Maccabi Tel Aviv coach after the first loss at the Hall (81:77 to Real): "We were nervous, we didn't think clean to hold the ball. The third quarter was very critical. "

• Janis Spropoulos, tonight in the Hall. Only almost

  Photo:

  Alan Shaver

After ten consecutive Euroleague victories in Yad Eliyahu, Maccabi Tel Aviv raised hands (Thursday) for the first time after a dramatic 81:77 against Real Madrid. Scottie Wilbkin's 21 points were not enough for the host, who suffered a second consecutive loss and dropped to 8:14. Next Wednesday, Janis' gang will try to fix Molly Himki, arriving at the Hall.

At the end of the game, coach Janis Safropoulos acknowledged that his team did not perform as well in the second half: "We were nervous, did not think cleanly to hold the ball. If the attack is weak and we lack players, we should have been tougher on defense."

The Greek added: "We missed a few minutes on defense and attack, the third quarter was very critical. After all, we fought to the end. We managed to get down to the point, we ended up trying to snatch the ball. But this time we failed on the mission."

Janis Spropoulos is worried. The third quarter decided? // Photo by Alan Shiber