Hapoel J’lem’s chances bleak after loss to Nymburk
Hapoel gets its campaign off to the worse possible start, losing 85-72 at BC Prienai of Lithuania, second-best to Nymburk.
By ALLON SINAISharon Drucker 311(photo credit: Adi Avishai)
Hapoel Jerusalem’s hopes of advancing to the Eurocup Last 16 suffered a shattering blow at Malha Arena on Wednesday night with a humbling 86-69 defeat to CEZ Nymburk of the Czech Republic.Hapoel got its campaign off to the worse possible start last week, losing 85-72 at BC Prienai of Lithuania and was second best throughout Wednesday’s game against Nymburk.The hosts got off to an ideal start, with a Raviv Limonad basket opening a 9-2 lead. However, Nymburk, coached by Israeli Neno Ginzburg, replied with an 11-0 run and remained in the lead until the final buzzer.Jerusalem trailed by just two points (37-35) at the half, but the Czechs began the third quarter with a 7-0 run and the Reds required a three-point play by Craig Smith to remain within striking distance (62-55) with 10 minutes remaining.However, Nymburk would put the game to bed by outscoring Jerusalem 24-14 in the final frame and improved to 2-0 in Group A.Smith had 23 points and eight rebounds for Hapoel, with Jacob Pullen adding 14 points for Sharon Drucker’s men, which committed 19 turnovers.“Clearly, we now find ourselves in a far from ideal situation, but it isn’t over yet,” said forward Uri Kukia.“We will have to win in places we didn’t expect to win at.“Nymburk is a very good team and they proved it tonight.”Vojtech Hruban led five Nymburk players in double- figures with 19 points.
“We made the right defensive adjustments in the second half and slowed down Smith,” Ginzburg said.“We have a new team so it is tough to tell at the moment how far we can go.”
