Hapoel Tel Aviv Prepares for Aggressive Besiktas in EuroLeague Double Week
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Hapoel Tel Aviv faces an aggressive Besiktas team in the EuroLeague, with coach Dimitris Itoudis emphasizing the need for intense play and concentration. The team has no injuries and is ready for the challenge, according to Itoudis and players Thomas Stratenský and Antonio Blakeney. They aim to improve their defense, particularly limiting three-point shots and sticking to their game plan after a recent loss to Valencia.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Hapoel Tel Aviv coach Dimitris Itoudis described Besiktas as a "very aggressive" EuroLeague opponent.
- The team has no injury concerns and is ready to play, according to coach Itoudis.
- Player Thomas Stratenský compared Besiktas's style to Valencia, against whom Hapoel recently lost.
- Hapoel aims to improve transition defense and limit Besiktas's three-point shooting.
- Players emphasized the need for 40 minutes of intense concentration and sticking to the game plan.
Hapoel Tel Aviv is gearing up for a challenging EuroLeague double week, beginning with a game against Turkish side Besiktas. Coach Dimitris Itoudis described Besiktas as a "very aggressive" team that thrives on full-court pressure and energy, combining experienced players with talented youth. He emphasized that no EuroLeague game is easy and stressed the need for 40 minutes of concentration, aggression, and rebounding.
Itoudis confirmed that Hapoel Tel Aviv has no injury concerns and is ready to play, citing the team's depth. Player Thomas Stratenský echoed the sentiment, calling it a "very difficult game" and comparing Besiktas's style to Valencia's, against whom Hapoel recently lost. He highlighted the importance of playing with the right intensity for the entire game.
Stratenský also pointed out the need for better transition defense and limiting Besiktas's three-point shooting, noting that the Turkish team relies heavily on these shots. He suggested forcing them into the paint instead of allowing open outside shots, an area where Hapoel felt they faltered against Valencia.
Player Antonio Blakeney anticipates a tough matchup and stressed the importance of playing stronger and more focused than the opponent. He advised sticking to the game plan, which he felt Hapoel deviated from against Valencia, and adapting it for Besiktas's different style.
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