Turk Telekom achieved a significant upset by eliminating Hapoel Jerusalem, a team widely recognized for possessing the highest budget in the competition. This victory secured Turk Telekom’s place in the Eurocup semi-finals, where they are set to face JL Bourg.
Despite this disappointing early exit from the Eurocup, Hapoel Jerusalem has not abandoned its overarching ambition to participate in the Euroleague next season. This steadfast commitment was confirmed by the club’s owner and president, Matan Adelson, in a recent interview with Sport 5.
“At the beginning of the season, our objective was crystal clear: to win the Eurocup. Honestly, I genuinely believed this team had the potential to be champions. Finishing first in our group during the regular season was not a fluke, but the result of hard work, unwavering dedication, and immense confidence. Therefore, accepting this quarter-final elimination is incredibly difficult. However, we are here to reach the highest possible level. Despite this season’s setback, we continue to work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure Hapoel Jerusalem’s presence in the Euroleague next season. Our ultimate goal is to participate in the Euroleague, and we will achieve it as soon as possible.”
The path to the Euroleague is further complicated by the fact that Israel already hosts two clubs in the competition, Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Hapoel Tel-Aviv. Additionally, due to the ongoing conflict, Israeli teams have been unable to host their opponents on home soil for several months, adding another layer of challenge to their aspirations.
