What happens when a professional basketball team is forced to relocate mid-season because of war—and still has to compete at the highest level?

In this powerful episode of Full Court Passport, Ric Bucher and Bostjan Nachbar sit down with Claudio Coldebella to uncover the unseen reality behind one of the most extraordinary seasons in basketball history.

From evacuating players across continents to rebuilding team chemistry in Belgrade… from empty arenas to mental fatigue, disrupted routines, and survival mode leadership—this is far bigger than basketball.

Coldebella reveals:

• The moment Maccabi realized they had to leave Israel
• How players were scattered across Dubai, Europe, and beyond
• The logistical chaos of rebuilding a team overnight
• Why the mental toll—not physical—is the biggest challenge
• How playing without fans changes EVERYTHING
• The fight to stay competitive in the EuroLeague playoff race

Plus, Ric and Boki break down:

• Why rhythm matters more than talent late in the season
• The hidden disadvantage of playing only once per week
• The razor-thin margin in the EuroLeague playoff race
• Why every possession—not just every game—matters now

This isn’t just a basketball story.

It’s a story about resilience, leadership, and competing when everything is working against you.

00:00 – Intro + What Full Court Passport Covers

00:30 – Ric Bucher & Boki Nachbar Set the Stage

01:00 – Sponsor: New Air Club (Private Jet Service)

01:25 – Claudio Coldebella Joins (Maccabi Tel Aviv GM)

02:00 – When Maccabi Was Forced to Relocate

03:00 – War Impact: Players Scattered Across Countries

04:00 – Rebuilding Operations in Belgrade

05:00 – The REAL Challenge: Logistics vs Mental Health

06:30 – Losing Game Rhythm (One Game Per Week Problem)

07:30 – Israeli League Uncertainty & Possible Scenarios

08:30 – The Hardest Part: Maintaining Team Identity

10:00 – Handling Politics & Communication Inside the Team

11:30 – Leadership Lessons From Coldebella’s Playing Career

12:30 – Historical Parallels: War & European Basketball

14:00 – Playing Without Fans: “Two Different Teams”

15:30 – Home vs Away Impact Explained

16:30 – Avoiding Excuses While Facing Extreme Circumstances

18:00 – The Underdog Mentality & Playoff Push

19:00 – What It’s Like Living Through War as a Team

20:30 – Player Safety & Organizational Responsibility

21:00 – Finding Positives in a Crisis (Belgrade Experience)

22:30 – Interview Wrap-Up + Final Thoughts from Coldebella

23:30 – Ric & Boki Breakdown

• Daily reality of a GM in crisis
• Player/staff/family impact
• Why rhythm loss matters

26:00 – EuroLeague Playoff Race Analysis

29:00 – Who’s Under Pressure & Why

31:00 – Why EuroLeague Is Impossible to Predict

33:00 – Final Four Scenarios & Fan Atmosphere Discussion

35:00 – Monaco Situation Update

39:00 – Game of the Week: Zalgiris vs Real Madrid

41:00 – Why This Game Defines EuroLeague Basketball

43:00 – NCAA Comparison + Closing Thoughts

45:00 – Outro + Where to Watch/Listen

#EuroLeague #MaccabiTelAviv #Basketball #InternationalBasketball #SportsBusiness #Leadership #WarAndSports #EuroLeagueBasketball #UnitedWeCast #RicBucher #BokiNachbar #ClaudioColdebella

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