Olmert. Eager to watch game
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Olmert's top priority: Maccabi game
Prime minister's aides working to ensure Olmert can watch Euroleague final between Israeli champs, CSKA Moscow; PM opens weekly government session with basketball remarks
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert opened Sunday's government session with well-wishes to basketball champion Maccabi Tel Aviv ahead of its Euroleague final game against CSKA Moscow later in the day, while his aides are working to ensure the PM is able to watch the big game.
The entire nation is expected to settle in next to a television screen Sunday night at 9:30, as Maccabi attempts to win the European championships for the third year in a row, and Olmert, known as an avid sports fan, is no exception.
Maccabi celebrates semifinal win Friday (Photo: AP)
At the beginning of the government session, Olmert told ministers: "We very much hope that this evening there will be a reason for hope and pride for the entire people of Israel. We're all united in the hope Maccabi wins…Maccabi Tel Aviv's victories bring plenty of joy and pride to the State of Israel."
Sunday evening, Olmert is scheduled to participate in two conventions, where he is slated to deliver speeches. Officials at the Prime Minister's Office said they will undertake all necessary efforts to push the speeches forward, so that Olmert is able to watch the game.
On Friday, before Maccabi's semifinal win against the Spanish Tao Vitoria, Olmert called the team's coach, Pini Gershon, and wished him luck on behalf of the State of Israel. Gershon thanked Olmert for the call and admitted that this year he will miss the traditional phone call from the ailing Ariel Sharon.
In the past two years, Sharon and Gershon spoke following Maccabi's European championship wins. Their conversation two years ago became particularly memorable after the two were unable to hear each other as a result of technical difficulties.
In last year's talk following Maccabi's win, Sharon told Gershon: "I’m certain that next year too I will have the privilege of congratulating you and the team for the victory. But for that we must make sure of two things – that we both keep our jobs."
Gershon replied: "I know you're a good prime minister and I see that you're running the negotiations on my behalf – but I cannot win the elections for you."
