This year, AEK’s European “journey” in the Basketball Champions League ended in Jerusalem. Union were defeated 91–51 by Hapoel in the third game of the competition’s quarter-final stage, with the Israelis writing 2–1 in the series and ceremonially qualifying for the final four.

The military atmosphere created by the Hapoel fans in the crowded Pais Arena, culminating in insults, gestures and throwing objects at the AEK bench throughout the match, as well as the absence of a defender behind the “yellow-black” seats, took its toll on the Union’s competitive face. KAE even reported that the team’s grandmaster Giorgos Khina was attacked for no reason or reason by people from Hapoel after the match.

In the purely competitive part, AEK paid the price for its failure (14/50 shots from the field, 18/25 shots), non-creation (only 9 assists) and lack of concentration, at the moment when Brindon Lemar imagined with 21 points. .. an oasis of preparedness in front of teammates.

Hapoel came out with… a recipe for playing 1 on the floor, surprised AEK, and in the 10th minute the lightboard wrote in their favor 18-7. Without losing focus on defense and attack, the Israelis increased the difference to +19 by 15′ (33-14), while AEK tried in vain to find a long-range strike, and the hosts even ended up at +24 (40-16). at 17′) before entering the dressing room at a safe distance (43-22).

The effective defense of the Israelis continued to worry the Yellow-Blacks in the replay: Hapoel closed the third period at +23 (59-36), without looking back and forcing AEK to suffer one of the heaviest defeats in its history.

REFEREES: Conte, Listska, Kozlovskis

Compositions:

HAPOEL (Zikich): Carrington, 15 (2), Cornelius, 3 (1), Levy, Vene, 15 (3), Yaakov, 2, Brown, 5 (1), Hankins, 8, Megeris, 8 (2 ), Randolph, 25(1), Szegef 3, Smith 7(1).

AEK (Kantsouris): Flionis 4 (1), Madsen, Oriola 2, Papadakis, Williams 6, Jankovic 11 (1), Koniaris, Lemar 21 (3), Miles, Mitchell 7, Petropoulos, Xanthopoulos.