Hapoel Tel Aviv Advances to Winner Cup Final, Aims for Revenge Against Maccabi Tel Aviv

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

Hapoel coach Dimitris Itoudis acknowledged Ness Ziona's preparation advantage, highlighting his team's depth and ongoing chemistry development. He praised his players' effort and noted the importance of Antwaine Blayney's clutch performance, emphasizing his offensive and defensive contributions. Itoudis also previewed their upcoming EuroLeague game against Valencia, detailing their analysis of the opponent's fast-paced play and strong point guard.

Blayney expressed confidence, crediting his teammates and coaches for their belief in him. He acknowledged his own desire to improve his shooting consistency but stressed the importance of making crucial shots. Looking ahead to the final, Blayney explicitly stated his preference for facing Maccabi Tel Aviv, driven by a desire for revenge after a significant loss. "We have to get them back, they defeated us badly. We think about it every day," he said, hoping Maccabi would win their semi-final.

Ness Ziona coach Paul Corsaro identified free throws as the key difference in the close game, lamenting missed crucial stops and defensive lapses. Despite the loss, Corsaro expressed pride in his team's fight, especially while missing two starters, and believes they are still improving. He saw the game as a valuable learning experience for future wins.