Hapoel Tel Aviv Dominates Balkan Botvgrad in Season Opener Friendly
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Hapoel Tel Aviv opened their 2026/2027 preseason with a 101-76 win over Balkan Botvgrad, led by strong performances from Amir Coffey, Vasilije Micić, and Antonio Blakeney. After overcoming an early deficit, the team pulled away and maintained control throughout, signaling a positive start under coach Dimitris Itoudis.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Hapoel Tel Aviv defeated Balkan Botvgrad 101-76 in their first preseason game on August 29.
- Coach Dimitris Itoudis’ timeout sparked a decisive 15-2 run early in the game.
- Amir Coffey, Vasilije Micić, and Antonio Blakeney led the team with standout performances.
- Balkan Botvgrad briefly cut the lead to 8 points in the third quarter before Hapoel regained control.
- The win follows Hapoel’s strong debut EuroLeague season and boosts confidence for 2026/2027.
- The team will continue preparations to get players in shape for the official season start.
Hapoel Tel Aviv began their 2026/2027 season preparations with a commanding 101-76 victory over Balkan Botvgrad in their first preseason game on August 29. After a brief early deficit of 15-9, coach Dimitris Itoudis called a timeout, sparking a 15-2 run that established a significant lead the team maintained throughout the match. Key players Amir Coffey and Dan Utoro impressed early, with Antonio Blakeney heating up to push the lead into double digits during the second quarter.
Despite Balkan Botvgrad narrowing the gap to 17 points by halftime (50-38), Hapoel Tel Aviv intensified their pressure after the break. Vasilije Micić hit a three-pointer and assisted Tai Odiase on a powerful dunk during a 9-0 run that extended the lead to 59-38. Although Botvgrad responded with a surprising 15-2 run to cut the deficit to 61-53, Micić’s strong play helped restore control, leading to a 79-60 advantage by the end of the third quarter.
The fourth quarter saw Hapoel Tel Aviv cruise comfortably to victory, with Blakeney continuing to score steadily. This preseason win marks a promising start for the team following a successful debut EuroLeague season. New signings Micić, Blakeney, and Coffey stood out with impressive performances on both ends of the court, giving coach Itoudis reasons for optimism as the squad continues preparations ahead of the official season launch.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Centre 1Right 1
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
