Thousands of Hapoel Jerusalem fans crowd the streets of Malaga and paint the beautiful Andalusian city red ahead of the Champions League Final Four. We convened three of them – Yiftach Samuel, 29, from Jerusalem, Adi Minkovich, 36, from Kfar Sirkin, and Jonathan Klein, 34, from Jerusalem, for a short panel discussion on questions that concern the team's fans.
We are starting with the factory's decision not to host the Final Four in Jerusalem but in Malaga, despite the many expectations. "It's a big mistake on the part of the BCL," says Samuel, who arrived with his father, who has been a fan of the team for decades. "It's true that it's a huge missed opportunity for us that the Final Four isn't in Israel, but we're not aware of all the considerations that caused the decision, so it's hard for me to judge."
Yiftach Samuel. "The mistake is the BCL's", Photo: Private
Klein, who arrived with friends, also says of mixed feelings: "It sucked, because we expected it since the team went to the Champions League, but from the side it looked like 'blackmail by threats' by the tournament management. I believe that the management wants to reach the Euroleague in the future and makes its own considerations."
Minkovic, who also arrived with her father, who has been a fan of the team for more than 40 years, has a strong opinion on the matter: "Great decision. The Euroleague is the league we should aspire to. We are not hostages of anyone."
Adi Minkovich. "We should aspire to the Euroleague", photo: Private
Some Hapoel Jerusalem fans are divided about future participation in the Euroleague. What do you think?
"Good question," Klein replies. "Basically, I'd say no. The Euroleague is an anti-sporting enterprise run by the teams that participate in it and decide who will play, but I also understand that the Euroleague is the top of European basketball and that is where we want to be. I would love for Hapoel Jerusalem to play in the most senior factory."
In this case, too, Minkowitz sounds much more emphatic: "There is no logical reason why Hapoel Jerusalem, at the level of basketball and its supportive fan base, should not aspire to be at the top - the Euroleague is the top of Europe and that's where we need to be."
Samuel symbolizes the dilemma among the fans: "In the current delusional situation that European basketball is in, we should only play in the Euroleague if we get a permanent license. It's not wise to move to the Eurocup just for the chance of getting one season in the Euroleague. I hope that soon the structure of the leagues will change, and participation in all enterprises will depend only on sporting achievements."
Jonathan Klein. He has a hard time with the anti-sportsmanship, photo: Private
"Be attentive to voices from the field"
For years, the club's fans had complaints about the poor relationship between the club and the audience. The past year has seen a welcome change, and now everyone is waiting to see how the new management will treat the fans.
"Today there is a good relationship," Minkowitz says. "It's important for the club to be attentive to the voices coming from the field. We are there and will always be to push the team forward."
Samuel clarifies: "We want them to continue the positive trend. Hapoel is a community before it is a basketball team, the management must be attentive to the characteristics and needs of the audience."
Klein brings a different angle: "They have to understand that the team has many types of fans. When Hapoel brings an average of close to 5,000 fans, they are made up of boys who want to jump and sing, as well as families and children who want to enjoy the event. Management needs to continue what they started last season – keep in touch with everyone, both the fan organization and more affluent people and families who come for other reasons. The Arena should be a place for everyone."
Fans of Hapoel Jerusalem. The connection is important to them, photo: Alan Shaver
Israeli identity
Another question that preoccupies basketball in Israel is the lack of Israeli identity in some of the teams. Hapoel Jerusalem have also changed their policy several times in recent years regarding the importance of local players in their squad. When asked quietly, or in this case out loud, fans say they care about the players' sense of connection and commitment rather than passport color.
"Israeli identity is important, but more than that we want players we can relate to," Klein explains. "This season there's a team you can relate to. For example, I want them to keep Itai Segev even though there are better chins than him on the market. He fits well with Hapoel and what I want to see from the players. The most important thing for me is to see players who are identified with the club and stay here for years." Samuel also agrees with his friend: "Israeli identity is important, but it is more important that the players are connected to the club, the fans and the values, whether they are Israeli or foreign."
Minkovic expresses her opinion: "Whoever is good has to play. We have to strive to be stable and at a high level, and it doesn't matter to me whether it's by Israelis or foreigners."
Itai Segev. Fan darling, photo: Liron Moldovan
Which player do you think should stay?
Minkovic: "Dzikic counts? Because he is the first. But if you insist on an actor - Zach Hankins. I'll surprise you, I want him to stay mainly because of his effort defensively."
Klein: "As I said, Itai Segev is, as far as I'm concerned, the heart of the club. Beyond that, of course I want Hankins and Randolph to stay."
Samuel: "Hankins is an asset that you have to get your hands on. He is only 26 years old and his peak is ahead of him. It's hard to find high-quality ones like him."
Hankins. Will stay in the capital?, Photo: Alan Shaver
I know that Hapoel fans believe in attributions and upside down, but put superstitions aside. How will the Final Four end?
Samuel is betting that "there will be a new BCL champion." Klein is careful: "I'm always skeptical about the verb. Tenerife is something different from anything we've seen this year, but if there's a season we can get past an opponent like this, it's with the current team. If we put a bet, we'll lose by half and finish in 3rd place."
Minkovic remains optimistic: "We will lose in the semifinals and finish in 3rd place. But, hey, at least we earned a weekend in southern Spain."
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