Itoudis Braces for Must-Win Game 3 as Hapoel Tel Aviv Trails 2-0

Hapoel Tel Aviv will face Maccabi Tel Aviv on Sunday at 8:50 p.m. in the third game of the playoff final, needing a win to avoid losing its championship chance after falling behind 2-0 in the series. The game will be broadcast live on 5SPORT.

Ahead of the decisive matchup, Hapoel coach Dimitris Itoudis said the team is focused on correcting mistakes from the first two losses. “We were there in the second game, but the result was not what we wanted,” he said. “Now we have our backs against the wall, we need character, consistency, continuity in what we do well, and better defense.”

Itoudis said the team had not tried to finish the game too quickly and stressed that basketball decisions must hold for the full 40 minutes, not just the opening minutes. He explained that the first few minutes show the team’s strategy and approach, something he felt was missing in Game 1 and only partially improved in Game 2 after adjustments in practice. He added that “many things happen during a game” that can force changes in approach and game plan.

Asked about his mindset with the team one loss away from the title slipping away, Itoudis said he wants the series to reach a fourth game. “I did not come here to think about a vacation, otherwise I would already be on vacation,” he said. “I think about how to do my job the best way, and everyone wants to be in the same mindset.” On the roster for Sunday, he declined to say more, adding, “I would have liked you to already know, but that is what it is.”