By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Fans entering the Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv’s training center abruptly ended the practice session, the team announced Friday.
Unable to resume the program, the players made their way to the locker room, as noted by Maccabi. Some players returned to practice individually assisted by members of the coaching staff, added the Israeli club.
The Yellow Ones are coming off a loss to Hapoel SP Tel Aviv in the Israeli Cup State Cup Final Four Semifinals. Following the elimination from the domestic tournament, the team parted ways with head coach Giannis Sfairopoulos. The Greek tactician was in charge for nearly four years. Turmoil continued with multiple fans interrupting practice.
Moving forward, Maccabi is set to visit Hapoel Yossi Avrahami Eilat Sunday. After the Winner League Regular Season Round 18 fixture, Maccabi will travel to Turkey to face defending Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion Anadolu Efes in Regular Season Round 27 action Thursday.
Capturing 11 wins over the first 23 outings in the ongoing campaign of Europe’s premier club continental competition, the Israeli giant sits 1.5 games away of the top eight spots of the standings leading to the 2022 Playoffs with 11 games remaining in the double-legged round-robin schedule.
At the domestic level, the 9-6 record trails co-leaders Bnei Ofek Dist Herzliya and Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem. Both carry a 10-5 W-L tally. After the 22-game round-robin schedule, the 12 teams of Israel’s top-flight division will be split into two even groups and ensuing battles to separately determine the final standings ahead of the Playoffs.