Maccabi Tel Aviv opened the playoff final by overpowering Hapoel Tel Aviv, with a performance the columnist says felt like a return to the 1980s. The game, published in Sport 5 on June 17, 2026 at 09:03, framed Maccabi as sharper, more organized and hungrier, while Hapoel looked tired, blunt and short on solutions. The writer says the first game did not settle the series, but it exposed a major gap in tactical preparation and urgency.
The key coaching contrast was between Oded Katash and Dimitris Itoudis. Katash got disciplined production from a short rotation and, in the article’s words, “scientific, thorough and nearly perfect” basketball. Itoudis tried to play the same style with less talent on the floor, cycling through three-guard, three-forward and two-center lineups without finding enough offense. By the third quarter, the game was effectively over.
Maccabi’s attack was built on clear identity, frequent touches in the paint and efficient finishing. Lonnie Walker’s absence, along with Wade Baldwin and Santos, did not hurt Maccabi’s chemistry, while Hapoel missed the scoring and game-management of Bryant, Otuuro and Blakeney. Lorenzo Brown posted 9 points, 8 assists, 5 steals and a plus-18 rating, while Vasilije Micic struggled to 7 points, 8 turnovers and minus-24. Hapoel committed 19 turnovers and allowed 16 offensive rebounds, with Jalen Hoard finishing 10 of 13 inside, Josh Nebo 6 of 8, and Jake Cohen 3 of 4.
Defensively, Maccabi pressured the ball, forced Hapoel into mistakes and neutralized Yam Madar and Micic, who combined for just 2 points at halftime. The article says Hapoel’s fans also failed to create the expected momentum, as the emotional and tactical edge belonged to Maccabi throughout.
The column closes by comparing Hapoel’s missed opportunity to the New York Knicks’ NBA title run after 53 years without a championship, arguing that teams and fans must seize the moment when it comes.
