Hapoel Tel Aviv Secures Third Straight EuroLeague Win
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Hapoel Tel Aviv achieved their third consecutive EuroLeague victory by defeating Bologna after a strong second-half performance. Coach Dimitris Itoudis criticized the team's initial lack of competitiveness but praised their effort and resilience in the second half. Player Zach LeDay sealed the win with a late three-pointer and celebrated with the coach, emphasizing the team's fighting spirit and family atmosphere.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Hapoel Tel Aviv secured their third straight EuroLeague win against Bologna.
- Coach Dimitris Itoudis noted a poor first half but praised the team's second-half effort.
- Zach LeDay hit a game-sealing three-pointer and celebrated with coach Itoudis.
- LeDay stated the team is a "family" and is "fighting to be the best."
- The team showed resilience after a slow start with low energy.
Hapoel Tel Aviv continued their winning streak in the EuroLeague, securing their third consecutive victory with a dominant second half against Bologna on Wednesday. The team's performance followed a successful double week and a significant win over Panathinaikos.
Coach Dimitris Itoudis expressed his disappointment with the team's first-half performance, noting a lack of competitive spirit. "I said at halftime that what wasn't good was that it looked like we didn't come to compete," Itoudis stated. "At halftime we talked, we went out and played like greats, we showed effort. We proved that the size of the squad we have is important." He highlighted the contributions of players like Topin, who provided effort, rebounds, and blocks after a long absence from the bench, and Odiase, who played well despite a recent injury. Itoudis emphasized the need for greater competitiveness in the EuroLeague, stating that allowing 50 points in the first half was excessive.
With less than a minute remaining, player Zach LeDay sealed the victory with a three-pointer. He then celebrated enthusiastically with Itoudis, pressing his head against the coach's. "My head is fine, he was excited. He practices these pick-and-pop shots a lot," Itoudis commented on the interaction.
LeDay described the moment as "big" and expressed the team's strong desire for the win. "We are fighting to be the best. We are a family, looking forward to continuing to improve," he said. Reflecting on the game, LeDay acknowledged a slow start with low energy but praised the team's resilience. "We showed as a team that we are not a team that breaks when it's tough," LeDay noted. "What I liked is that we stayed [strong] when it was tough, this is a marathon and there are many games. I'm proud of the staff and the team for doing this. I am confident in my way, examining the defensive shape and my teammates find me. The result doesn't matter when you trust your way."
