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The intriguing top game at Toto Hall will tonight (Thursday, 20:00) bring together Hapoel Holon and Hapoel Jerusalem, the two Israeli representatives in the Champions League.
But compared to Holon's success, with two consecutive qualifiers for the quarterfinals of the factory, the disappointment from the Jerusalem failure stands out, with a relegation in the early stages for two seasons in a row.
In the summer of 2018, after the departure of Uri Alon, the club's management decided to move from the EuroCup to the Champions League.
There were several reasons behind the dramatic move, including the disappointment that the team did not receive a ticket to the Euroleague, and the realization that the Champions League might be more suited to the team's new and slightly more modest dimensions.
In addition, the high financial income from the Champions League winked at the heads of Jerusalem.
But after four years, opinions are divided about the success of the move, as well as about whether it is worthwhile for Jerusalem to return to the EuroCup.
Economically, the Champions League gives higher sums, but this season also in the EuroCup they started giving a participation grant of 100,000 euros per team, the champion gets another 400,000 and the runner-up 100,000.
The gaps are no longer as large as they used to be.
Opinions among fans are divided, Photo: Alan Schieber
The new Eurocup format guarantees at least 18 games (9 at home), allowing clubs to make more money from broadcast rights and game-related margins, such as selling merchandise, though there are also more expenses.
As far as is known, the Champions League is not currently planned to return to the previous format, which guaranteed at least 14 games in the first stage, leaving the possibility of ending the European season already in December-January, as has happened to the Reds in the last two seasons.
When talking about the economic aspect, another point needs to be considered - the league administration gives the participating teams in Europe NIS 50,000 per game, and up to NIS 650,000 per season.
The administration will also agree to give the grant to a team that will play in the EuroCup, only if the ticket is given to the league and awarded to teams according to their professional achievements.
But the trend in the EuroCup is to award three-year contracts to specific teams, not by leagues.
It is hard to believe that Hapoel Jerusalem will easily give up the administration grant.
Although the professional gaps between the two factories have narrowed in favor of the Champions League compared to the summer of 2018, senior teams like Valencia, Partizan Belgrade, Virtus Bologna, Locomotive Cuban and others still prefer the Eurocup.
Johnson and Adams.
They will meet tonight in Holon, Photo: Danny Maron
Players' agents say that the Eurocup is more attractive, and there is a certain preference for teams in the factory in attracting senior players, even though Jerusalem has brought big names like James Paladin and K.S. Rivers in recent years, and enjoys a reputation that helps it land quality players.
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among fans opinions are divided.
Reality shows that in Champions Games there are fewer spectators in the arena stands compared to the previous factory, but the decline is a result of processes such as the decline in budget, professional failure in the last two seasons and other reasons, which are not directly related to competition identity.
In conversations with fans and wandering on social networks, one can find diverse opinions on the subject.
According
to sources involved in the details, in recent months there have been initial thoughts among the heads of Hapoel Jerusalem about a possible return to the EuroCup, but this remains a mere thought, and it does not seem that the Reds will violate the loyal partnership and good friendship with the Champions League.
Hapoel Jerusalem in the EuroCup in 2017.
There are thoughts to return, Photo: Alan Schieber
There should be a good reason for Jerusalem to return to a factory in which it was an important and significant part for many years, with winning the title and reaching the semi-finals about five years ago.
The top teams in the EuroCup see it as a springboard to the Euroleague, and a front door to the closed club of the top teams on the continent, and are even willing to give up financial gains in favor of this opportunity.
In the current situation, it does not seem that the low chance of reaching the Euroleague on a one-off basis is a significant consideration for the Reds.
"We have had Israeli representatives in the past, and of course Israel is an interesting market for us," the EuroCup clarifies, explaining their approach to the plant.
"The Eurocup is a competition aimed at teams that have strong and well-established projects, and who are looking to compete at the highest level in Europe - the Euroleague. This may not be the ambition of some teams, as the Euroleague is very demanding and not all teams are willing to face the challenge. More to the budget and their current aspirations. "
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