Hapoel Tel Aviv Fights Past Ness Ziona, 79-76, to Reach Winner Cup Final
Hapoel Tel Aviv is one win away from silverware. The Reds edged Ironi Ness Ziona 79-76 in the Winner Cup semifinals in Holon on Saturday, advancing to the final after a gritty, back-and-forth battle. The victory follows two EuroLeague wins and pushes Dimitris Itoudis's squad closer to a first domestic title, a prize that would resonate deeply with a fanbase that has waited patiently for glory.
Despite arriving with a full squad, Hapoel rested key EuroLeague minutes leaders Elijah Bryant and Vasilije Micic. The decision proved wise, as the Reds' registered foreign players delivered when it mattered. Eugene German caught fire early with five first-half three-pointers and finished with 17 points. Antonio Blakeney took over in the clutch with 21 points, while Ish Wainright added 17 in a commanding second-half display. Tai Odiase chipped in 7 points and 5 rebounds, anchoring the interior.
Ness Ziona came in unbeaten this season and built to challenge at the top. They fought with determination and even completed a stunning fourth-quarter comeback to tie the game, but their 12-for-21 night from the free-throw line proved their undoing. In a contest of fine margins, those misses were the difference.
Game Flow: How the Reds Sealed the Win
First Quarter: German Ignites Early
Eugene German opened with two quick three-pointers, giving Hapoel an 8-0 lead. After his third triple made it 11-5, Ness Ziona responded with a 9-0 run, powered by Jackson Rowe and Justin James drives, to take a 14-11 edge. The Reds tied it at 17-17, but a spectacular fast break, capped by a behind-the-back assist from Vincent Amsellem to Josh Christopher for a dunk, pushed the Whites ahead 21-17. A Bnayahu Srur layup closed the quarter at 23-19 for Ness Ziona.
Second Quarter: German's Hot Hand Swings Momentum
Both teams struggled from deep early in the second, but Odiase tied it at 26-26 with a mid-range jumper. Amsellem answered with five straight points, and Christopher extended the lead to 33-26, forcing an Itoudis timeout with 3:40 left in the half. The Reds responded with an 11-3 run, capped by German's fourth triple to take a 37-36 lead. Just before halftime, German buried his fifth three-pointer (5-for-6), sending Hapoel into the break up 40-37.
Third Quarter: Hapoel Builds a Cushion
Caboclo opened the second half with a three, Carrington scored five straight, and Wainright added a triple as Hapoel surged ahead 51-46. Ness Ziona kept clawing, with Rowe driving effectively and Weisz hitting a three to cut the gap to 54-53. But Blakeney compensated for a poor shooting night from deep with relentless drives and free throws, while Wainright added his fourth three-pointer. Hapoel closed the quarter leading 64-57.
Fourth Quarter: Blakeney's Heroics Seal It
Wainright opened the final frame with his fifth three-pointer (5-for-6), giving Hapoel a 67-57 lead. But Ness Ziona refused to fold. Amsellem and Weisz hit difficult threes, and an 11-0 run, capped by a Christopher dunk, tied the game at 67-67. Blakeney answered with a clutch three to stop the bleeding, and Odiase converted a layup off a German assist to make it 75-70 with 2:15 left.
Ness Ziona cut it to 75-72, but Blakeney came up with a steal and drilled a dagger three to make it 78-72 with 59 seconds remaining. Rowe and Christopher kept the Whites close at 78-76, but after a lengthy review on an inbounds play, Caboclo hit one of two free throws with 5.9 seconds left. Paris Lee missed twice from the line with 2.8 seconds on the clock, and Hapoel held on for the 79-76 win.
Scoreboard: Key Performers
Hapoel Tel Aviv: Antonio Blakeney 21, Eugene German 17, Ish Wainright 17, Khadeen Carrington 7, Tai Odiase 7, Max Heidegger 6, Bruno Caboclo 4.
Ness Ziona: Josh Christopher 17, Jackson Rowe 14 (11 rebounds), Vincent Amsellem 11, Justin James 9, Spencer Weisz 8, Freddie Gillespie 8 (8 rebounds), Paris Lee 6, Bnaya Sror 3.
What's Next for Hapoel Tel Aviv?
Hapoel Tel Aviv now awaits the winner of the other semifinal for the Winner Cup final. With a full squad and momentum from EuroLeague success, the Reds look poised to claim their first domestic trophy in years. For a club with such passionate support, the hunger for silverware is real, and this team is showing the resilience and character needed to deliver.
As the Book of Proverbs teaches, “The righteous falls seven times and rises again” (Proverbs 24:16). This Hapoel squad keeps rising, and the final awaits.