Hapoel Jerusalem plays two games at Igokea in Champions League action in Bosnia beginning with the first contest on Tuesday at 19:00 Israel time. The Reds headed on the road for both their home and road clashes at Laktasi Arena due to budgeting and scheduling issues with the second game on Thursday acting as their home match. 

Head Coach Oded Katash knows how decisive and important these pair of games are going to be for the club as they hold a 1-1 record. “Igokea may have been a team that advanced to the BCL from the qualifiers. As usual we were drawn to play against the strongest team from the qualification tournament and we will have to play our best game against them.”

“We need to stay focused and it’s going to be tough,” said Tashawn Thomas. “They have it at their place so it’s an advantage to them. I want to make sure the team has the mindset that this is a business trip and we got to get the job done.”

J’Covan Brown who is coming back from a few months on the shelf with a shoulder injury should be ready to go in the two games explained Thomas, “ He has to get strength in his shoulders as it’s a tough injury to come back from. We’re giving him time and hope he can get back to himself soon. I trust him and he tells me he can and I’ll trust word every time.”