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abr 07 2026SOFIA — Hapoel Tel Aviv defeated Fenerbahce 95-80 in Round 36 of the EuroLeague, dominating a direct matchup in the upper standings. Elijah Bryant led the team coached by Dimitris Itoudis with a complete performance of 21 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists, as Hapoel Tel Aviv controlled the game from the start and handed Fenerbahce their fourth consecutive loss in the competition.
The EuroLeague matchup began with Hapoel Tel Aviv playing aggressively on both ends of the floor. The Israeli team set the pace from the opening minutes and put together a 16-4 run that forced Fenerbahce to play catch-up for virtually the entire game. Defensive energy and ball movement allowed Dimitris Itoudis' squad to control the scoreboard from the tip-off.
Elijah Bryant once again demonstrated why he is one of the most impactful players in the EuroLeague, leading Hapoel Tel Aviv with 21 points, nine rebounds and five assists for a PIR of 32. Alongside him, Dan Oturu contributed 23 points, while Vasilije Micic added 19 and Antonio Blakeney scored 17 in a well-balanced offensive attack that constantly punished the Turkish defense.
As the game progressed, Hapoel Tel Aviv's dominance continued to grow. The Israeli team reached their largest lead at a commanding 80-56 (+24), reflecting total control of the game against a Fenerbahce side unable to slow down their opponent's offensive pace.
The Turkish team attempted a comeback in the final stretch, but never seriously threatened the lead built by Hapoel Tel Aviv. Wade Baldwin was Fenerbahce's leading scorer with 22 points and six assists. Tarik Biberovic and Devon Hall also contributed 11 points each, while Talen Horton-Tucker added 10, though he shot just 4 of 16 from the field.
Hapoel Tel Aviv's EuroLeague victory has a direct impact on the standings. Fenerbahce arrived at this round tied for the lead, but this defeat—their fourth consecutive—complicates their position in the race for first place, especially pending the result of the Olympiacos vs. Real Madrid matchup. The Turkish team now stands at 23-13 and will face Real Madrid in their next game.
For their part, Hapoel Tel Aviv improves to 22-13 in the EuroLeague and also secures the head-to-head tiebreaker against Fenerbahce by winning by a larger margin than their loss in the first meeting between the two teams. In the next round, Dimitris Itoudis' team will host Olympiacos in another direct clash in the upper part of the standings.
