Hapoel Jerusalem, which until recently saw itself as a Euroleague team, is already counting two embarrassing relegations from the Champions League in one season • From the space created by the departure of Paladin and the Netherlands, through the problems on the lines and poor coordination of coordinates
Jacoben Brown vs. Telecom Ankara.
Jerusalem must not lose in the Cup semi-final either
Photography:
Alan Shiver
1.
The European framework for Hapoel Jerusalem is not a hobby or something on the road.
This is the soul of the club's nose, one of the foundations on which the club is built.
Yesterday's relegation from the Champions League is not the Reds' first European fall from the capital in recent years, but it is the hardest and most stinging.
And there are two reasons for this, one because Jerusalem flew in the first stage and another from a home it had to qualify from, and the other because it is a second European failure in one season after it finished the Final 8 of 2020 with a resounding defeat to Burgos in the quarterfinals.
On 19/20, Jerusalem had the best team in the factory with a real chance of winning the title, but last season was stopped in the middle and this time the team from the capital has deteriorated to a situation where it does not pass the first stage of the Champions League.
To think that until a few years ago she saw herself as a Euroleague team.
2.
The corona season has a price and Jerusalem did not know how to adapt to new situations.
Fiba decided to move early to the houses of four teams instead of eight. The margin of error is very small, the chance of surprises increased, and yet Jerusalem had to move up from the house where it played. Built this season was significantly less good, but the goals remained the same. Putting a team like last season on a Corona budget is impossible.
Losing property on the field and in the locker room like James Paladin for economic reasons is a blow. But it's not just him, and John Holland Who is an equally great loss, a bit forgotten.The forward who took off for the big money in Kazan is a tremendous and diverse player who was a team player and a friend.In their absence much fell on the shoulders (or rather on the injured shoulder) of Jacob Brown, and when he returned from injury it was not the same player Malcolm Hill is a very quality player who also failed due to injury, but not only. Chris Kramer in a big drop. Tariq Phillip did not come close to Paladin and was left and the Israeli staff is too short.
Paladin. The space he left behind did not close // Photo: Alan Shiver
And here we come to the critical point - the departure of Oded Katash to the pantheon that came at the worst possible time.
The important game against Ankara was played when Katsch with packed suitcases, and the decisive battle against Limoges was led by his replacement Dainius Adumatis, who passed only one game in the Balkan league.
A very non-ideal situation on the lines in the two money-time games of the season.
3.
Hapoel Jerusalem are aiming for all the titles, but in the Champions League they were eliminated (as well as in the Balkans and the Winner's Cup - small signs of the big problem), and they will soon be ready for their season game, on February 11 in the Cup semi-final against Maccabi Rishon Lezion. The goal bank is gone.
This is a strong and stable club with a large fan base and responsible managers who grew up in the stands. This is not a dismissal that will shake the foundations of the club. Only the ego and reputation in Europe. Be sure Hapoel Jerusalem will attack again next season. But before that happens it is very important. (And a lot) from this season.