Hapoel Tel Aviv Stages Dramatic Comeback to Defeat Real Madrid in EuroLeague

Hapoel Tel Aviv secured a thrilling 102-98 victory over Real Madrid in Sofia, Bulgaria, in a EuroLeague basketball game. The Israeli team demonstrated remarkable resilience, overcoming a significant deficit to claim their second consecutive win in the tournament, improving their record to 2-1.

Under coach Dimitrios Itoudis, Hapoel Tel Aviv delivered a dominant first half and extended their lead to 67-45 by the third quarter. However, Real Madrid mounted an impressive comeback, erasing the 22-point gap. In the crucial final moments, Hapoel's star player, Elijah Bryant, stepped up to lead the team to victory.

Bryant was instrumental in the win, flirting with a triple-double and finishing with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists, earning a game-high efficiency rating of 40. Vasilije Micic contributed 22 points, while Bruno Caboclo and Zach LeDay each scored 15 points. Caboclo was particularly effective from beyond the arc, making all five of his three-point attempts before fouling out. Antonio Blakeney also played a key role in the decisive fourth quarter, adding 12 points.

Real Madrid, coached by Pedro Martinez, experienced a historic loss, marking their first-ever 0-3 start in the EuroLeague. Key performers for Real Madrid included Theo Maledon with 26 points, Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot with 21, and Edy Tavares who grabbed 13 rebounds and scored 14 points. The Spanish team's rally, a 30-7 run, tied the game at 75-75 after three quarters.

Hapoel Tel Aviv will next compete in the Winner's Cup against Ironi Ness Ziona before facing Valencia in an away game. Real Madrid faces Partizan Belgrade next week.