Maccabi Tel Aviv Completes Stunning Comeback to Win Winner Cup Over Hapoel Tel Aviv
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Maccabi Tel Aviv staged an astonishing comeback to defeat Hapoel Tel Aviv 86-75 and win the Winner Cup for the 12th time. Trailing by 23 points in the third quarter, Maccabi launched a 42-7 run to secure the victory. Hapoel's Eugene German scored 26 points, but Maccabi's Jimmy Clark, Kithon Wallace, and Daniel Theis led the comeback. The two teams will face each other again on Thursday in the Euroleague.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Maccabi Tel Aviv won the Winner Cup 86-75 after a 23-point comeback against Hapoel Tel Aviv.
- Maccabi Tel Aviv's stunning comeback included a 42-7 scoring run in the final quarters.
- Eugene German led Hapoel Tel Aviv with 26 points, but key teammates struggled.
- Jimmy Clark, Kithon Wallace, and Daniel Theis were instrumental in Maccabi's improbable victory.
- This was Hapoel Tel Aviv's first local title appearance since 1993.
- The two rivals will meet again on Thursday in a Euroleague derby.
Maccabi Tel Aviv secured their 12th Winner Cup title in a dramatic final against Hapoel Tel Aviv, winning 86-75 after trailing by as many as 23 points deep into the third quarter. The incredible comeback was fueled by a remarkable 42-7 scoring run, turning the tide of a game that seemed lost for Maccabi.
Hapoel Tel Aviv, seeking their first local title since 1993, had appeared to be in a commanding position. They had entered the game amidst a slump, having lost six consecutive games, including a significant defeat to Maccabi in their previous league derby just eight days prior. Despite a strong offensive performance in the second quarter, particularly from Eugene German who hit five consecutive three-pointers, Hapoel found themselves trailing by double digits at halftime, 44-36.
The deficit widened further in the third quarter, with Hapoel establishing a 59-36 lead, a margin that suggested the game was decided. However, Maccabi, spurred by players who had faced recent criticism, began their improbable rally. Jimmy Clark, who finished with 24 points and 7 assists, along with Kithon Wallace and Daniel Theis, both scoring 16 points, led the charge. Jalen Hurd also contributed significantly with 12 points.
On the Hapoel side, Eugene German was a standout with 26 points, but other key players like Elijah Bryant (7 points), Antonio Blakeney (8 points, 6 turnovers), and Dan Otuoru (7 points) struggled to make an impact. The loss marks another missed opportunity for Hapoel to break their title drought.
The two fierce rivals are set to meet again on Thursday for their third derby in 12 days, this time in the Euroleague. This upcoming game will be Maccabi's first home game in Cyprus for the European competition, promising another intense encounter following these two wildly different, yet captivating, derby matches.
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