Hapoel Tel Aviv Dominates Hapoel Be'er Sheva to Reach Winner Cup Semifinals

Hapoel Tel Aviv secured a decisive 85-67 victory over Hapoel Be'er Sheva/Dimona in the quarterfinals of the Winner Cup, advancing to the semifinals. The win came after a disappointing start to the official season, including consecutive losses to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Super Cup and Bayern Munich in the EuroLeague.

The team, coached by Dimitris Itoudis, displayed clear superiority throughout most of the game, which was held in Hadera. Tai Odiase led the charge early, with Kadyn Carrington also contributing significantly. Despite efforts from Be'er Sheva's Lovell Cabbil, Hapoel Tel Aviv's pace and depth proved decisive, ending the first quarter with a 27-19 lead.

Hapoel Tel Aviv extended their control in the second quarter, with contributions from Bruno Caboclo and Ish Wainright, building a 42-29 halftime advantage. The team continued its strong performance after the break, with Bar Timor adding a three-pointer and Wainright hitting crucial shots. Odiase established a game-high lead of 52-31, and the third quarter concluded with Hapoel leading 61-44.

In the final quarter, Be'er Sheva attempted to narrow the deficit, but Hapoel Tel Aviv maintained a comfortable lead, controlling the tempo and preventing any comeback. The victory was achieved despite resting key players like Vasilije Micić, Dan O'Rourke, Antonio Blakeney, and Elijah Bryant. Odiase, Carrington, Wainright, and Timor were highlighted for their performances, while Cabbil was Be'er Sheva's standout player.

This win is significant for Hapoel Tel Aviv, providing a much-needed confidence boost after recent defeats. They will face the winner of the quarterfinal match between Hapoel Galil Elyon and Ironi Ness Ziona in the semifinals, aiming for their first title of the 2026-27 season.