Hapoel Tel Aviv Owner Slams Referee, Defends Coach After Cup Final Loss
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Ofer Yanai, owner of Hapoel Tel Aviv, criticized referee Sefi Shemesh after the team's 86-75 loss to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Winner Cup final. Yanai defended coach Dimitris Itoudis, calling him a valuable asset to the club. He also commented on Maccabi's coach Oded Katash and player Yam Madar's move. Yanai hopes for Hapoel's first title by February.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Hapoel Tel Aviv owner Ofer Yanai criticized referee Sefi Shemesh after the team's cup final loss.
- Yanai suggested the 58-year-old referee Shemesh should retire due to his performance and physical condition.
- The owner defended coach Dimitris Itoudis, calling him a valuable asset to the club.
- Hapoel Tel Aviv lost the Winner Cup final 86-75 to Maccabi Tel Aviv after leading by 23 points.
- Yanai hopes Hapoel Tel Aviv will win their first title by February.
- Yanai commented on Maccabi's coach Oded Katash and player Yam Madar's situation.
Hapoel Tel Aviv's owner, Ofer Yanai, expressed deep disappointment following his team's 86-75 loss to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Winner Cup final, a game where Hapoel had led by 23 points in the third quarter. Yanai criticized referee Sefi Shemesh, calling his behavior arrogant and suggesting the 58-year-old referee, who he claimed "barely moves, barely sees," should retire. Yanai also alleged a group within the referees' association manipulates major games.
Despite the loss, Yanai defended coach Dimitris Itoudis, calling him an "asset" to the club and crediting him with Hapoel's rise to EuroLeague status. Yanai acknowledged the team's struggles with Israeli players, noting that a full roster including Tomer, Carrington, Tamir, and possibly Topin would strengthen them in the Israeli league. He expressed hope for a first title by February.
Yanai also commented on Maccabi Tel Aviv, stating he believes coach Oded Katash's position is stable. He addressed player Yam Madar's departure from Hapoel, acknowledging Madar's contribution to their EuroLeague promotion but stating the player made his choice and the team is satisfied with the current situation.
Regarding the future of European basketball, Yanai referenced Itoudis's comments about the EuroLeague potentially expanding, suggesting a future model where top teams might play fewer domestic games, similar to Serbian clubs. He emphasized the desire for strong Israeli teams, including both Hapoel and Maccabi.
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