Hapoel Tel Aviv moved to within one game of advancing into the semifinals after disposing of Hapoel Gilboa Galil up in Gan Ner. Once again credit has to go to Sharon Avrahami who had his charges ready to go an “All-In” as they looked to score the upset victory and even up the series.
However, it was not to be as the Reds depth overwhelmed the hosts in the second half, 49-33 to wrap up game two and head into Friday’s game three back at Yad Eliyahu.

Dimitrios Itoudis was able to get some very solid minutes down the stretch from both Oz Blayzer and Ish Wainright who scored some very important baskets in the final two frames to help propel the visitors to the win.

It was clear as day that the budgets, quality of players and depth did Gilboa in because the first half, just like game one were very close and saw players like Israelis Niv Misgav and Gur Lavy really show how good they really are. But ultimately when a team has the likes of not only Johnathan Motley, Antonio Blakeney and Marcus Foster but Guy Palatin, Tomer Ginat and especially Bar Timor who was absolutely superb, it’s going to be very hard to win against a team that features one solid player after the next.

After the game both Ish El-Amin from Gilboa and Timor from Hapoel echoed the exact same thoughts which is that the depth of the Reds is what decided the game. No matter how hard and how much that Avrahami’s crew was going to lay it all out on the line, it was just not going to be enough. But the key for Gilboa is that they are playing with their hearts and souls and leaving it all out on the court giving Hapoel a very tough time which they are all very proud of.

“Their depth runs you down,” El-Amin said. No bad minutes from them so that means you can’t have down minutes which we had at the end of the third quarter. We showed that we could still be there and that we all have pride. We are the underdogs and they have big names but it’s basketball and whoever will have more points will win. We are not going to allow them to punk us, we can give those guys a test in three games and they’re not going to walk over us. we are here to fight and there is no question that we are excited.”

“The depth is the secret of our team and we have a rotation of great guys,” Timor said. “It’s great to see Oz and Ish help us as well as Guy Palatin with amazing defense. We have a lot of guys who can help us and everyone needs to be ready, they are a good team and when it comes to the end of the game we are more fresh. But the most important thing is that we are 2-0 in the series.”

One of the sad extracurricular issues that came up at the end of the game is that some of the Hapoel Tel Aviv fans, who for the most part disagree with the club playing in Yad Eliyahu and continuously curse out the owner Ofer Yannay, attacked members of the club’s staff as well as Sport 5. These so called fans try to put their own agenda ahead of that of the club’s and it’s honestly depressing for any sports aficionado to see. I saw some of these “Ultras” cursing out some of the older fans due to their insistence of not attending games at Yad Eliyahu and not being there for their team at the larger venue.

The entire story is pathetic to say the least and the club needed to put out a number of statements saying that they will deal with these “fans” to the extent they can and will not allow such things to happen.

Yannay interestingly enough was not at the game but that didn’t stop the curses flying for a quarter hour after the game had already ended.

Can you imagine, you’re team won a playoff game and is now up 2-0 and there are so called “fans” acting the way they are?

I just don’t get it and neither does Itoudis who said that he would be happy to meet with them after I had asked him about the split in the fan base and how it would be so much better for the team’s success if everyone were united.

Truthfully, if Hapoel Tel Aviv wants to be a big club and win a title in Israel, uniting is going to the be the only way it will happen and those who are still causing issues need to take a good hard look in the mirror and get with the program. You’re owner brought in top of the line players, your team won the EuroCup and will play in the Euroleague next season and this is thanks he gets?

It’s time to do some real soul searching.