Hapoel Tel Aviv secured a decisive 105-87 victory over local rivals Maccabi Tel Aviv at Yad Eliyahu on Wednesday. The standout performer was Vasilije Micic, who delivered a standout offensive display to lead his team to the win. The 32-year-old Serbian guard finished with 31 points, including nine successful three-pointers, in what many fans described as a masterclass in perimeter shooting.
The game highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two Tel Aviv clubs in the current Euroleague season. Hapoel, wearing the red and white colors, has established itself as a strong contender, currently sitting in sixth place with a record of six wins and three losses. In contrast, Maccabi, clad in yellow and blue, continues to struggle, languishing in 17th place with a 2-7 record. The disparity in form was evident on the court, with Hapoel capitalizing on Maccabi's defensive vulnerabilities.
Maccabi has faced persistent challenges in defending the perimeter during its Euroleague campaign. Opponents have frequently exploited these weaknesses by scoring heavily from beyond the arc. This trend continued in the derby, where Hapoel connected on 19 of their 31 attempts from long range. The defensive shortcomings have also led to high-scoring games for Oded Katash's squad, with the team frequently allowing opponents to score over 100 points.
Hapoel head coach Dimitris Itoudis identified a straightforward game plan based on these observations. The strategy focused on exploiting Maccabi's inability to guard the three-point line effectively. Micic and his teammates executed this plan with precision, creating numerous scoring opportunities from downtown. This approach allowed Hapoel to maintain control throughout the contest despite the high-stakes nature of the rivalry.
The victory was bolstered by strong contributions from several other Hapoel players. Antonio Blakeney and Tomer Ginat provided significant support in the offense. A notable performance came from Tamir Blatt, who made his debut for the team in the 2026/27 season. Blatt, who transferred from Maccabi over the summer, went a perfect 3-for-3 from three-point range, immediately making an impact against his former club.
Micic praised his team's collective effort and mental approach during the post-game interview. He noted that while his individual shooting was effective, the team's concentration and energy were key factors in the result. He acknowledged that Hapoel struggled on the defensive boards, an area where Maccabi typically excels, but emphasized the importance of staying engaged in the game. He also highlighted the need to manage the energy of the home crowd, preventing Maccabi from building momentum through long scoring runs.
The two teams will meet again next Monday in the Winner Cup final. Following that encounter, they are scheduled to play a third match in the Euroleague later in the week, which will be held abroad due to the security situation in Israel. Micic cautioned against declaring Hapoel the definitive favorite for either the Israeli league or Euroleague titles just yet. He described the season as long and noted that the team is still in its second year together, with chemistry continuing to develop.
Looking ahead, Hapoel's attention is turning to a Euroleague matchup against Barcelona on Thursday. Micic warned that the Catalan club deserves more respect than it has received this season, citing their recent victories over strong opponents like Valencia. He emphasized the need for the team to focus on this upcoming challenge, viewing it as a critical test of their abilities in the European competition.
