Hapoel Tel Aviv Secures First EuroLeague Win Against Crvena Zvezda

Hapoel Tel Aviv achieved their first victory in the EuroLeague basketball competition, narrowly defeating Crvena Zvezda Belgrade 81-80 on the road. The win came on Tuesday, marking a significant achievement in what coach Dimitris Itoudis described as one of Europe's toughest arenas. Itoudis emphasized the team's collective strength, stating, "When we are together, we are unbeatable."

The victory was largely attributed to the performance of Elijah Bryant, who bounced back after a disappointing game and a previous absence due to illness. Bryant recorded a career-high in the EuroLeague with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals. Team sources noted his potential to be an MVP candidate this season, driven by last year's performance.

Vasilije Micić also received praise for his 11 points and 6 rebounds. Despite a poor three-point shooting performance for most of the game, Micić made two crucial three-pointers in the closing minutes to secure the win. The team expressed confidence in his abilities and highlighted his strong preparation for the season.

Hapoel Tel Aviv is now focusing on their upcoming game against Real Madrid, a rematch of last season's playoff series. The team aims to make a statement with a win against Madrid, despite acknowledging that many have already written them off after an early loss. "No one gives us a chance, but a win against Real and two wins in the double week are a real statement," the team stated.

Amir Coffey will miss the game against Real Madrid on Thursday, while Jake Topin is questionable due to an injury sustained in practice. The team will travel to Sofia to host Real Madrid.