Hapoel tied an all-time BKT EuroCup record in a legendary victory 


A rain of threes sends Hapoel to the finals 

[Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/roster/hta/?season=2024-25) advanced to the BKT EuroCup Finals for the first time in club history thanks to [a 92-94 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/hapoel-upsets-valencia-to-reach-the-finals-92-94/) over [Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/pam/?season=2024-25) in an outstanding basketball game at La Fonteta. Hapoel trailed for most of the game but found answers from beyond the arc right when it needed them most.

Hapoel struggled from beyond the three-point line in the first three quarters but found ways to be effective and stay in the game. At halftime, Hapoel had scored just 1 of 10 three-point shots and had committed 7 turnovers. Coach [Dimitris Itoudis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/itoudis-dimitris?season=U2024)'s team was extremely effective in the paint, making 18 of 21 two-pointers (85.7% 2FG). 

Things did not improve in the third quarter, in which only [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yam-madar/011052/) was able to strike from downtown. As a team, Hapoel entered he fourth quarter with an 11.1% accuracy from three-point range. In Games 1 and 2, Hapoel averaged 40.4% from downtown.

It was only logical that Hapoel improved its shooting percentage in the fourth quarter but tying an all-time EuroCup record in a do-or-die semifinal game was something no-one saw it coming.

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv downed 9 three-pointers in the fourth quarter to get a 92-94 road win in Game 3 of its semifinal playoffs series against Valencia Basket. Only one other team had been able to hit that many threes in a fourth quarter: Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse also downed nine shots from beyond the arc in a 92-88 loss against 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys on January 25, 2023.

Hapoel tied EuroCup record

Madar and [Marcus Foster](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marcus-foster/010386/) got the shooting party started with a three-pointer apiece early in the fourth quarter to put Hapoel ahead, 68-71. After [Antonio Blakeney](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/antonio-blakeney/013402/) added back-to-back triples, Valencia needed a timeout at 68-77. Hapoel was far from done: Foster and Blakeney each insisted from beyond the arc after [Bruno Caboclo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/bruno-caboclo/012096/) hit his own shot from downtown. Even though Blakeney had time for a sixth three-pointer, Valencia managed to tie the game, 92-92, on free throws by [Jean Montero](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jean-montero/010042/). Foster buried the game-winning jumper with 3.1 seconds remaining.

Hapoel tied a EuroCup record by making 9 three-pointers in the fourth quarter. Only one other team had been able to make as many threes in a fourth quarter: [Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cosea-jl-bourg-en-bresse/bou/?season=2024-25) also downed 9 shots from beyond the arc in [a 92-88 loss](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/orelik-leads-lietkabelis-to-fifth-win/) against [7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys/lkb/?season=2024-25) on January 25, 2023. Hapoel only scored 4 of its 31 points inside the arc, but it was Foster's shot that made the difference down the stretch. 

Hapoel was close the record for most fourth-quarter points in a EuroCup Semifinals. UNICS Kazan holds the record with 34 in [a 100-107 road victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2020-21/virtus-segafredo-bologna-unics-kazan/U2020/183/) against Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Game 3 of the 2021 semifinals.

Game Videos

"It was a great game. It was a hard fought series. Obviously, we knew it wasn't going to be easy. Losing that first game was tough," Blakeney said after the game. "But it showed a lot of character about our team to come back and win two games in a row versus a great team like Valencia."

Blakeney finished the game with 32 points and 9 rebounds. Hapoel ended up burying 9 of 15 three-pointers (60%) in the fourth quarter and turning the ball over just three times after the break.

"AB \[Antonio Blakeney\] and Marcus \[Foster\] were very confident one-on-one. We based a lot of situations on them breaking one-on-one on their defense, attacking certain players. Montero was with four fouls, we want to attack him and \[Brancou\] [Badio](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/brancou-badio/007527/) at the same time. They were doing the same things on their offense, on their offensive end with their goal screens or isolations over there," Coach Itoudis said after the game. We were good and confident that we can hit shots. This is the way we practice, they stay over there and do extra work on their shots, and the team was supporting that."

Game News

Hapoel tied a EuroCup record in a historic victory 


A rain of threes sent Hapoel to the finals 

Valencia Basket v Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (2025-04-02T18:30:00.000Z)

Dreamland Grand Canaria fully vindicated its name after a 72-76 win at Bahcesehir College Istanbul gave the Spanish outfit a well-deserved triumph over its Turkish rival in a rip-roaring BKT EuroCup semifinal series, largely thanks to Caleb Homesley’s heroics

Caleb Homesley propelled Gran Canaria past Bahcesehir 

[Dreamland Grand Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/can/?season=2024-25) fully vindicated its name after [a 72-76 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/gran-canaria-beats-bahcesehir-72-76-to-reach-the-finals/) at [Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/bah/?season=2024-25) gave the Spanish outfit a well-deserved triumph over its Turkish rival in a rip-roaring BKT EuroCup semifinal series, largely thanks to [Caleb Homesley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/caleb-homesley/011251/)’s heroics.

With Bahcesehir leading the best-of-three series 1-0 and forging a 66-68 lead late in Game 2, Homesley came up with [a clutch three-point play](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/videos/homesley-keeps-gran-canaria-alive-magic-moment/?feedId=62eb7d6ed179705484231217&title=EuroCup%20Magic%20Moments) with one second left on the clock to [even the series](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/gran-canaria-still-alive-after-69-68-win-over-bahcesehir-thanks-to-homesley-heroics/) and force a tiebreaker in Istanbul.

That was the solitary shot Homesley made from the floor and having sank 4 free throws, he finished on a mere 6 points but few Gran Canaria fans were bothered as the guard’s late antics had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

Homesley then found his range and room to operate in Game 3, knocking down a pair of triples in the third quarter and another one late in the fourth, giving Granca a decisive 71-73 lead before he put the icing on the cake with a pair of free throws with 0.1 seconds left on the clock.

Caleb Homesley propelled Gran Canaria past Bahcesehir

“I am really proud of our guys, the organization and the coaching staff,” a humble as ever Homesley said in his postgame comments after posting a team-high 19 points. “It hasn’t been an easy EuroCup season as we’ve won some and lost some, but tonight was a testament to our hard work throughout the season. It’s all about confidence and as long as you refocus and understand what you need to do better, the outcome is whatever it may be.”

It was a fitting end to this season’s rivalry between the two teams, as they also met twice during the regular season with each side winning on home court. The pattern continued in the opening two games of the semifinal series before Gran Canaria flipped the script when the chips were down.

It put Granca and their head Jaka Lakovic in dreamland after a tough regular season in which the Spanish side finished third in Group A on a 12-6 record, which denied the competition’s 2023 champions a bye in the first knockout round and an automatic quarterfinal berth.

Having squeezed past visiting [Umana Reyer Venice 84-80 in the eighthfinals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/gran-canaria-outlasts-reyer-84-80/), Gran Canaria ground out [an 89-92 road win at Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/gran-canaria-beats-hapoel-89-92-to-advance-to-semifinals/) in the last eight to book what turned out to be a captivating semifinal series against Bahcesehir.

In his postgame comment, Lakovic reflected on the monumental effort it took the reach the finals. 

“It was a tough game as we expected it to be, much like all five games we played against Bahcesehir this season,” the Slovenian tactician said.  “We are talking about a great team as they were the best in the group stage. This game came down to one possession and some free throws in the end, we were just a little luckier and we collected some important rebounds,” he added.

There is little doubt that Bahcesehir will find it difficult to stomach its first home loss of the season in the EuroCup after 11 straight victories, having clinched Group A with a 14-4 record to emerge as the favorite to reach the championship series from its side of the draw.

The Turkish team’s head coach Dejan Radonjic tried to put on a brave face but he could not disguise bitter disappointment after his men failed to hold on in the home stretch, having nosed ahead 71-70 on the back of a [Jaleen Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaleen-smith/011192/) three-pointer.    

“Congrats to Gran Canaria for the win, it was yet another tough game between these two teams,” Radonjic said. “It came down to the last possession after we missed 5 free throws in the last 10 minutes. We need to analyze the game and then focus on the next one.”

The 28-year-old guard emerged as the Spanish team’s game-winner twice in two games 

Bahcesehir College Istanbul v Dreamland Gran Canaria (2025-04-02T17:00:00.000Z)

Antonio Blakeney had a career-night performance to lift Hapoel at la Fonteta


Hapoel upsets Valencia to reach the Finals, 92-94! 

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv advanced to the BKT EuroCup Finals for the first time in club history by edging Valencia Basket 92-94 in Game 3 of their best-of-three finals. 

Antonio Blakeney paced the winners with 32 points and 9 rebounds. Marcus Foster added 22 points, including the go-ahead jumper with 2.7 seconds left, while Tomer Ginat netted 11 for Hapoel, which will have the home-court advantage in the final series against Dreamland Gran Canaria. Brancou Badio led Valencia with 20 points. Jean Montero added 14 while Nate Reuvers had 10 for the hosts.

Jaime Pradilla got Valencia going with a dunk and Matt Costello added a three-pointer for a 5-0 lead. Badio stepped up with consecutive driving layups to boost the hosts' margin to 9-2. Johnathan Motley followed a power layup with a jumper before Ish Wainright's basket made it a one-point game. Blakeney made a corner triple and a stop-and-pop jumper that gave Hapoel a 9-13 lead, after a 0-11 run. Josep Puerto stepped up with a layup-plus-foul, which Stefan Jovic followed with a driving basket. Costello struck from beyond the arc, prompting a Hapoel timeout at 17-13. Foster matched Pradilla's jump hook with a fallaway jumper before Sergio De Larrea's three-pointer boosted his team's lead to 22-15 after 10 minutes.

De Larrea kept pushing Valencia early in the second quarter. Foster swished a mid-range jumper, which Semi Ojeleye bettered with a triple that made it a double-digit game, 27-17.  After Montero scored in penetration, Foster buried a turnaround jumper. Pradilla's layup established a 31-20 Valencia lead. Blakeney improved on Puerto's layup with a three-point play before he added a driving basket to make it 33-25. Badio and Nate Sestina each struck from beyond the arc to give Valencia fresh air at 39-29. Foster and Ginat rescued Hapoel before Motley's layup got the visitors within 40-35. Ojeleye took over with a corner triple, Noam Yaacov answered with a driving layup before Blakeney's basket made it a 5-point game. Wainright stepped up with a put-back layup and a backdoor basket to bring Hapoel within 45-44 at halftime.

Pradilla scored down low immediately after the break. Yaacov split free throws and Ginat's jump hook tied it at 47-47. Montero struck from downtown before Ginat and Badio traded jumpers. Yam Madar drew Hapoel within 53-52. Reuvers banked in a close shot and Ginat and Jovic each hit foul shots. Badio's driving basket gave Valencia a 59-54 lead. Madar bettered Costello's layup with a shot from beyond the arc. Badio buried a jumper but Foster's layup gave Hapoel hope at 63-59. After another Badio jumper, Motley matched him with a put-back layup before Jovic put his team up 6. Blakeney stepped up with an acrobatic basket that fixed the score at 67-63 after three quarters.

Madar buried a three-pointer early in the fourth quarter. Foster soon added a tip-in and a three-pointer to put Hapoel ahead by 3. Blakeney struck twice more from beyond the arc to force Valencia to call timeout at 68-77. Montero tried to change things with a quick triple and a pair of free throws in a 7-0 run that Reuvers capped with an alley-oop slam that made it 75-77. Caboclo and Blakeney each struck from downtown but Xabi Lopez-Arostegui and Reuvers got the hosts within 79-83 with more than 3 minutes remaining. Badio buried a jumper that Foster bettered with a triple. After Reuvers dunked again, Blakeney downed his fifth three-pointer. Montero gave Valencia hope, 85-89, with 1:53 left. Badio and an unstoppable Blakeney traded three-pointers. Montero dunked and once Valencia got the ball back, he made free throws to tie the game, 92-92. Foster buried a huge jumper for a 92-94 Hapoel lead with 2.7 seconds left. Sestina missed from beyond the arc at the buzzer.

Hapoel upsets Valencia, 92-94, to reach the EuroCup Finals

The identity of the BKT EuroCup finalists will be confirmed as two closely fought but very different semifinals series are concluded on Wednesday. This what we can expect from Game 3.

At a glance: It's do or die time in both semifinal series

## Wednesday, April 2

### [Bahcesehir College Istanbul 72-76 Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/bahcesehir-college-istanbul-dreamland-gran-canaria/U2024/193/#boxscore)

Gran Canaria romped into the finals with a dramatic 72-76 win at Bahcesehir in Game 3 to win their semifinal series 2-1. It will be the third time Granca has reached the EuroCup finals, having won the competition in 2023 and finished as the runner-up in 2015. Caleb Homesley paced Gran Canaria on 19 points and the versatile guard hit a clutch three late in the game that gave the visiting team the lead for good. At the other end, Jaleen Smith led Bahcesehir with a game-high 22 points but missed some shots when the chips were down, including a tough floater on his team’s final possession.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">🏀 Final:<br><br>🔵 Bahcesehir College Istanbul 72<br>🐥 Dreamland Gran Canaria 76<br><br>🔥 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VamosGranca?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VamosGranca</a> <a href="https://t.co/JISviGuIwF">pic.twitter.com/JISviGuIwF</a></p>&mdash; Dreamland Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB/status/1907510472787501326?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Valencia Basket 92-94 Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/valencia-basket-hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/U2024/194/#boxscore)

Hapoel advanced to the EuroCup Finals for the first time in club history by edging Valencia in Game 3. Valencia led by as many as 13 points in the second quarter, Hapoel rallied to get within 1 at halftime. The visitors rode the hot hand of Antonio Blakeney to a 9-point advantage in the fourth quarter only to see Valencia come back to tie things. Marcus Foster had the last word with the game-winning jumper with 3.1 seconds remaining. Blakeney finished with 32 points and 9 rebounds and Marcus Foster added 22 points. Brancou Badio led Valencia with 20 points. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">עוד 2 הפועלללל ♥️ <a href="https://t.co/JRfz5RJatq">pic.twitter.com/JRfz5RJatq</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1907541861318750220?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hapoel will host Game 1 of the 2025 BKT EuroCup Finals on Tuesday, April 8

Game Center: Hapoel, Gran Canaria win to reach finals!

Dreamland Gran Canaria romped into the BKT EuroCup Finals with a dramatic 72-76 win at Bahcesehir College Istanbul in Game 3 to win their semifinal series 2-1.

Gran Canaria beats Bahcesehir 72-76 to reach the finals 

Dreamland Gran Canaria romped into the BKT EuroCup Finals with a dramatic 72-76 win at Bahcesehir College Istanbul in Game 3 to win their semifinal series 2-1. 

It will be the third time Granca has reached the EuroCup finals, having won the competition in 2023 and finished as the runner-up in 2015. Caleb Homesley paced Gran Canaria on 19 points and the versatile guard hit a clutch three late in the game that gave the visiting team the lead for good.

Mike Tobey chipped in with 11 points and Nicolas Brussino added 10 for the Spanish team, which sank 12 three-pointers from 29 attempts in a rugged contest with physical defense dominating proceedings. At the other end, Jaleen Smith led Bahcesehir with a game-high 22 points but missed some shots when the chips were down, including a tough floater on his team’s final possession.

Sehmus Hazer scored 13 points and Tai Odiase netted 11 for Bahcesehir, which suffered its first home defeat of the season after 11 successive wins as the Turkish team went 7 of 20 from downtown and committed 10 turnovers in the second half.

The first half produced an evenly balanced clash with Granca having slightly the upper hand as Bahcesehir missed its first 8 shots from deep. The visitors took advantage to open up a 23-30 lead in the second quarter, having nosed ahead 18-19 at the end of the first.

Bahcesehir was clinical from close to the basket tough, hitting 13 of 20 from inside and 10 of 12 from the foul line in the first half to lead 42-41 at the interval as the home team also took good care of the ball, having dished out 13 assists against only 2 turnovers.

The hosts were also helped by 5 offensive boards while Gran Canaria stayed in touch on the back of 5 three-pointers from 14 attempts. The Spanish side’s long-range artillery continued to do the damage early in the third quarter as Andrew Albicy knocked down a couple of shots.

Homesley followed in the Frenchman’s footsteps to give the visitors a 45-50 lead and it was a tit-for-tat battle for the remainder of the third period, as Gran Canaria carried a 57-60 advantage into the final 10 minutes of a captivating contest.

Gran Canaria kept chipping away and held a 65-70 lead on the back of a pair of threes from Pierre Pelos, but Bahcesehir looked the more likely winner after Smith hit a spot-up triple to give the hosts a 71-70 lead in the home straight.

However, Homesley emerged as Gran Canaria’s hero as he sank a tough triple on the Spanish team’s next possession to force the final twist, as the visitors held their nerves from the foul line down the stretch and danced in delight at the end of a strength-sapping encounter.

The Spanish side staged an upset to clinch the semifinal series with a gritty road win 

It's Valencia Basket. It's the BKT EuroCup. It's a decisive game at La Fonteta. Valencia clicks all the boxes to reach its eighth EuroCup Finals.

Why Valencia can win Game 3

It's Valencia Basket. It's the BKT EuroCup. It's a decisive game at La Fonteta. Valencia clicks all the boxes to reach its eighth EuroCup Finals.

There is some good news for Valencia, as [Semi Ojeleye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/semi-ojeleye/011982/) has bounced back from illness- He scored 18 points over 25 minutes in a Spanish League game over the weekend. [Sergio De Larrea](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/sergio-de-larrea/010750/) is also back in action, giving Valencia an even deeper backcourt rotation. So Valencia now has a deeper team and one of its top scorers is back in full force.

Until now, Ojeleye has played less than 10 minutes in the series. He has not scored and has a PIR of -2. By comparison, Ojeleye averaged 12.8 points on 42.9% three-point shooting for a PIR of 10.6 in regular season action. Valencia missed his physicality, versatility and leadership and now that he is fully recovered, Coach [Pedro Martinez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/pam/martinez-pedro?season=U2024) has new ways to look for mismatches, as well as counting on a player who is always ready to take (and make) big shots down the stretch.

Semi Ojeleye averaged 12.8 points on 42.9% three-pointers and a PIR of 10.6 in regular season action.

2024-25 EuroCup Regular Season highlights: Semi Ojeleye, Valencia

It won't be easy, of course. Hapoel evened the series with a 96-91 victory in Game 2 behind an outstanding [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-motley/011157/), who managed to stay out of foul trouble and play almost 35 minutes. He had 26 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists for a PIR of 32. Valencia succeeded in getting Motley into foul trouble in Game 1, limiting him to just 12 points and 2 rebounds in less than 27 minutes. In that sense, [Matt Costello](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/matthew-costello/010444/), [Nate Reuvers](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nathan-reuvers/012738/) and [Amida Brimah](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/amida-brimah/012075/) should be ready to be physical against him.

It only looks like a matter of time before Valencia is more consistent from beyond the arc. Valencia led the EuroCup by shooting 39.0% on three-pointers in the regular season and downed 40.5% from beyond the arc in the quarterfinals against U-BT Cluj-Napoca. It is struggling from beyond the arc against Hapoel at just 26.4% while Coach [Dimitris Itoudis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/itoudis-dimitris?season=U2024)'s team is soaring (40.4% 3FG in the series, 34.6% in regular season action). This weekend, Valencia downed 15 of 34 three-pointers (44.1% 3FG) in a Spanish League win. Playing at home, Valencia should feel more comfortable from downtown.

That leads us to Valencia's biggest advantage in this game: playing at La Fonteta. If Valencia loses, it will be the last EuroCup game ever played in one of the competition's most iconic arenas. La Fonteta and the Spiroudome in Charleroi, Belgium have been home to four EuroCup Finals apiece. With a win, la Fonteta would host its fifth and last EuroCup Finals after previously doing so in 2003, 2014, 2017 and 2019.

In short, Valencia has the home-court advantage, Ojeleye is back at his usual level and there are clear guidelines on how to win the game: secure the defensive boards to run the floor as much as possible, limit Motley and [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yam-madar/011052/), putting them in foul trouble if possible and above all, feeling confident because a sea of people wearing orange will be there to support them and help them reach the Finals. It should be a great game to close one of the best series in competition history. Don't miss it!

Javier Gancedo analyzes Game 3 of the semifinals and why he believes Valencia should reach the EuroCup Finals

With all due respect to the two semifinalists on the other side of the bracket, there is a feeling among many that the favorite to win the BKT EuroCup this season will be the team that wins on Wednesday night at La Fonteta. And more than anything else, what Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv needs to knock out Valencia Basket is a full, healthy roster.

Why Hapoel can win Game 3

With all due respect to the two semifinalists on the other side of the bracket, there is a feeling among many that the favorite to win the BKT EuroCup this season will be the team that wins on Wednesday night at La Fonteta. And more than anything else, what [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/?season=2024-25) needs to knock out Valencia Basket is a full, healthy roster.

Thus far, Hapoel has managed to match up with Valencia nicely despite being depleted. Hapoel led at halftime in Game 1 before faltering in the third quarter and never trailed in Game 2. In the eight quarters played thus far, Hapoel has won four, Valencia two and two finished in ties.

Coach [Dimitris Itoudis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/itoudis-dimitris?season=U2024)'s side has done all of that despite being without the injured [Joe Ragland](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/joe-ragland/005181/) and with [Bruno Caboclo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/bruno-caboclo/012096/) missing Game 1 and playing less than 5 minutes in Game 2. And now there are questions surrounding several other players for Game 3, including star guard [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yam-madar/011052/).

According to reports from Israel, Madar aggravated a knee injury in Game 2 and – instead of remaining with his teammates in Bulgaria over the weekend – flew home for treatment. It may not be clear if he can play in the series decider until shortly before the game. Meanwhile, key reserves [Bar Timor](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/bar-timor/004846/) and [Marcus Bingham](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marcus-bingham/013506/) have missed practices due to illness.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We’re ready 👹 <a href="https://t.co/EoQ6MKeJt2">pic.twitter.com/EoQ6MKeJt2</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1907154040141787210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

None of these absences are a small matter. And combined they can be crippling. Madar has been the standout of the series thus far, averaging 20.5 points on outstanding shooting plus 6.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

To hope to survive with a chance to win if Madar is limited or cannot play, Hapoel will need Ragland and Timor. Ragland ranks third in the EuroCup this season in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.6) and Timor is one of the most experienced players on the roster. Without them, the only natural playmaker on the Hapoel roster is 20-year-old Noam Yaacov.

[Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) was a big reason Hapoel won Game 2 with 26 points and 8 rebounds and perhaps even more will be needed if he does not have Caboclo and Bingham behind him. It's important to remember that Caboclo was a EuroLeague starter just last season and an All-EuroCup selection two seasons ago.

The fact that injuries have hit Hapoel at specifically two of the spots where Valencia is deepest and strongest is even more of a concern.

On the court, Hapoel has done much of what it needed to win the series. It has slowed the pace and held Valencia to subpar three-point shooting (26.4%). But if it is without the key players mentioned above, Hapoel would need Herculean efforts from the likes of Motley, [Marcus Foster](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marcus-foster/010386/), [Tomer Ginat](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tomer-ginat/010550/), [Ish Wainright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ishmail-carzell-wainright/013284/) and [Antonio Blakeney](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/antonio-blakeney/013402/) to prevail in Game 3.

Could the absences of key players derail Hapoel’s season?

Check out what the protagonists are saying ahead of Game 3 of the BKT EuroCup Semifinals.

Semifinals, Game 3: Pregame quotes

## Wednesday, April 2: Game 3

### Bahcesehir College Istanbul vs. Dreamland Gran Canaria (18:00 CET)

**John Shurna, Dreamland Gran Canaria forward**

"It's a final, right? So it's an exciting game. We're gonna try our best to get some rest, but we're expecting the best version of their team and we have to bring our best too. We've had two physical battles, so now each team has defended home court and now it all comes down to Game 3. I think rebounding, matching their physicality, they're a very physical team. Trying to limit their second opportunities and making sure we limit our turnovers as well and try to run in transition a bit too. It's a lot of games in a few days. We have to leave it all on the line and I'm sure it'll be great game with both teams bringing their best. When we're focused, we've shown that we can compete with anyone. It's a great opportunity for us and hopefully we can bring our best energy."

John Shurna: "When we're focused, we've shown that we can compete with anyone"

### Valencia Basket vs. Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (20:30 CET)

**Pedro Martinez, Valencia Basket head coach**

"We are not nervous as we approach the game. We know we earned the right to be here. It has been a long season, we went through all sorts of moments and earned the right to play Game 3 at home, the tie-breaker. We want to play the best game possible and play good basketball, with very good defense, rebounding really well and taking care of all small details taking place in the series, since it is our third game against them in a week. We have to adjust to what they propose because they will make their own adjustments. For me, it is a 50-50 game. I ask Valencia Basket fans to help their team and give us the energy that we need to win a very important game against a great opponent with great players, a team that plays really good basketball. All of our energy has to be focused on that. We have physical issues but all of my players and everyone else thinks of this game as a final, so my players will give everything they have. We don't want to make loud statements or complain. All 13 professional players are available and tomorrow, we will decide who to leave out."

**Dimitris Itoudis, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv head coach**

"We're coming over here in Valencia knowing that it's a tied series, so that's the final game. We know the difficulties we have to face, but we're determined, decisive to compete. \[Madar and Ragland\] will try to practice and we will evaluate their situation on the court \[before the game\]. Details are important for sure, a lot of details I think from both sides. Both teams have a lot of strategy to put on. We add some things, they add some things defensively, offensively. We pretty much add things also during the game. They add things during the game as well. They make certain adjustments, we certain adjustments. So I hope it's gonna be a very attractive for the fans as well. Not only the fans that they're gonna fill the gym, but also but also the audience that they're gonna watch it through the internet or TV."

**Ish Wainright, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv forward**

"We feel like we are extremely prepared. I'm pretty sure they're gonna come out swinging hard. And I mean, we're excited, our fans are excited, this is the time where we can make history and this is probably the biggest game of our season so far, so. Much respect to them. And I know they're gonna be prepared also. So we're excited and ready to go to war. It's gonna be a dogfight from the beginning."

Ish Wainright: "It's gonna be a dogfight from the beginning"

Check out what the protagonists are saying ahead of Game 3 of the BKT EuroCup Semifinals

Javier Gancedo explains what Gran Canaria needs to do well in order to return to the EuroCup Finals

Why Gran Canaria will win Game 3

Experience matters in do-or-die games. When it comes to [Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/can/?season=2024-25), it has more EuroCup experience than the other three other semifinalists combined.

Gran Canaria features seven EuroCup champions on its roster, not counting head coach Jaka Lakovic. [Miquel Salvo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/miquel-salvo/005005/), [Andrew Albicy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/andrew-albicy/003425/), [John Shurna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/john-shurna/006588/), [Nico Brussino](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nicolas-brussino/008121/) and [Jovan Kljajic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jovan-kljajic/007560/) lifted the trophy with Gran Canaria barely two years ago. [Mike Tobey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mike-tobey/008966/) helped Valencia Basket win the EuroCup in 2019 and [Mendy Ngouama](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mehdy-ngouama/009556/) did so with Paris Basketball last season.

After watching both games, you get the feeling that Gran Canaria is only getting better and better. [In Game 2](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/gran-canaria-still-alive-after-69-68-win-over-bahcesehir-thanks-to-homesley-heroics/), Gran Canaria had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.5 and made 20 of 32 two-pointers (62.5% 2FG). [Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/bah/?season=2024-25) struggled to score inside the arc, making just 13 of 30 two-pointers (43.3% 2FG) and committing just as many assists as turnovers, 12 each.

It could be argued that Bahcesehir had a [dominant Game 1](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/bahcesehir-overpowers-gran-canaria-74-66-in-game-1-of-semifinals/) in which it held a double-digit lead for a long time. Gran Canaria had a major blackout after getting an early 10-15 lead. Bahcesehir outscored Gran Canaria 24-6 over the next 9 minutes. In that span, Coach Lakovic's team made just 3 of 13 field goals (23.1%) and committed 5 turnovers. It is very unlikely that an experienced team like Gran Canaria will underperform that way again.

Dreamland Gran Canaria edged Bahcesehir College Istanbul 69-68 to tie the best-of-three semifinal playoff series.

Gran Canaria highlights: Semifinals, Game 2

On the other hand, Bahcesehir has no EuroCup champions and some of its best players have not had great experiences in the higher stages of the competition. [Axel Bouteille](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/axel-bouteille/003840/) was with Turk Telekom Ankara when it lost the EuroCup Finals in Gran Canaria. [Marko Simonovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marko-simonovic/012711/) lost Game 3 of the semifinals with Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul against Cosea JL Bourg en Bresse last season. [Mateusz Ponitka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mateusz-ponitka/004172/) lost Game 3 of the 2019 quarterfinals with Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar against UNICS Kazan.

[Caleb Homesley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/caleb-homesley/011251/) kept Gran Canaria in the series with a wild, game-winning three-point play in the final seconds of Game 2. Being so close to losing it all should be positive for Gran Canaria, which returned home and gained even more momentum with another close win in Spanish League action. Albicy's buzzer-beating layup lifted his team to a 91-89 home victory over Unicaja Malaga.

Gran Canaria should see this game as a golden chance to reach the EuroCup Finals for the third time in club history. This group of players knows what it takes to win together and has been victorious in a lot of close games: it won all of its last five EuroCup games decided by 5 points or loss. Expect Gran Canaria to be highly competitive in this exciting, decisive showdown.

A rain of threes sent Hapoel to the finals

Caleb Homesley propelled Gran Canaria past Bahcesehir

Hapoel upsets Valencia, 92-94, to reach the EuroCup Finals

Game Center: Hapoel, Gran Canaria win to reach finals!

Gran Canaria beats Bahcesehir 72-76 to reach the finals

Why Valencia can win Game 3

Why Hapoel can win Game 3

Semifinals, Game 3: Pregame quotes

Why Gran Canaria can win Game 3