It was a memorable night for Israeli basketball as Hapoel Tel Aviv, Hapoel Jerusalem and Hapoel Holon all picked up European victories. Each team won in a different competition, the EuroLeague, EuroCup and Basketball Champions League, respectively, highlighting the depth and strength of Israeli basketball on the continental stage.

Hapoel Tel Aviv Set Up a Major EuroLeague Showdown

Dimitrios Itoudis and Hapoel Tel Aviv took care of business against Besiktas in the first game of their EuroLeague double week, guaranteeing at least a split before Thursday’s showdown with Panathinaikos in Athens. The victory moved the Reds to 3-2, ensuring they will be at least .500 through their first six games.

Beating Besiktas was particularly significant, as the Turkish side had already defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv earlier this season. Now, Hapoel faces arguably its toughest challenge yet against a Panathinaikos team that entered the matchup with a perfect 5-0 record, the only undefeated side remaining in the competition.

Hapoel boasts a star-studded roster, but the Greens are hardly short on talent themselves, with Sylvain Francisco, Guerschon Yabusele, Mathias Lessort and others capable of taking over a game.
Still, the most intriguing subplot will be on the sidelines. Panathinaikos head coach Zeljko Obradovic and Itoudis share a long history, dating back to the turn of the century, when Itoudis served as Obradovic’s assistant in Athens and Oded Katash, now Maccabi Tel Aviv’s head coach, ran the point for the Greens.

Time moves on, but basketball has a way of bringing familiar figures back together. Itoudis and Obradovic have faced each other numerous times over the years, but seeing the Serbian coaching great back on the Panathinaikos bench adds another layer to an already compelling matchup.

Of course, the players will ultimately decide the outcome. Hapoel welcomed Amir Coffey back into the fold with a terrific game against Besiktas, while Vasilije Micic, Dan Oturu and company will look to make their mark in what promises to be a fascinating contest.

Hapoel Jerusalem Show Their Character

Across Europe, Hapoel Jerusalem survived a stern test against San Pablo Burgos, earning a hard-fought victory over one of Spain’s more formidable sides. Burgos, which has moved from the Basketball Champions League to the EuroCup with ambitions of eventually reaching the EuroLeague, pushed the capital city Reds to the limit.

Jerusalem controlled much of the contest, but the visitors nearly stole the game late, forcing Sasa Obradovic’s team to dig deep when it mattered most.

Kenny Lofton Jr. was the driving force for Jerusalem, finishing with 28 points and delivering at the free-throw line when his team needed him most. With the Reds trailing by one and just over a minute remaining, Lofton calmly knocked down two clutch free throws, going a perfect 7/7 from the stripe for the game. Shake Milton then buried a three-pointer to put Jerusalem ahead for good and seal the victory.

It was anything but comfortable. Jerusalem had several opportunities to let the game slip away down the stretch, but Obradovic’s experience and composure helped his team navigate the pressure and improve to 3-0.

Previous versions of Hapoel Jerusalem might have crumbled in such circumstances. This group held firm, and credit goes to the players and coaching staff for finding a way to win when things got difficult.

It was a character-building victory that strengthens Jerusalem’s credentials as it pursues the EuroCup title and the accompanying path to a EuroLeague place. The Reds will head to Latvia next week to face Riga, looking to keep their perfect record intact.

Hapoel Holon Finally Get Back on Track

Hapoel Holon also had plenty to celebrate, picking up a much-needed victory over Spartak in Serbia for its first win in Basketball Champions League action and its first victory in some time following a loss to Hapoel Jerusalem in the domestic league opener.

Predrag Krunic’s Purples have an intriguing roster, led by standout big man Adama Sanogo, who once again proved to be the difference-maker. Sanogo poured in 28 points to lead Holon to victory in a game the Israelis controlled for much of the night.

But, as in Jerusalem’s contest, the finish was far from straightforward. With Holon leading 80-72, Spartak chipped away at the deficit and eventually pulled within a single point late in the game.

Sanogo then stepped up at the free-throw line, knocking down three crucial attempts to restore some breathing room and help the Purples close out the win.

It was a welcome result for a Holon team that desperately needed a boost, and Sanogo’s performance demonstrated the value of having a go-to player who can deliver under pressure.

A Night to Celebrate Israeli Basketball

Three teams, three competitions and three victories. Hapoel Tel Aviv strengthened its position in the EuroLeague, Hapoel Jerusalem showed the composure required to compete for the EuroCup title and Hapoel Holon finally got the breakthrough it needed in the Basketball Champions League.

All three had to withstand late pressure, making their victories as much a test of mental toughness as physical ability. It was a special night for the players and coaches involved and another reminder of the impact Israeli basketball continues to make across Europe.