Israeli Basketball Derby Sparks Outrage Over Lengthy Game and Refereeing

Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Hapoel Tel Aviv 80-73 in a basketball derby that lasted nearly two and a half hours, drawing significant criticism across Europe. The extended game duration and frequent referee interventions, including numerous video reviews, were the primary points of contention. European sports outlets and journalists expressed frustration, with some calling for rule changes to prevent such marathon matches.

"Eurohoops" acknowledged Maccabi's win but highlighted the "very long and very hot game, with refereeing decisions that stole the show." Spanish journalist Alex Molina stated, "The rules need to be changed. The officiating was problematic, it was a marathon in every sense." The sentiment was echoed by blogger Arai Amin Aydemir, who claimed, "The referees ruined the game between Maccabi and Hapoel. They went to the monitor every time, every time."

Further criticism came from BSLPicks, which noted, "The game between Maccabi and Hapoel was not predictable. The third quarter lasted almost an hour." The overall sentiment from European observers was disappointment with the game's excessive length and the perceived over-reliance on video reviews by the referees, suggesting a need for adjustments to the sport's regulations.