Hapoel Tel Aviv Shines in EuroCup Finals Opener with Statement Win Over Gran Canaria

Red-hot Tel Aviv side takes Game 1 by storm, puts one hand on Euroleague ticket

Hapoel Tel Aviv has one foot in the Euroleague after a clinical 74–65 win over Gran Canaria in Game 1 of the EuroCup Finals. Powered by a third-quarter explosion from Johnathan Motley, the Reds now head to Friday’s showdown with the chance to wrap up the series and make history.

With political instability pushing their home games to neutral territory in Bulgaria, the Tel Aviv squad showed no signs of distraction. In fact, they looked laser-focused. If anything, they’re playing with the urgency of a team that knows what’s at stake—and wants it bad.

Motley takes over when it matters most

There are nights when a player flips the switch—and Motley had one of those nights.

After a tightly contested first half that ended 39–36 in Hapoel’s favor, the former NBA big man simply erupted. In that third quarter, he didn’t just score—he dominated. Gran Canaria threw bodies at him, but nothing worked.

He bullied his way to buckets in the post. He ran the floor. He cleaned up misses. And every time the Spanish club looked like it might close the gap, Motley had an answer.

One sentence is enough: he was unstoppable.

And that third quarter blitz? It cracked the game wide open.

Support cast did their jobs—and then some

While Motley was the clear headliner, he wasn’t alone. Yam Madar brought the fire early, pushing the pace and carving up the defense. Antonio Blakeney added some slick scoring, giving Hapoel a spark when the offense stalled.

Marcus Foster came alive in the second half too, finding gaps and hitting key shots when Gran Canaria scrambled to stop Motley.

Here’s what made the difference beyond just points:

• Hapoel shared the ball better, finishing with more assists and fewer turnovers.

• They limited Gran Canaria’s second-chance opportunities, crashing the boards hard.

• They controlled the tempo, never letting the Spanish side dictate pace.

The little things, basically—the grit, the hustle, the energy that doesn’t always show up in box scores but wins playoff games.

Gran Canaria on the ropes, but not out

Gran Canaria showed flashes, especially in the first half. George Conditt was solid inside, fighting for positioning and making life tough for Hapoel’s bigs. Andrew Albicy tried to steady the ship with leadership and poise.

But they simply couldn’t match the physicality and intensity after halftime. There was a lack of rhythm. The defense sagged. Offensively, they rushed things. It felt frantic. And in a game that demanded poise, that was costly.

Now they face elimination in Game 2 on home soil. They’ve been here before, though. This is a seasoned squad with talent, and with the home crowd behind them, anything can happen.

But make no mistake—they’re hanging by a thread.

Samokov: Unlikely home, real support

Because of the war in Gaza and ongoing regional tension, Hapoel has been forced to relocate its EuroCup home fixtures to Samokov, Bulgaria. It’s not ideal. It’s not home. But it didn’t seem to faze them one bit.

There was energy in the stands. Red shirts were scattered throughout the arena, and the noise during big moments echoed like it was Tel Aviv.

Funny thing is, adversity sometimes sharpens teams.

You could feel it—Hapoel isn’t just playing to win a title. They’re playing for their fans who can’t be there. For their country, for their community. And that kind of purpose? That’s powerful.

What’s next: Friday could seal the deal

Game 2 is set for Friday night in the Canary Islands. Gran Canaria needs a win to keep their EuroCup dreams alive. Hapoel just needs one more victory to punch their ticket to the Euroleague.

Here’s what’s on the line:

Friday’s battle will be physical. Expect adjustments. Gran Canaria will throw the kitchen sink. Hapoel will have to stay composed, stay hungry.