Galil Elyon completed a dramatic, emotional escape from relegation, staying in the Basketball Premier League after a 76-65 win over Ness Ziona and a 89-77 loss by Ra’anana to Netanya. The result capped a season described as turbulent, challenging, moving and sad, and left the Northern club celebrating at the end of a long survival battle.
After the game, players and staff spoke about Raz Adam, who died in a tragic accident and whose work at the club Prizki had come to continue after joining from Hapoel Jerusalem. Prizki said, “What is going through my head? The tragic disaster of Raz Adam.” He added that attending the funeral was “one of the most painful moments” he had experienced recently, and said, “On a personal level, I am prouder than ever to come to Galil and finish what he started this year. It really moves me.”
Prizki said he had known Adam for some time and had spent much of last year with him during rehabilitation. He said he had not enjoyed basketball this much “in many good years,” noting that he arrived for a 10-day stint and did not expect it to end like this. He also said the North and its people felt special, even with nighttime sirens, and praised the atmosphere and supporters. He added that sitting on the bench felt like a waste, but said he respected the club’s business decisions and did not know what his summer would bring.
Coach Idan Avshalom called the achievement “amazing” and “a source of pride,” saying the club and its community made the whole story possible. He said fans had wrapped themselves around the team, that they could not have failed with them, and that “the karma was with us” in a story too big for Raz Adam. Avshalom thanked his staff, especially Avishai Gordon, and said the team would first celebrate before discussing next season, while stressing that he felt a natural connection to the club and believed “great things” could be done there.
