Hapoel Jerusalem and Hapoel Tel Aviv are both in action on Wednesday in the penultimate EuroCup gameday as the two reds will look to try and finish off strong in order to put themselves in the best position that they can heading into the postseason.

The capital city reds are in a dicey spot as they are 9-7 which is good for 4th place in Division B but are tied with 5 other teams who hold the same record and should they fall in both games they may be on the outside looking in at the playoffs. Valencia is 15-2 and will end the regular season in first place while Ljubljana are in 2nd place sporting a 10-7 record while Bourg is in 3rd place with the identical record as Jeruasalem and happen to be their opponent in Wednesday’s game at the Ekinox at 8:30pm Israel time.

Yonathan Alon, the Reds bench boss spoke about the importance of the club’s second to last regular season contest, “We came to Bourg two days before the game and we are preparing very seriously as this is a very important game in our season and we want to come in ready and prepared. Bourg added two players since we last faced them and both are very significant and creative guards from an offensive point of view. We will need to know how to deal with them.”

Gabi Chachashvili added, “We are of course aware of the importance, are preparing and doing everything we can in terms of video and preparation for the other team. It will be a tough and aggressive game but we will come strong and bring the victory.”

Hapoel Tel Aviv takes on Trefl Sopot on Wednesday at 7pm Israel time as they will look to try and seal up second place in Division A as they currently hold a 10-6 record and are tied with Gran Canaria who are in third spot. The Reds will look to win their final two games in order to ensure home court advantage for the first tow round of the postseason but they also need to be careful not to complicate their lives should they lose, however, Sopot are 1-15 thus far.

Reds head coach Dimitrios Itoudis said, “We will be playing against a team that has significantly changed its roster since the first round game between us. The way they have competed in recent games does not reflect their current position at home. They play very aggressively on defense and have excellent flow of play.”

The Greek tactician continued, “Nick Johnson adds a new dimension to their game, alongside Geoffrey Groselle, who did not play in the first game as do their versatile forwards and guards. Bottom line, we will be playing against a very athletic team, who knows exactly what they want to achieve on the floor.”

Antonio Blakeney added, “This is a big game for us. We have been playing well recently and Sopot are competing hard in every game, so we must be ready to compete and fight for the win.”