Hectic continental week for Israeli clubs
| Author | JOSHUA HALICKMAN |
| Published date | 11 October 2021 |
| Publication title | Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel) |
Hapoel Jerusalem will welcome Spanish squad Manresa on Wednesday night, while Hapoel Holon will head to Turkey for a date with Darussafaka in Champions League play.
Hapoel Eilat and Hapoel Gilboa/Galil will both play away from home in Europe Cup action against Rilski and Reggiana, respectively, while Hapoel Galil Elyon welcomes Balkan and the Leumit League's Ironi Nahariya hosts Beroe in Balkan League play.
Meanwhile, in the opening round of Israel Winner League games, Maccabi Tel Aviv took out its Euroleague frustrations after falling to Red Star Belgrade on Hapoel Haifa as the Yellow & Blue downed the Carmel Reds 84-59. After a close first frame, Ioannis Sfairopoulos's team poured on the offense and played stifling defense over the course of the second and third quarters to cruise to the victory.
Keenan Evans led Maccabi with 14 points, Iftach Ziv added 12 points, five assists and four steals while John DiBartolomeo scored 11 points in the win.
Kadeem Allen was Haifa's top scorer with 17 points, Amit Simhon checked in with nine points and Scottie James added eight points in the loss.
Sfairpoulos spoke about the win following the game.
"Today we were very concentrated offensively and defensively and we controlled the game from the beginning. Haifa is a very good team with a good coach, but we disorganized them in the second and third quarters. The players committed to and followed the plan and played a good game offensively with five players in double digits. This was very important as we played as a team."
The bench boss also talked about one of the club's newcomers, Kameron Taylor, who scored five points in 22 minutes.
"The team is new and I have to admit I haven't used Kameron the right way until now. He played very well today and he has quality. Sometimes I also have to learn the team and rotations. We didn't have a lot of games before the season and we didn't have a chance to build these things. The players are learning me and I am learning the players."
Ziv, also in his first year with the yellow-and-blue, reflected on the victory.
"It was clear how important it was for us to come out prepared for this game after losing to Red Star [in the Euroleague]. We were able to put the game plan in place. Causing turnovers is something that we want to do this season and we would like to do what Red Star did to...
To continue reading
Request your trial