Table of Contents
by Pietro Baragiola
Thursday 21 November al Assago Forum the new match of the Basketball Euroleague which saw the Maccabi Tel Aviv against Olimpia Milan.
A heated clash until the last quarter which ended with Olimpia’s victory with a score of 98-86.
Maccabi defended well with Jaylen Hoard who scored 20 points, followed by Roman Sorkin with his 14 and 13’s Levi Randolph.
“They played really well and shot like crazy the whole game,” he said the Maccabi coach, Oded Katashto journalists outside the stadium. “We knew that LeDay and Mirotic would make us suffer and that it wouldn’t be easy. They hit important shots, but it was also partly due to our poor communication, the new additions to the team and missing practices. We stayed here and fought and I have to give credit to my players for how they fought in the last five Euroleague games.”
“It wasn’t an easy victory. We beat a very good team that can easily eliminate you one-on-one and now we have to keep working,” he said Ettore Messina, coach of Olimpia Milano.
The match was witnessed by several members of the Jewish community of Milan on the initiative of the President Milo Hasbani and of Council of Milanopening the invitation to all volunteers of the Mizgheret civil protection.
“We supported the team until the end with our own Israeli flags and it was a great satisfaction for us on the board and for me in particular to have seen everyone happy and satisfied at the end of the match” Hasbani told our editorial team.
The two fans
“We made a series of tickets available and many welcomed the initiative with great enthusiasm without thinking about the events in Amsterdam” said Hasbani who made sure that all Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters arrived safely at the arena, escorted by the police. “The Milan police force they were exceptional, discreet and effective. They made us feel calm from the moment we arrived, throughout the match until its conclusion.”
Even the opposing fans she showed herself extremely respectful towards the Israeli fans and, after the victory, the representative of the Olimpia curve he went to the rival stand to shake hands with his representative and carry out the usual exchange of flags between the teams.
“In a climate of exclusion of Israeli teams, I would never have imagined a moment of such sportsmanship,” he said Luca Spizzichino, president of UGEI (Union of Young Jews of Italy)who personally delivered the Israeli flag to the head of the Olimpia fans. “Last night sport won, a means of building bridges, not of raising walls. Echoing what Franco Vaccari, president of Rondine Cittadella della Pace, said, ‘adversaries yes, enemies never’”.
The pro-Palestinian leaflets
While everything inside the stadium proceeded with great sportsmanship, there was no shortage of crowds young demonstrators who placed themselves at the Assago metro exit and outside the sports hall handing out flyers with the words “Red card to Israel”printed in white on a red background.
On the back of these leaflets the volunteers spoke of ‘Israeli colonialism and apartheid’ which would affect Palestinian sportsmen and women, preventing them from following their passions and participating in important competitions around the world.
Although many of these volunteers tried to enter the forum with their flyers, the security officers promptly confiscated them, taking them back from anyone who had them in their hands or pockets, to prevent them from bringing their hatred inside the stadium.
## World Today News Exclusive Interview:
**Basketball Diplomacy: A Night of Sportsmanship and Controversy**
**Host:** Welcome to World Today News. Tonight, we delve into the heated clash between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Olimpia Milan, a Euroleague basketball match that transcended the court, sparking debates about sportsmanship, diplomacy and political activism.
Joining us are two guests with unique perspectives on this event.
**[Guest 1 Name & Affiliation]** , a dedicated supporter of Maccabi Tel Aviv and **[Guest 2 Name & Affiliation]**, a pro-Palestinian activist who participated in the demonstration outside the arena.
**Let’s begin by setting the scene. Tell us about the atmosphere inside the Assago Forum during the game.** [Guest 1]
**[Guest 1 Response]**
**Host:** It’s clear that the game itself was intensely played, with Olimpia Milan ultimately victorious. Coach Messina described it as a hard-fought win. [Guest 2], how did you perceive the mood among the pro-Palestinian demonstrators outside the arena?
**[Guest 2 Response]**
**Host:**
Let’s shift focus to the wider context of this game. The article highlights the initiative by the Jewish community of Milan to encourage attendance at the game, even providing escorts and flags. [Guest 1], can you elaborate on the significance of this show of support, especially in light of recent events?
**[Guest 1 Response]**
**Host:** [Guest 2], you mentioned concerns about Israeli policies impacting Palestinian athletes. How do you view the role of sporting events in raising awareness about these issues, and do you believe boycotts are an effective tool for promoting change?
**[Guest 2 Response]**
**Host:** This game seems to have brought together elements of sportsmanship, political activism and cultural identity.
[Guest 1], what message do you hope this event sends to the world about the power of sports to bridge divides?
**[Guest 1 Response]**
**Host:** [Guest 2], do you believe there are alternative ways to engage with these complex issues within the context of international sports, preserving the spirit of competition while addressing concerns about political injustices?
**[Guest 2 Response]**
**Host:** Thank you both for sharing your perspectives. This game clearly sparked a range of emotions and raised important questions about the intersection of sports, politics, and social justice. We encourage our viewers to continue reflecting on these complex issues and engage in constructive dialog.
