Hapoel Tel Aviv Dominates Balkan Botvgrad in Season Opener Friendly

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.