Hapoel Tel Aviv Dominates Anadolu Efes Despite Shortened Roster
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Hapoel Tel Aviv achieved a dominant 118-88 EuroLeague victory over Anadolu Efes, with Antonio Blakeney scoring a career-high 35 points. The win came despite the team registering only 11 players, including the absence of several Israeli players and injured stars Vasilije Micić and Jake Toppin. Coach Dimitris Itoudis expressed satisfaction with the team's performance but hopes for the return of key players for their next game.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Hapoel Tel Aviv defeated Anadolu Efes 118-88 in a EuroLeague game.
- Antonio Blakeney scored a career-high 35 points for Hapoel Tel Aviv.
- The team played with only 11 registered players due to absences and injuries.
- Israeli players Tamir Blatt, Bar Timor, and Tomer Ginat were among those absent.
- Injured players Vasilije Micić and Jake Toppin are expected to return soon.
- Hapoel Tel Aviv holds a 6-2 record in the EuroLeague.
Hapoel Tel Aviv secured a decisive 118-88 victory over Anadolu Efes in a EuroLeague game, marking what coach Dimitris Itoudis described as potentially their best European performance of the season. The team achieved this win despite arriving late the previous night and facing a significantly depleted roster.
Key players Antonio Blakeney and the player were instrumental in the win. Blakeney set a career-high with 35 points, while the player, returning to form after a difficult period, contributed significantly against his former team. Elijah Bryant, another former Anadolu Efes player, added 16 points and 12 assists.
Despite the impressive performance, the team's decision to register only 11 players drew criticism from senior management, particularly the absence of Israeli players Tamir Blatt, Bar Timor, Tomer Ginat, and another player who was not named. These players were not present in Sofia due to various circumstances, including the injuries of Vasilije Micić and Jake Toppin, which created a "short blanket" situation.
Itoudis explained that both Micić and Toppin were unavailable due to health issues. Toppin felt unwell with vertigo, requiring a hospital visit, while Micić, despite training fully, was held out as a precaution. Tai Odiase also sat out due to knee swelling, with the player and Bruno Caboclo performing well.
The team is optimistic that both Micić and Toppin will be fit for their upcoming game against Dubai on Friday. This marks the second time Hapoel Tel Aviv has played a European game without any Israeli players. The team currently holds a 6-2 record in the EuroLeague, placing them near the top of the standings.
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