After Thursday’s home victory over Jerusalem, the Yellow & Blue’s next challenge is against the city rival in the State Cup Quarterfinal. DiBartolomeo: “One of the most important games this season”
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv will host Hapoel Tel Aviv (Sunday, 21:00, Live on Sport5 – Channel 55) in Menora Mivtachim Arena for the first derby this season. The matchup receives another level of importance since the teams will matchup in the State Cup Quarterfinal as Giannis Sfairopoulos’s squad will look to open 2021 on a strong note.
The Israeli champions will be without Othello Hunter (cut underneath his eye), Sandy Cohen (was excused for the holiday), Tyler Dorsey, and Chris Jones, who weren’t listed for the contest. Maccabi’s journey in the cup started with a 75:69 win over Ashdod in the First Round, followed by a 98:73 triumph over Hapoel Haifa in the Round Of 16.
Traveling back in the history books, the Yellow & Blue holds an eight-game winning streak against the Reds in the State Cup. The most memorable game between the sides was in the 1994 Cup Final, as Moti Daniel (16 points) led the club past the rivals, 64:53. The latest contest in the domestic cup was in December of 2017, as Maccabi beat Hapoel on the road 96:85 (Alex Tyus 20 points, Michael Roll 19).
“Two reasons make this contest important”, Explained Maccabi’s head coach Giannis Sfairopoulos about Sunday’s matchup. “First of all, it’s a derby, and these games are significant for our club. Secondly, it’s a knockout game in the cup, so for these reasons, we need to be ready, concentrated, and follow the gameplan we’ve been implementing in the latest practices”.
“Tomorrow is obviously a very important game for us”, Said the Yellow & Blue captain John DiBartolomeo before the matchup against Hapoel. “We want to win every game, but cup games take on another level of importance because it’s a knockout situation. Combine that with a derby match up, and it becomes one of our most important games this season for the players, fans, and club”.
