Hapoel Jerusalem Stays Perfect in EuroCup After Beating Aris
Translated & summarized from Sport5 by baba
Hapoel Jerusalem defeated Aris Thessaloniki 84-73 in Belgrade, maintaining their perfect 6-0 record in the EuroCup and securing first place in Group A. Player Jaylen Smith credited the "100 people" who attended for making it "feel like thousands" and boosting the team's second-half performance. Key scorers included Kenny Lôfton Jr. with 22 points and Shyke Milton with 19. Jerusalem will next play Tortona in the EuroCup and Hapoel Emeq Yizrael domestically.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Hapoel Jerusalem defeated Aris Thessaloniki 84-73 to remain undefeated in the EuroCup at 6-0.
- The win placed Hapoel Jerusalem in sole possession of first place in Group A of the EuroCup.
- Jaylen Smith stated that the 100 fans present "felt like thousands" and were crucial to the win.
- Kenny Lôfton Jr. led Jerusalem with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Shyke Milton added 19 points.
- Hapoel Jerusalem is reportedly seeking to move its home games to Cyprus.
- Approximately 100 fans traveled from Israel on a special flight to support the team.
Hapoel Jerusalem secured their sixth consecutive win in the EuroCup, defeating Aris Thessaloniki 84-73 in Belgrade on Wednesday. Both teams entered the game with identical 5-0 records, making this a crucial matchup for the Israeli club. The victory propelled Jerusalem to sole possession of first place in Group A.
Despite facing a strong defensive and offensive team with proven scorers, Jerusalem's offense struggled in the second half, managing only one field goal in the final 6:30 minutes. However, their defense held firm, and they delivered a near-perfect second half to secure the win. Jaylen Smith, who continued his strong season start, credited the "100 people" who attended, saying it "felt like thousands" and thanking them for their support.
"We woke up in the second half and with the crowd behind us it led us to victory. We were more aggressive in the second half and that helped us win. I'm happy we're returning home with a win," Smith stated. He also noted the team's increased aggression in the second half as a key factor.
Top scorers for Jerusalem included Kenny Lôfton Jr. with 22 points and 10 rebounds, Shyke Milton with 19, Lorenzo Brown with 11, and Jaylen Smith with 10. The team is now preparing for a matchup against Italian team Tortona next week, aiming to continue their winning streak.
Domestically, Jerusalem faces Hapoel Emeq Yizrael on Sunday. The club is reportedly seeking to relocate its home games to Cyprus, similar to Maccabi Tel Aviv, but has not yet received approval. Approximately 100 fans traveled from Israel on a special flight to support the team in Belgrade, alongside owner Matan Adelson and former player Gal Mekel.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Centre 4Other 1
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.