Hapoel Tel Aviv Chairman Addresses Team's EuroLeague Prospects and Player Status

Hapoel Tel Aviv's chairman, Stav Shaham, stated that the team is still in a strong position despite a recent loss in the Israeli Basketball Premier League. He expressed confidence in the coach, Dimitris Itoudis, calling him one of Europe's most decorated. Shaham anticipates a high probability of the team receiving a EuroLeague license within the next three weeks, potentially returning to host games in Israel by December. He also addressed the citizenship issue of player Jacob Toppin, describing it as a bureaucratic matter nearing resolution.

Shaham revealed that Itoudis had personally contacted him, expressing concern over Tamar Blatt's unavailability for a recent game against Hapoel Jerusalem due to a minor injury. This contrasted with Itoudis's previous stance on Blatt, indicating a shift in his plans. Itoudis himself commented after the game that Blatt's return depended on his recovery and integration with the team, noting he had expected him to play.

Hapoel Tel Aviv suffered their first league defeat of the season, losing 70-60 to Hapoel Jerusalem, despite a strong start to their EuroLeague campaign. Shaham emphasized that the league is long and that the team can make adjustments, including player substitutions, before the playoffs.