the EuroLeague chiefs. The conversation was described as positive, and the two stressed that Hapoel's home is first and foremost in Israel, in front of the home crowd. Later a broader meeting was held that included representatives of Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem, alongside prominent new signings such as Thomas Satorensky, Zach Liday and Vasilia Mitsich. At Maccabi Tel Aviv's initiative, Bueno and Giyan met with European ambassadors and with Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar, as well as with players of the three clubs and their partners. Another notable moment came at the Premier League opener at Menora Mivtachim Arena, where Maccabi Tel Aviv routed Hapoel Galil Elyon 93:120 in front of more than 10,400 fans. The yellow crowd hung a banner reading "EuroLeague to Tel Aviv" and handed out leaflets pointing to a double standard. Maccabi Tel Aviv chairman Adv. Shimon Mizrahi summed up the 24-hour visit. Now a week to ten days of waiting remain for the EuroLeague management's decision.