Maccabi Tel Aviv Advances to Winner Cup Final After Beating Hapoel Jerusalem
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Hapoel Jerusalem 88-71 to reach the Winner Cup final. Despite early struggles and ongoing team issues, Maccabi found its form in the second half, led by a resurgent Iftah Lundberg. Both teams face upcoming European competitions.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Maccabi Tel Aviv beat Hapoel Jerusalem to reach the Winner Cup final.
- The team overcame a slow start and recent EuroLeague losses.
- Iftah Lundberg's scoring sparked Maccabi's second-half comeback.
- Maccabi faces ongoing concerns with player integration and injuries.
- Hapoel Jerusalem struggled with low scoring from Israeli players.
Maccabi Tel Aviv secured a spot in the Winner Cup final with an 88-71 victory over Hapoel Jerusalem on Sunday, overcoming a sluggish first half. Despite recent struggles with three consecutive losses in the EuroLeague and a season start below expectations, the team found its rhythm in the second half. Iftah Lundberg, who had been underperforming, scored 14 points after a hesitant start, sparking the team's turnaround. Yam Madar contributed 8 points but struggled with his shooting, going 1 for 7 from the field.
Despite the crucial win, underlying issues persist for Maccabi. The team is seeking more consistent scoring from its backcourt, with Kithon Wallace and potentially a new player. Concerns also surround center Daniel Theis, who joined late after national team duty and has been hampered by an ankle injury. Theis, one of the team's highest earners at approximately $2.2 million per season on a two-year contract, has struggled to integrate and is currently sidelined again, with the club reportedly critical of his performance. A change at his position would be complex due to his contract.
"This is a new season with a new team," said Maccabi player Roman Sorkin, emphasizing the need for time to integrate new players and the team's process. "We showed desire and character, and also confidence and aggressiveness. We are not happy or satisfied after these three losses, but we have a long way to go." He expressed belief that results will improve with time.
On the other side, Hapoel Jerusalem expressed disappointment, particularly with the low offensive contribution from their Israeli players, who combined for only 12 points. Coach Sasha Obradovic acknowledged Maccabi's superior individual and team quality, calling them the first "serious opponent" they have faced. He noted the team's reliance on foreign players and the difficulty in adapting when momentum was lost, especially without a primary point guard. Hapoel Jerusalem will travel to Ljubljana for a EuroCup game, while Maccabi Tel Aviv heads to Belgrade for a EuroLeague matchup against Milan.
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