Maccabi Tel Aviv admits: "With Brown it's a different world", they replied: "I missed him" - voila! sport

Tiktuknu: today's sports summary clip, 13.2 (Sport1)

Maccabi Tel Aviv qualified for the 2023 State Cup final last night (Monday) thanks to a 73:85 victory over Ness Ziona in the semi-final held in Jerusalem.

Oded Ketch's team will advance to their 52nd cup final in history on Thursday, where they will meet Hapoel Jerusalem.

The Yellows noted a positive comeback by Lorenzo Braun, who returned to activity after three weeks.

The team's leading point guard finished the game with 19 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds, feeding his teammates perfectly, especially Josh Niebo who was the outstanding player of the game with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks.

"It's a different world with Lorenzo," Maccabi admitted, "our game changes completely, things change on the field compared to the games he doesn't play."

Niebo said: "It was a tough game, both teams competed hard, we started a little flat, that's why we started weak. I'm glad we were able to win the game. When Lorenzo is on the field, it's much easier for me. I missed him and I'm glad he's back playing."

returned to the lead.

Brown (Photo: Danny Maron)

Maccabi felt after the game that despite the victory, the ability they displayed last night is not likely to be enough in the final game on Thursday and they will have to look much better.

"Nes Ziona is a short team, there is no doubt that it helped us. We had 20-25 minutes better, but in the final we will not be able to start like we did today," said the team.

The five foreigners who signed up for last night's game are expected to remain in the team, with Darren Hilliard, Jaylen Adams and Suleiman Braymo not supposed to play in the final either.

About 1,000 Yellows came to the Arena last night to push the team despite the early hour and the difficult situation of arriving in Jerusalem on the day of a mass demonstration.

The team estimated that in the final match there will be at least 3,000 of their fans in the final standings.

David Solomon, one of the team's owners, came to last night's game at the Arena and is expected to be in the final game as well.

Solomon, who lives in the United States, rarely comes to Israel in recent years.

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Tags

• Maccabi Tel Aviv in football

• Lorenzo Brown