Full Breakdown
Hapoel Tel Aviv Opens 2026/27 Preseason with Dominant Win over Balkan Botevgrad
8/31/2026, 2:45:48 AM
Preseason Opener: 101–76 Victory in Sofia
Hapoel Tel Aviv began its 2026/27 preseason campaign with a 101–76 rout of Bulgarian club Balkan Botevgrad in Sofia. The game marked the first of two scheduled warm-up meetings between the two sides, with the second slated for the following day.
Game Flow and Key Performances
Balkan Botevgrad seized an early lead, but Hapoel turned the tide within minutes thanks to scoring bursts from Antonio Blakeney and Zach LeDay, which gave the Israeli side a 30–26 edge after the opening quarter. In the second quarter Hapoel’s defense limited Balkan to just 12 points while the offense added 20, establishing a 50–38 halftime lead. The Reds extended the margin to 19 points early in the third quarter, briefly saw Balkan close to single digits, and then re-asserted control to finish the third with a 79–60 advantage. The bench maintained the pressure in the final period, pushing the lead to 27 points and sealing the 101–76 final score.
Team Status and Injuries
Hapoel entered the game without injured captain Tomer Ginat and without the contingent of players called up to the Israeli national team. Coach Dimitris Itoudis fielded a lineup that emphasized defensive intensity and balanced scoring, compensating for the absence of its regular captain.
Implications for EuroCup Preparation
The commanding win provides Hapoel Tel Aviv with confidence heading into the EuroCup season, demonstrating depth beyond its national-team core and showcasing the effectiveness of Itoudis’s defensive schemes. The upcoming second warm-up clash against Balkan will offer an additional opportunity to fine-tune rotations and assess the bench’s contribution before the regular season begins.
