Hapoel Holon Loses Close FIBA Champions League Game Amidst Injuries and Coaching Change
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Hapoel Holon lost a close 90-85 FIBA Champions League game to Rasta Vechta on Tuesday, ending a two-game winning streak and complicating their advancement chances. The team played with an interim coach and multiple player absences due to injury and release. Despite a 19-point deficit, Holon fought back, with Lester Medford scoring 20 points. A new coach is expected before their next domestic game on Monday.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Hapoel Holon lost 90-85 to Rasta Vechta in the FIBA Champions League, falling to a 2-2 record.
- The team played with an interim coach and was missing three key players due to injury and release.
- Holon overcame a 19-point deficit but ultimately lost, with Lester Medford scoring 20 points.
- Player Yair Kravitz sustained an ankle injury during the game.
- A new head coach is expected before Holon's next domestic game on Monday.
Hapoel Holon suffered a narrow 90-85 defeat to Germany's Rasta Vechta in the FIBA Champions League group stage on Tuesday, halting a two-game winning streak in the competition. The loss leaves Holon with a 2-2 record, complicating their path to the next round. They are currently third in their group, behind Spartak and Shula, with Vechta in last place.
The team played under interim head coach Ophir Perahi, assisted by Saghi Shalo, following the dismissal of head coach Predrag Krunic on Sunday. The coaching staff had to contend with significant player absences. Claudeal Harris tore his ACL, Sam Iorio suffered from a "wooden leg" (likely referring to a leg injury), and Rivaldo Soares was released after an altercation with fans.
Holon fell behind by double digits in the second quarter, at one point trailing by 19 points. Player Yair Kravitz sustained an ankle injury in the second quarter, adding to the team's woes and forcing improvisation. Kravitz is experiencing swelling and pain and will undergo further examination.
"We were very close to winning but got tired at the end," a team source stated. "We had bad luck with the absences and unnecessary misses, but on the other hand, we played well, managed to get back into the game properly, and the players fought hard."
Lester Medford led Holon's scorers with 20 points, all in the second half, along with 4 assists. Adama Sanogo recorded a double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Israeli player Shaher Amir contributed 11 points and 5 rebounds. Skylar Weeks debuted, scoring 5 points and grabbing 3 rebounds.
Holon's next game is Monday against Hapoel Emeq, and the team is expected to have a new head coach by then. Their next Champions League match is in about a month against group leaders Spartak.
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