Hapoel Tel Aviv center Daan Otoru returns to Israel ahead of final series

Hapoel Tel Aviv has received a major boost before the start of the Israeli league final series against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Center Daan Otoru landed at Ben Gurion Airport on Monday after leaving the country last week because of the security escalation and missile attacks.

Otoru is expected to join the team’s final practice later today and could be in the squad for tomorrow night’s first game in the derby. His return gives coach Dimitris Itoudis back one of his key anchors at a crucial stage of the title fight.

Otoru and Antonio Blakeney both left Israel during the semifinal series against Hapoel Jerusalem, flying to Greece out of concern for the security situation. Their departure left Itoudis with a very short bench. Hapoel now hopes to bring back Blakeney as well, who is still abroad.

The club said it remains in constant contact with Blakeney and his representatives in an effort to persuade him to return in time to help in the final series. Hapoel is chasing its first league championship since 1969, and officials believe Otoru’s comeback could also encourage Blakeney to rejoin the team.