With the game on Saturday being the 119th encounter between the two sides, it’s the perfect time to reminisce our five most memorable games against Hapoel Jerusalem
Just before we begin, here are some interesting numbers from our previous regular season encounters throughout the years:
Record between Maccabi-Hapoel Jerusalem: 95:23
For our first game we ask you to keep an open mind, after all our beloved game was played differently back in the day, instead of four 10 minute periods, there were two halves of 20 minutes, and before the 24 seconds shot clock there was a 30 seconds shot clock, interesting times.
1999, Israeli Cup Finals – Maccabi Tel Aviv Vs Hapoel Jerusalem
Like every game with a title being on the line, the yellow nation always comes ready for a fight, and a fight it was, Jerusalem managed to beat the buzzer at half time as they trailed 31:27. The visitors came to within a striking distance but with Oded Katash the now Jerusalem coach on the bench, Doron Shefer and Nadav Henefeld stepped up big keeping Jerusalem at bay (42:34).
Alexander and Hamilton traded blows time and again as Jerusalem were the ones to capitalize with Kenny Williams completing Jerusalem’s comeback who were now ahead 64:62 with just over a minute left, Oded Katash who was known to have ice in his veins tied the game from the free throw line (66:66). Radisav Corcic gave Jerusalem the 66:67 edge with 16.1 seconds remaining in the game, but Katash drew the foul and made both of his free throws to claim the 68:67 win.
2004, Israeli Cup finals- Maccabi Vs Hapoel Jerusalem
If the 30 seconds shot clock and two halves instead of four quarters kinda made you feel uncomfortable, then have no fear because the new era basketball is here and with it two teams that dominated Europe, Maccabi’s dynasty in the Top tier competition EuroLeague and Jerusalem in the 2nd tier competition – The EuroCup formerly known as the ULEB Cup.
Maccabi’s dynasty opened the game strong delivering a message- just like happened throughout the season this is our night, and indeed their night it was as the yellows made a 10:1 run in the last two minutes of the first quarter to take a double digit lead. Maccabi kept their safety distance in the second quarter and in the third quarter the squad in yellow and blue started to fire on all cylinders taking a 60:43 lead four minutes into the quarter. The fourth quarter was all about the ultimate experience with a great show time that went straight into the books of poetry in motion under the chapter 108:85 winning the cup in style.
2007, Israeli Championship game
After losing the Israeli Cup, teams got the idea that the Israeli perennial champs are vulnerable more than ever, but even if that was the case there is always that undeniable truth- we always fight until the end no matter what. The championship game started with Tapiro giving Jerusalem the early 5:12 lead but Nikola Vujcic and Will Bynum kept the yellows close to the visitors at the end of the first quarter (19:24). In the second quarter Maccabi tightened their defense as they came back to within a striking distance (25:27), but Bowers had the final say in the quarter keeping Jerusalem’s five point lead at halftime (36:41).
Jerusalem took the 38:51 lead in the third but Maccabi came up big trimming Jerusalem’s lead to 50:53. The visitors started the fourth with a 54:63 lead, but right at the beginning of Vujcic and Burstein kept Maccabi in the game (63:68). Jerusalem scored but with under a minute left in the game Maccabi tied the game (77:77). Austin gave Jerusalem a one point lead and Maccabi a chance to win the game having the last possession, Sasson missed but Jeremy Arnold took the offensive rebound and completed the three point play giving Maccabi its first lead of the night and the 47th overall championship!!!
2008, WE have OT Maccabi Vs Hapoel Jerusalem 113:111
An offensive oriented game in the 21st round of the Israeli domestic league does not even start to describe what happened in that glorious night of basketball, Jerusalem had the edge and as the game progressed their lead kept growing getting to 55:74, but out of the blue when the game looked very much one sided Maccabi drew blood ending the third quarter with a 10-3 run (65:77).
Both teams traded blows at the beginning of the fourth, and then an open look for Blu was sufficient to start the yellow and blue comeback that was achieved as Maccabi tied with Blu scoring a three pointer to make it 96:96. Jerusalem reacted immediately but Bynum send the game to overtime. In over time Will put Maccabi ahead 111:106 but Pnini tied the game. With 11.7 seconds remaining in the game Halperin drew the foul and made both of his free throws to claim the 113:111 home win.
2011 Demolition Crew, 107:66 home win
During this season, Maccabi made a name for itself for killing games early, this specific game Jerusalem were very close to Maccabi in the first and halfway through the second quarter but the hosts managed to take the 50:34 lead at halftime. Maccabi kept their lead in the third and exploded in the fourth quarter with Derrick Sharp scoring a three pointer to set the monstrous 107:66 home win.
