Hapoel Tel Aviv Stays Alive vs. Real Madrid in EuroLeague Quarterfinals

In a thrilling do-or-die Game 3, Hapoel Tel Aviv has kept its EuroLeague season alive by defeating Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid 76-69. This crucial victory, achieved on Tuesday night, cuts the best-of-five quarterfinal series deficit to 2-1 in favor of Madrid and sets the stage for a pivotal Game 4 back in Tel Aviv's adopted home arena in Bulgaria. The Reds demonstrated resilience and determination, overcoming an early deficit to secure a win that breathes new life into their championship aspirations.

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I want to congratulate my team for going to 2-1 in the series and Elijah for winning the award. It was a do-or-die situation for us against a great team, and even though we were down by 10 points, we found the right chemistry and dug all the way into the bench.

Elijah Bryant was the star of the night for Hapoel, pouring in 19 points and playing a significant role in the team's comeback. He was ably supported by Chris Jones, who also scored 19 points, and Vasilije Micic, who contributed 13 points. The collective effort and clutch performances were essential in overcoming a formidable Real Madrid squad that featured stars like Facundo Campazzo and Trey Lyles. Hapoel's defense was also key, holding a team like Real Madrid to just 69 points, a testament to their playoff intensity.

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We played like a playoff team.

Coach Dimitrios Itoudis praised his team's fight, highlighting their ability to dig deep into the bench and find the right chemistry in a high-pressure situation. The win not only keeps their EuroLeague dreams alive but also comes as a significant boost with Elijah Bryant also being named to the EuroLeague Team of the Season. For Israeli basketball fans, this victory is a moment of pride, showcasing the competitive spirit and talent of Hapoel Tel Aviv on the European stage. The focus now shifts to Game 4, where Hapoel will aim to replicate this performance and force a decisive Game 5.

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It’s almost impossible to beat one of the top teams in the competition five straight times, but we came close. Congrats to Hapoel and now we move on to try and win the series in four games.