"We came from the beginning to eliminate the game" Israel today

1. Great satisfaction with Maccabi Tel Aviv after the 80: 104 last night (Saturday) over Hapoel Jerusalem that returned the Yellows to a positive balance in the league and added confidence for a double and important week in the Euroleague.

Coach Yannis Sapropoulos, who was furious about his players' attitude in the loss to Hapoel Gilboa / Galil in the previous league round, told his players in a pre-match conversation that they now need to show what they have learned from the loss in Gan Ner.

In the locker room conversation after the game he already sounded completely different and congratulated the players on the concentration they demonstrated and the good ability.

"The loss at Gilboa should not have happened, but it did happen and we learned from it. Especially on the mental side of how we came into the game, we did not come sharp and we did not come to kill the game from the beginning like today," Oz Blazer admitted.

"It's up to us, the players, we learned from it and we knew we had to come to every game. Teams come here without pressure, and if they don't come from the beginning it can be a long evening like at Gilboa, we have to come from the beginning to seriously eliminate games."

Sapropoulos added: "We played a very good game today, with a very large concentration, high energies. It was not easy because it was game after game for us, the players gave everything for success for the victory."

The team is also confident that after the bad season opener, the team is starting to connect and get on a positive track as seen in the last two Euroleague games and the big win over the rival from the capital.

"We were supposed to start the Euroleague after eight practice games, and instead we started with three (Winner's Cup games, YM).

The beginning was like training games only with pressure, and there was no chemistry.

She has arrived now and she will be better.

We will improve over time, "the group said.

LIKE if @ OBlayzer's dunk made you smile, RT if it was @ scottiew_5's pass #WeAreMaccabi pic.twitter.com/RUiuyEYZRV

- Maccabi Tel Aviv BC (@MaccabitlvBC) October 24, 2021

In recent weeks, many have been dealing with the issue of the minutes of Israeli players in the Euroleague.

Jake Cohen is not counted, Oz Blazer does not get any opportunities and in the last game he was not registered in the squad, and Yiftach Ziv also has some difficult absorption ropes.

In the league the situation is different.

Roman Sorkin, who also stands out in Europe, provided another excellent game on both sides of the field, Ziv also showed good ability at times, but above all he starred in a laser with a spectacular dunk show, good defense and 100 percent shooting from all ranges.

"It's part of being at Maccabi Tel Aviv," said the forward.

If we lower our heads that we did not play, we will not end up playing in the league either.

We have strong guys in mind.

It's not easy after not playing, and I'm glad we did the job.

We have to be prepared for every opportunity. "

Sapropoulos also complimented and sent a message ahead: "I liked that players who did not play much in the Euroleague how they performed, like Blazer, Cohen, Ziv and Dibertolomeo helped the team very much. We are a team and we need them all. I want the players to be ready when the team needs them, if they continue. That way, they will have a chance in the Euroleague as well. "

Sorkin with Williams.

Continues to deliver the goods, Photo: Alan Schieber

2. Two events occurred in the stands.

The first at the beginning of the game when some Maccabi Tel Aviv fans cursed the Hapoel Jerusalem bench players and behaved violently. Those fans were quickly removed from the hall, and the team clarifies that they are likely to be severely punished after it becomes clear what they did.

The second occurred during the game when Hapoel Jerusalem fans complained that projectors fired at them intentionally.

Roi Gladstone, Maccabi Tel Aviv's VP of Communications, responded to the complaints on his Twitter account: "It was also aimed at Maccabi's stands. It also happened in the previous game against Pau (where the entire crowd was Maccabi). A new lighting system and comments are being handled."