Maccabi Tel Aviv took a major step toward the championship on Thursday night, beating Hapoel Tel Aviv at the Hall in an away game to move ahead 2-0 in the Israeli Basketball Super League final series. The next game, scheduled for Sunday, June 21, at the same arena, could also clinch the title, with the hall expected to be packed with Maccabi fans in yellow.
Coach Oded Kats said the team expected a difficult contest and had to adjust after Hapoel changed matchups. “Congratulations and respect to the players, because we got through two very difficult crises,” he said, referring to Hapoel’s opening run and its late comeback. He added that Maccabi handled the game with composure, adapted its defense, and showed character despite being a shorter roster.
Kats singled out Iffe Lundberg, who scored 25 points, calling him “amazing” and “an exceptional player.” He said Lundberg gives the team “confidence and calm,” and noted that both Lundberg and Jimmy Clark got into foul trouble. Kats also said the switch to a zone defense helped his side.
Lundberg said the series is not over and that Game 3 will be hard. He praised his teammates and thanked the fans for the energy they brought to an away game. He said he stays humble and knows what he can do, adding that he does not need to score 25 points every night, sometimes he needs to pass, sometimes score, and sometimes provide energy. “We are not coming into the next game thinking that if we win, we’ll be champions,” he said.
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