Hapoel Tel Aviv Praised as One of EuroLeague's Best by Valencia Coach

Hapoel Tel Aviv is considered one of the top teams in the EuroLeague, according to Valencia coach Xavi Albert. Ahead of their upcoming match in the fourth round of the tournament, Albert acknowledged Hapoel's significant talent and the numerous threats they pose.

Albert specifically highlighted Hapoel's pick-and-roll capabilities, citing players like Bryant and Micic as key offensive weapons who generate points and assists. He stressed the need for increased intensity and pressure against them, noting that Hapoel possesses a wide array of tools they utilize effectively depending on game flow. "Hapoel's list of threats is long, and sometimes the blanket doesn't cover everything," Albert stated, indicating the need for varied game plans.

Despite Hapoel's impressive recent victories over Crvena Zvezda and Real Madrid, Albert focused on his own team's performance. He acknowledged that based on budget, playing level, and players, Hapoel would be considered a top contender on paper, but emphasized Valencia's concentration on self-improvement. "It doesn't matter at all what the previous results were; we are focusing on the things we can improve," he said.

Albert also discussed Valencia's own team identity, emphasizing the importance of unity, values, and a collective will to persevere. He addressed Valencia's slow starts in recent games, calling it a "red light" but preferring consistent, minor adjustments over drastic changes. He downplayed the significance of Valencia's perfect 3-0 EuroLeague record, attributing more importance to their success in winning two away games.