Hapoel Tel Aviv defeats Gran Canaria to win its first ever EuroCup Basketball

‘In my view we defeated Hamas,’ says Israeli squad’s owner after 2 Spanish teams beaten on way to title; Hapoel will join its crosstown rival Maccabi in next year’s EuroLeague

Hapoel Tel Aviv on Friday defeated Gran Canaria to win the EuroCup, marking the first time the Israeli squad has won Europe’s second-tier men’s professional basketball club tournament, and giving it entry into next year’s top-tier EuroLeague.

Hapoel was led in scoring by Antonio Blakeney with 27 points, followed by Johnathan Motley with 26. Motley was named MVP of the EuroCup final after also putting in a strong performance during the first game of the series against Gran Canaria.

The Tel Aviv club’s owner Ofer Yannay reveled in the win, noting his team defeated both Gran Canaria and fellow Spanish team Valencia on the way to the title. Spain has been a leading European critic of Israel over its conduct in the ongoing Gaza war against Hamas.

“In my view we defeated Hamas,” said Yannay in remarks widely quoted by Hebrew media outlets. “They tried to break our spirit but did not succeed.”

“Tonight we made history,” he added.

With the tournament victory, Hapoel secured a spot in next year’s EuroLeague, where it will join fierce crosstown rival Maccabi Tel Aviv, marking the first time two Israeli teams have both been in the top-tier men’s European basketball league.