Hapoel J’lem’s chances bleak after loss to Nymburk
11/15/2012 07:53
Hapoel gets its campaign off to the worse possible start, losing 85-72 at BC Prienai of Lithuania, second-best to Nymburk.
Sharon Drucker Photo: 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.”