Hapoel Jerusalem’s snowball did not stop even last night (Tuesday) in the match for the entire European season in the FIBA Champions League. The Reds, who needed a win but could have gone up even with Priestri’s loss to Tenerife, saw both scenarios collapse at the same time and were very disappointingly eliminated in the second group stage of the factory with a 3:3 draw after a loss to Karshyaka.
While relative silence was maintained in the club that gave its coach the trust because of the success in Europe even after eight losses from the last 11 league games, last night’s relegation in the second group stage changed the story of the season and is considered a major failure for the team, which only last season fought for the title of factory champion. The relegation is not expected to be received in the same way by the team’s management and the position of Ilias Kantsouris on the lines has been significantly undermined following the early relegation and the balance of only two wins from the last 12 games of the team, which next week will meet Hapoel Galil Al’ion in the round of 16 of the State Cup for another game from which there is no way back .
“You can make excuses, but I don’t like excuses. We came to a game of being or not and grabbed 98 points, it’s our fault and congratulations go to the two teams that qualified. It’s a difficult night for us, and we need to look at our values, that’s the first thing,” the coach shared his feelings at the end.
The club has been active in the player market in recent weeks and held talks with Max Heidegger with the aim of joining him. The early relegation will now lead the Reds back to the coach market in search of options, while immediate changes in the squad and the addition of a foreign guard to the team instead of another player are also being considered. Although it is only the month of March, it can already be estimated that Hapoel Jerusalem will look completely different next season.
The professional team will undergo a fundamental change and quite a few changes will also be made on the floor. The squad built entirely in the likeness and image of Aleksandar Dzikic will undergo a revolution and the core of the team in the last two years will be replaced. Brinton Lamar, whose future in the team is already exciting these days, will not continue, the continuation of Jacory Williams, who does not hold a contract for next season, is in doubt. Speedy Smith, Chris Johnson, Levi Randolph and Zach Hankins all have contracts for next season, but their continuation in the team will probably be decided by the decision of the coach who will assemble the squad for next season. Kadin Carrington, who is expected to receive an Israeli passport in the summer months, is expected to continue if he is considered Israeli.
Jerusalem had very big plans for the current season of games in the FIBA Champions League, plans that due to a variety of reasons collapsed as well. In the summer, the Jerusalemites made the decision to stay in the Champions League despite the contacts with the Eurocup management with a tacit understanding that the hosting of the Final Four, if the Reds qualify for it, will take place this time in the capital. As you know, the outbreak of the war led to a change in the situation, but the management of the factory planned to hold the highlight event in the team’s temporary home in Belgrade, something that may change now due to the relegation of the team, which reached the finals last year and the season stopped already in the second group stage.
At the basis of the decision to continue the contract with the factory was the thought that in preparation for the union of the factories that will take place next season, it is better to come from a good starting position, however, in light of the results this season and the obvious delay in the union, the club is expected to consider throughout the rest of the season their decision regarding continuing their path in the FIBA Champions League.
“This season is probably very tough for us. Out of a month we are maybe only five days in our house because we have a flight every week, so it is a bit difficult for us, there are no excuses, we have not met our goals so far and we are looking ahead to the rest of the season”, concluded Speedy Smith.
were we wrong We will fix it! If you found an error in the article, we would appreciate it if you shared it with us
ظهرت في الأصل على www.israelhayom.co.il