Hapoel Tel Aviv Falls to Panathinaikos in EuroLeague Clash

Match Overview

In a highly anticipated EuroLeague matchup, Hapoel Tel Aviv faced off against Panathinaikos in Greece on December 18, 2025. Despite entering the game on a three-game winning streak, Hapoel fell short, losing 93-82. The game featured three closely contested quarters, but the red team struggled to maintain their momentum in the final period.

Coach’s Reflection

Head coach Dimitris Itoudis shared his thoughts after the match. “I want to congratulate Panathinaikos. It was a very interesting game. We started the match carelessly, but the fact that our team pushed Panathinaikos to rethink their defensive strategies speaks volumes about the respect they have for us. However, this came at a cost in the opening stages.”

Itoudis noted the team’s challenges, including finishing the game with only start steal and 13 turnovers. “These statistics say a lot about us. Despite that, our team found a way to come back and even take the lead in such an atmosphere as we experienced in OAKA. Unfortunately, we only scored nine points out of 20 from the free-throw line, which cost us dearly and forced us to work harder as a team.”

Embracing the Challenge

The coach emphasized the significance of playing in a high-pressure environment. “It’s a challenge for us as a team and as individuals to compete under such pressure. We didn’t meet our own expectations, but that doesn’t mean we should be disappointed. On the contrary, we will learn from this experience and become better moving forward.”

As the team reflects on this match, they will strive to improve and adapt in future games, looking to build on their earlier success in the EuroLeague.