Hapoel Tel Aviv Chase First Title Since 1969 Ahead of Best-of-Five Final

Hapoel Tel Aviv is waiting to learn whether it will face Maccabi Tel Aviv or Hapoel Holon in the best-of-five championship series, which begins Tuesday. Inside the club, though, the message is already clear: after sweeping Hapoel Jerusalem 3-0, the red team’s stated mission is to bring the club its first league title since 1969.

The mood improved earlier in the day when Hapoel’s appeal was accepted, turning the opening game of the semifinal into a technical win. But the celebration lasted only a few minutes, as the club immediately shifted its focus to keeping the players grounded before next week’s decisive challenge.

“A source in the club” summed up the moment by saying, “It is time we win the plate, this is our time.” The team’s run to the final was led by Vasilije Micic and Yam Madar, who have formed a strong backcourt partnership.

Micic said the group went through many rotations and changes during the season while searching for chemistry, but now understands that late in the campaign “the priority is first of all to win, and everything else needs to be set aside.” He added that he tries to treat every game “as if it were my last,” and praised Madar for his work ethic, saying he has “given a lot to this team” and “always gives his best” in games and practice.