Coach Itoudis's men are the first Israeli side to reach this point since Hapoel Jerusalem in 2004
Hapoel found new go-to guys and made history
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Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv became the first Israeli team to reach the BKT EuroCup Finals in more than 20 years. Here is how it happened.
Before Game 3 against Valencia Basket at La Fonteta, all eyes were on playmaker Yam Madar and center Johnathan Motley, Hapoel's main threats on offense. Motley dominated in Game 2, leading Hapoel to a 96-91 win with 26 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and a PIR of 32. Madar was simply unstoppable in the series, averaging 21.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists and a PIR of 26.0 in the first two games.
Valencia was well aware of that. Madar showed up in Game 3 slowed by a knee problem and Motley got into early foul trouble, playing 19 minutes. Madar and Motley were limited to 8 points apiece but Hapoel managed to find ways to compete throughout the game, lighting it up from beyond the three-point line in the fourth quarter to qualify for the finals. By doing so, Hapoel became just the second Israeli team to reach the EuroCup Finals, as Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem lifted the trophy in 2004 after downing Real Madrid 73-82 in the championship game in Charleroi, Belgium.
Hapoel showed its full potential on a night in which its two superstars could not find their rhythm. Marcus Foster had a season-high 23 points against Buducnost VOLI Podgorica in Round 6, but he has been outstanding throughout the playoffs, getting 21 points in the quarterfinals against Turk Telekom Ankara, 20 in Game 1 against Valencia and 22 in the do-or-die Game 3, hitting the go-ahead jumper with 2.7 seconds remaining.
Antonio Blakeney allowed Hapoel to get that chance to win Game 3 down the stretch. He buried 5 of his 6 three-pointers in the fourth quarter, helping Hapoel tie an all-time record. Hapoel hit 9 three-pointers in the fourth period, tying the record for that period. Only Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse managed to do that in 2023. Blakeney finished the game with career highs of 32 points and 9 rebounds. Until then, Blakeney had averaged 10.8 points and 1.9 rebounds.
With Motley sitting on the bench due to foul trouble, coach Dimitris Itoudis found answers from Bruno Caboclo and Tomer Ginat. Caboclo hit a crucial triple in the fourth quarter. Ginat had 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and a PIR of 17. Caboclo was able to open the floor and use his fouls wisely on defense, and Ginat gave Hapoel a lot of versatility at power forward, finding a lot of advantages in transition against Nate Sestina and Semi Ojeleye.
Hapoel ended up hitting 26-of-36 two-pointers (72.2% 2FG) and buried 9-of-15 three-pointers in the fourth quarter. Once the long-distance shots starting to fall Hapoel took control of the game, and even when Valencia never gave up, Foster buried the final dagger to send Hapoel to the finals.
"I came back for this. I am the happiest person in the world," Madar claimed after the game. "I came to this game on one leg. I hoped I would be OK. I didn’t know how I would feel. I had a [painkiller] shot to be able to play…
"I think Foster made big baskets. As a team we knew who to go to, whether it was Foster or Blakeney. We trusted each other, even when it was less good. And it has brought us to the EuroCup Finals."
"We came in with a good mentality and good spirit. I think we came prepared for the game. Even they started I think 9-0 up, we were still calm and came back to the game," Caboclo said. "Marcus [Foster] made a great play and AB [Anthony Blakeney]. Motley had foul trouble, so some guys had to step up, and I'm glad that everybody stepped up and help the team to come with this victory."
Itoudis now has the chance to be the fourth coach to win the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and EuroCup titles, along with Dusan Ivkovic, David Blatt and Ergin Ataman.
"We were working through the quarters, half-times, changing details. We were changing details, they were changing details. And that made us even smarter as a group and as individuals," Itoudis said in the press conference room."I think we were composed on the fourth quarter. And also when they took the double digits, we were composed, stayed in our plan, believed and made some top baskets. In the first half, we shot more than 80% [in two-point shooting] and at the end of such an important game, we had over 70% for twos. Everybody who contributed deserves the applause."
Hapoel is now set to battle against Dreamland Gran Canaria for the EuroCup crown. Game 1 is scheduled in Samokov, Bulgaria on Tuesday, April 8.