Elitzur Ramla Dominates Greek Opponent in EuroCup Qualifiers

Elitzur Ramla, in its first official game of the 2026-27 season, secured a commanding 79-46 victory over Greece's Vologda in the first leg of the EuroCup qualifiers. The team now holds a substantial 33-point lead heading into the decisive second leg, positioning them for an easy advancement to Europe's second-tier club competition. This marks a strong start for Ramla, who aims to return to prominence after a challenging previous season.

Under the guidance of veteran coach Eden Inbar, who previously led the team to a EuroCup title over a decade ago, Ramla displayed an aggressive performance from the outset. They established an early lead, finishing the first quarter at 25-10 and extending it to 47-22 by halftime. The team's dominance was evident in their shooting efficiency, converting 60% of field goals compared to Vologda's 36.1%, and out-assisting their opponents 24 to 10, with 10 steals.

Ramla's offensive strength was a collective effort, with six players scoring in double figures. Daniel Re'em and Imari Thomas led the scoring with 14 points each, supported by Ma'ayan Karkar with 14, Shir Tirosh with 11, and Mikia Herbert Harrigan and Ami Rinat contributing 10 points apiece. Gili Eisner nearly reached double digits with 6 points, but also dished out 9 assists.

In parallel, Bnei Yehuda defeated Maccabi Haifa 75-59 in another preliminary round game, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Athena Winner Sport Cup. They will face the reigning champions, Hapoel Rishon LeZion, in the next round. Bnei Yehuda's victory was spearheaded by Leona Odom, who recorded a double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds. The quarterfinal matchups are now set, including a potential clash between Elitzur Ramla and Hapoel Lev Yerushalayim.