Tel Aviv is located on the Israeli Meditteranean coastline and is the second most populated city in Israel. Maccabi Tel Aviv club arose in this city in 1932.
The club is also involve in other sports like judo, swimming, wrestling, football, tennis, volleyball and many more.
Maccabi Tel Aviv was the first champion in Israel Basketball League when it started in 1954. The club most likely became a world record holder when they won the league championship 48 times in local Israeli Championships and won 37 times in Israeli Cups. This competitive team also play in European leagues and earned 5 European Championship titles.
This basketball club is noted as the most successful club in Israel and acclaimed as the third most successful ball clubs in the entire history of Europe.
With all the success that this team has earned, they are the representatives of Israel in International Basketball games. Maccabi Tel Aviv was sponsored by ELITE since 1969 until 2008. Since then, ELECTRA became their sponsor starting July 2008 up to present. This team is now also known as Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv.
Achievements through the Decades
In the 1950’s, Maccabi Tel Aviv won 5 Israeli Championships and 3 Israeli Cups. Their success went on in the 1960’s when they won 6 Israel Championships and 6 Israel Cups. Hapoel Tel Aviv became their close competitor in this season. Also during this time,Maccabi Tel Aviv was launchedin the elite club with European All Stars. The center Tanhum Cohen- Mints was one of those seleced.
In the 1970’s, Maccabi Tel Aviv was victorious in 10 Israeli Championships, 8 Israeli Cups, and won 1 European Championship which is the first European Championship the country ever participated. Tal Brody was their team captain in 1966 to 1969 and in 1970 to 1980.
The Golden Era of this ball club was in 1980’s when the team won another 10 Israeli Championships, 8 Israeli Cups, and 1 European Championship. Maccabi ball club practically dominated the court in 1970 to 1980 since they were victorious consecutively in all 20 championship leagues.
The team won the European title in 1981 and reached the finals four times-1982, 1987, 1988 and 1989. This team is in no doubt the best Israeli team and the country’s pride. Miki Berkovich, MottiAroesti, DoronJamchi, Kevin Magee, Lou Silver, Ken Barlow, Aulcie Perry, and LaVonMercer have become the star players of Maccabi Tel Aviv that made the team stronger and unbeatable.A decline in the performance of Maccabi is noted in the 1990’s since they won 9 Israeli Championships, 5 Israeli Cups.
They did not win any European titles in this season but in 2000, they reached the European title game. This success marked the “second golden era” having won 8 Israeli Championships, 7 Israeli Cups, 2 Winner Cups, and 3 European Championships (2001, 2004, and 2005). These victories made them the most successful basketball club in the decade.
The team also reached the European title game twice in the years 2006 and 2008repectively. Some players were then acknowledged as European All Stars because of their contributions in Maccabi Tel Aviv’s success. These were Ariel McDonald (1999-2002), Anthony Parker (2000-2002 and 2003-2006), Nate Huffman (1999-2002), ŠarūnasJasikevičius (2003-2005), MaceoBaston (2003-2006), Derrick Sharp (1996-present), and Tal Burstein (2000-2009 and 2010-present).
This year has been regarded as the “rebuilding season” since David Blatt (the former assistant and head coach) has returned.This year is said to be more successful than the previous for the great Maccabi ELECTRA Tel Aviv.