Hapoel Tel Aviv Advances to Winner Cup Final, Eyes Rematch with Maccabi

Hapoel Tel Aviv secured a hard-fought 79-76 victory over Ironi Ness Ziona on Saturday, advancing to the Winner Cup final with a depleted roster. They will face the winner of the game between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem.

Hapoel coach Dimitris Itoudis acknowledged his team's chemistry is still developing due to a deep roster and a lack of preparation time compared to Ness Ziona. He praised his players' effort and highlighted Anthony Blakey's clutch performance, noting his offensive and defensive contributions. Itoudis also discussed upcoming EuroLeague challenges, specifically analyzing Valencia's fast-paced game.

Blakey, who was instrumental in the win, expressed confidence in his abilities, crediting his coaches and teammates for their belief and for giving him the ball in crucial moments. Despite his clutch play, Blakey stated he is not satisfied with his season's start and aims to improve his shooting, emphasizing his role as a shooter. He explicitly stated his desire to face Maccabi Tel Aviv in the final, seeking revenge for a previous heavy defeat.

Ness Ziona coach Paul Corsaro identified free throws as the key difference in the close game, lamenting his team's inability to make critical stops and secure necessary baskets. He acknowledged Hapoel Tel Aviv as a strong opponent and expressed pride in his team's fight despite missing two starters, believing they can learn from the experience and improve.