Shock, this is the only way to describe the feelings of Maccabi Tel Aviv and its fans after the loss in the semi-final of the State Cup to Hapoel Tel Aviv, the third consecutive loss to the Reds in less than two months, and the first loss to the city rival in knockout games after 23 consecutive games.
The team players remained buried in the locker room long after the loss, when a number of Maccabi fans tried to break into the locker room and cursed at them. The security guards who were at the scene stopped the same fans, but the players themselves were taken out of the hall from a side exit accompanied by security and not a 9th stand from which they usually leave.
“We had a blackout in the third quarter, and from there it was difficult to come back. We missed free throws, we were under pressure and could not execute,” he said. Yannis Sapropoulos At the end of the game. “When you lose 3 times to Hapoel Tel Aviv, it means something. We need to find a solution for how to play better than them.” Asked if this was his last game as the team coach, he responded: “You will have to ask the owner, not me.”