Hapoel Tel Aviv Dominates EuroLeague Game Despite Shortened Roster
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Hapoel Tel Aviv achieved an impressive 118-88 EuroLeague victory over Anadolu Efes with a roster of only 11 players, drawing criticism for the absence of Israeli players. Antonio Blakeney led the scoring with a career-high 35 points, supported by the player and Elijah Bryant. Despite injuries to key players Vasilije Micić and Jake Toppin, the team is optimistic about their return for the next game against Dubai. The win improves Hapoel Tel Aviv's European record to 6-2.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Hapoel Tel Aviv defeated Anadolu Efes 118-88 in a EuroLeague game with only 11 players.
- Antonio Blakeney scored a career-high 35 points to lead the team's dominant performance.
- Club management criticized the professional staff for the absence of Israeli players.
- Key players Vasilije Micić and Jake Toppin missed the game due to illness and injury.
- The win improves Hapoel Tel Aviv's EuroLeague record to 6-2, placing them near the top.
Hapoel Tel Aviv secured a significant 118-88 victory over Anadolu Efes in a EuroLeague game, showcasing what coach Dimitris Itoudis called "perhaps their best game of the season in Europe." The team achieved this win despite an unusually small roster of only 11 players, a situation that drew criticism from senior management due to the absence of Israeli players.
Key performers in the decisive win included Antonio Blakeney, who set a career-high with 35 points, and the player, who returned to form after a difficult period. Elijah Bryant, a former Anadolu Efes player, also contributed significantly with 16 points and 12 assists. The team's performance was highlighted by a dominant 25-6 run in the second quarter, from which they never looked back.
Coach Itoudis acknowledged the challenging circumstances, noting the team arrived the previous night and played with a depleted squad. He praised the team's defensive effort in limiting a talented Anadolu Efes offense to 88 points. However, the decision to play without Israeli players Tamir Blatt, Bar Timor, Tomer Ginat, and another player who was not named, was met with disapproval from club leadership.
The absence of the Israeli players, along with injuries to Vasilije Micić and Jake Toppin, created a "short blanket" situation. Micić and Toppin are considered crucial players, and the team is optimistic they will be fit for their next game against Dubai on Friday. Toppin reportedly felt unwell, experiencing vertigo, and was taken to the hospital, while Micić, despite training fully, was held out as a precaution. Tai Odiase also sat out due to knee swelling and the game's favorable outcome, with Itoudis also mentioning Bruno Caboclo's strong play.
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. Itoudis emphasized the team's focus on moving forward, stating, "There is no time to breathe."
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