Oded Kattash: 'Zeljko is the best in my eyes' / News - Basketnews.com

Oded Kattash gave an interview where he talked about his times as a player when he was wearing the Panathinaikos jersey under coach Zeljko Obradovic's leadership.

Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis Stolis

A distinguished guard in European basketball before his retirement, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv coach Oded Kattash had one of his best years with what is now Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens with then-coach Zeljko Obradovic.

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Now the head coach of Maccabi, where he played for four years from 1995 to 1999, the Israeli player basketball player gave an interview to Meridian Sport where he talked of his years in Greece ahead of Maccabi's game against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade.

"It's always special for me. Zeljko is the best in my eyes. I learned a lot from him when I was a player and later as a coach. And now I'm watching, learning. It is a great honor to lead the team against him," Kattash said on the occasion of the upcoming game against Partizan on December 12.

The Israeli tactician had nothing but praise for the legendary Serbian coach, particularly regarding the latter's ability to adapt and remain on the top of European basketball.

"What makes coachObradovicso special is that he is always, always changing.It adapts to all teams, all styles, changes..." Kattash stated. "You always have to be ready for a surprise against him.And you see, he always finds a way."

"Even if the season doesn't start well, he manages to fix everything. He brings out the best in his players.Impressive.That man inspires me," the Israeli coach concluded with a statement of wonderment.

However, the relationship between the two did not immediately get off to a warm start when Kattash first arrived in Panathinaikos.

"That long ago season of 1999-2000, long ago, we had a really special group of players and coaches. Every player who was there, as well as every coach, remembers that year with special emotions," Kattash began.

2-pointers this season

54%19,5Points made:19,5Accuracy:54,0%Place in standings:12Record max:26Record min:13Most made 2FGs:Mathias LessortTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

"We really dominated, and we all took home wonderful memories. Although Obradovic was terribly strict with me," the Israeli tactician said with a smile before continuing to elaborate on those years.

"It was very difficult for me in the first two or three months. But when I passed [Obradovic'c] test, he really started to trust me a lot, and, of course, he made me a better player," Kattash praised Obradovic once again.

"He gave me enormous confidence, and I can only be sorry that I got injured after that first season," the Israeli player said with a hint of sadness.

The coach also had remarks to make about the team's particular situation, which emerged due to the unfortunate breakout of conflict in the Israeli-Palestinian region and the team's upcoming game against Partizan in the black-and-white team's court.

"We're still not in the best shape. We travel a lot... Although we found a wonderful second home in Belgrade, it's still not a normal situation. We miss training, we have injuries..." Kattash said.

"And that is now our biggest challenge before the match with Partizan," Kattash continued. "We know what the atmosphere will be like. We are also waiting for the best coach in Europe, with whom they know exactly what they are doing at all times. We have to be very focused and aggressive," he said.

"The challenge is to react and learn the lesson from last week," he concluded, referring to his team's blowout loss to Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul with a score of 74-109.

At the moment, Kattash's Maccabi shares the fifth and sixth places with Panathinaikos, having a record of 12-8.

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