Hapoel Tel Aviv Survives Belgrade Thriller for First EuroLeague Win

Hapoel Tel Aviv secured their first victory in the 2026/27 EuroLeague season with a dramatic 81-80 win over Crvena Zvezda Belgrade on the road. The Israeli team, coached by Dimitris Itoudis, led for most of the game, building double-digit advantages multiple times. However, the Serbian hosts repeatedly fought back, making the game a nail-biter decided in the final seconds.

Elijah Bryant was instrumental for Hapoel, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Zach LeDay and Antonio Blakeney each added 12 points, while Vasilije Micić contributed 11, including crucial plays in the closing moments. This win helped Hapoel bounce back from their opening-week loss to Bayern Munich, bringing their record to 1-1.

Hapoel started aggressively, with Bryant setting the pace and strong defense and offense establishing an early 28-18 lead by the end of the first quarter. Despite Crvena Zvezda's comeback attempts in the second quarter, fueled by their home crowd, Hapoel responded with a run of their own to lead 45-35 at halftime. Bryant was a key figure throughout, consistently stopping the opponent's momentum and ending the third quarter with Hapoel leading 67-59.

The final quarter turned into a tense battle of nerves. Hapoel maintained a lead, but turnovers and missed shots allowed Crvena Zvezda to close the gap. Micić's timely baskets were vital in keeping Hapoel ahead amidst the chaotic final minutes. Crvena Zvezda's Jared Butler, who finished with 19 points, hit a three-pointer in the dying seconds to cut the deficit to one, but it wasn't enough to complete the comeback.

Coach Itoudis praised his team's character, highlighting their ability to recover from the first loss and perform under pressure in a difficult away arena. He noted that the team is still building chemistry with new players and hasn't had much time to practice with a full roster. Bryant acknowledged the win but stressed the need for defensive improvements, emphasizing continuous learning. Hapoel now looks ahead to a challenging game against Real Madrid on Thursday, a rematch of last season's playoff quarter-final.