Hapoel Tel Aviv Secures Thrilling EuroLeague Victory Over Real Madrid

Hapoel Tel Aviv concluded a perfect double week in the EuroLeague by defeating Real Madrid 102-98 in a dramatic and closely contested match. The Israeli team established a commanding 20-point lead by halftime, but Real Madrid mounted a significant comeback, erasing the deficit and even taking the lead. In the final quarter, Hapoel Tel Aviv regrouped and managed to secure the victory.

Following the game, coach Dimitris Itoudis expressed pride in his players' resilience, stating, "With all due respect to Real, and there is a lot of respect, it felt like we beat them twice tonight." He acknowledged a perfect first half but noted poor decisions and defensive lapses allowed Real Madrid back into the game. Itoudis emphasized the team's need to show character, which he believes will be crucial for their future success against strong opponents like Real Madrid and Crvena Zvezda.

Itoudis also highlighted the importance of winning both games in this double week, especially after a less than ideal start to the season. He specifically praised player Kadyn Carrington for his defensive contributions in a different role. Player Elijah Bryant described the game as a "game of runs," where Hapoel needed to stick to their game plan, particularly focusing on limiting Real Madrid's Tavares. He stressed the importance of looking for each other on the court.

Player the player also commented on the game, admitting that the team allowed Real Madrid to come back too easily in the third quarter and that they need to improve their consistency over 40 minutes. He acknowledged the high level of competition in the EuroLeague and the significance of the double-week win, emphasizing the need for self-reflection on what went well and what needs improvement.