Hapoel Tel Aviv Draws Sharp Online Criticism After Heavy Game 1 Loss to Maccabi
Hapoel Tel Aviv entered the playoff final against longtime rival Maccabi Tel Aviv in strong form, but Game 1 told a very different story. By the end of the third quarter, Hapoel was already trailing by 22 points, prompting a wave of criticism online aimed at coach Dimitris Itoudis and his players.
Social media posts described Hapoel as a “dead” team and said the performance was “embarrassing.” One of the recurring questions from fans was, “Why doesn’t Platin get a chance?” The reaction reflected frustration that the team’s momentum from earlier in the playoffs had disappeared in the series opener.
The article was published on June 16, 2026, at 22:18 on Sport 5. It centered on the immediate backlash to Hapoel Tel Aviv’s poor start in the final and the scrutiny now facing Itoudis ahead of the rest of the series.
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
