Israeli Pride: In front of 4,000 fans at Menora Mivtachim Hall, Nimrod Levy led the modest team to a 74:82 victory over Polish Steel Ostrov in the final • Ness Ziona became the third team in the history of Israeli basketball to win a European title, after Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem
Tal Dan raises a European Cup
Photo:
Alan Shiver
Ladies and gentlemen, say congratulations to Ness Ziona, who won the European Cup championship for the 2020/21 season after a 74:82 victory over the Polish Stal Ostrov.
There are few moments that can be defined as historical, this moment is one of them.
The modest team that was formed 15 years ago and its founders dreamed of playing in the national league, was promoted to the Premier League only eight years ago (and also managed to get down in the middle).
Tonight (Sunday) it became the third team in the history of Israeli basketball to win a European title.
It was preceded by the two largest clubs in Israel - Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem.
How great this achievement is is evidenced by the fact that Ness Ziona has never won a title, and her first degree comes precisely in Europe and precisely in front of the home audience.
The atmosphere at Menora Mivtachim Hall was reminiscent of a national team game.
About 4,000 fans, some from other teams, some with Israeli flags, painted the stands orange and provided an unforgettable setting.
The man who most represents the exciting win is captain Tal Dan who came into the game injured in the hand and after opening his head in the semi-final game.
Although the great sergeant of Ness Ziona played less than a quarter of an hour and did not score a single point, he was an inspiration to the rest of his teammates that even when they fell significantly behind in the third quarter they continued to fight and made an impressive comeback in the important minutes.
His tears at the end could not be missed.
He is expected to undergo surgery in the next few days and will probably not play again this season.
Another hero is Nimrod Levy.
The young and talented forward arrived at Ness Ziona last summer after a difficult season at Hapoel Jerusalem, and in recent months he has suffered from illnesses and injuries and has not been able to express his abilities.
In the Final Four he made the difference.
In the semi-finals the X Factor was with 14 points, and in the final he led the list of scenes with 21 points.
Another player who painted the title blue-and-white is Lior Carrera, another one who has gone through injuries and difficulties over the past few years and provided a heroic display in defense and offense and was a significant factor in the win.
And a few words to Mayor Shmuel Boxer who came to the hall to watch the basketball team bring respect to the city and make many people across Europe familiar with the name Ness Ziona - it's time to build a new and modern hall that will help the club make the next leap.
There are plans, there are budgets, now you just have to make a decision.
the progress of the game
Quarter 1:
Ness Ziona started the game with a dunk by Manci in a burst.
A three by Selden bounced off the hall and gave the Oranges a 7:12 lead.
The visitors ran from here to 0: 9 and went up to 12:16 but Mansi equalized.
Nimrod Levy helped Nes Ziona escape to 19:26 and the first quarter ended at 22:26 orange.
Quarter 2:
Greenberg's team maintained a small lead at the start of the second quarter, and Selden's beautiful layup set up 28:34.
Miller's two successful free throws gave the Oranges an 8-point lead.
Greenberg's team picked up gear on defense and stopped the Poles on 13 points in the second quarter, compared to 16 they scored.
After a 0: 5 run by the Poles at the end, the result of the first half - 35:42.
Quarter 3: The
Poles took control of the game and a quarter of 17:30 raised them to a 6-point lead in entering the final and decisive quarter of the European season.
If that wasn’t enough, Greenberg got a technical foul towards the end of the quarter, which ended in a 59:65 rush after two successful free throws by Nimrod Levy.
Quarter 4:
Nimrod Levy and Lior Carrera led the oranges' comeback that equalized to 65:65. Carrera's basket set a 67:70 three minutes to end the game. A big three by Nimrod Levy gave a 69:74 advantage and in the end the victory was orange - 74:82.
