ByOR SHKEDI

The Reds officially tipped off training camp on Saturday in Sofia, Bulgaria, without their Israeli international core - who are currently away on World Cup qualifying duty - and with several other key players scheduled to arrive in the coming days.

Although Hapoel initially announced a return to Israeli soil "due to the security situation," club officials ultimately opted to hold camp in the Bulgarian capital once again. Under current arrangements, Israeli teams will continue hosting and preparing for European competitions outside the country's borders.

A packed overseas schedule

Hapoel’s preseason slate features minimal time at home. The Reds open action this Saturday with a two-game exhibition series in Sofia against EuroCup side Balkan Botevgrad, followed by two tune-up games in Belgrade. Preparations will wrap up over Rosh Hashanah at a warm-up tournament in Cagliari, Italy.

Following the Italian tournament, the squad will fly to Israel for a high-stakes Super Cup clash against archrivals Maccabi Tel Aviv on September 17. The team will stay briefly for the Israeli Premier League Media Day before returning to Bulgaria for final preparations ahead of their EuroLeague opener against Bayern Munich on September 24.

Ginat is with Hapoel Tel Aviv in Bulgaria, but he will not be returning anytime soon.
Ginat is with Hapoel Tel Aviv in Bulgaria, but he will not be returning anytime soon. (credit: BERNEY ARDOV)

Roster updates: Ginat, Blatt, and Toppin

Hapoel is currently training without national team members Khadeen Carrington, Itay Segev, Guy Palatin, and Tamir Blatt.

  • Tamir Blatt: The point guard is not expected to join squad training even after the international window closes. Blatt and his representatives continue to actively seek a top-tier European club to take him on loan for the upcoming season.

  • Tomer Ginat: After being released from national team duty due to injury, Ginat is expected to return to Israel shortly to undergo rehabilitation. While ruled out for the Super Cup and the EuroLeague opener, Hapoel remains optimistic that the forward will be cleared in time for the Israeli Premier League tip-off.

  • Jacob Toppin: The forward has already integrated into team practices in Sofia and will travel to Israel with the squad in mid-September. Club executives are rushing to finalize his paperwork in hopes of securing Israeli citizenship in time for him to suit up in the Super Cup against Maccabi Tel Aviv.