Despite entering Tuesday's second leg in a 22-point hole, Hapoel Jerusalem coach Guy Goodes believes his side can overturn its first leg defeat to Unics Kazan when it hosts the Russians at the Malha Arena in the second qualifying round of the Eurocup.
"We're optimistic. Every athlete should always be optimistic," Hapoel coach Guy Goodes said. "Kazan is a very balanced team. They have very physical players and we must be aggressive and pressure them. We need to try and dictate a quick pace to game."
Kazan led throughout last week's 88-66 victory in Russia and Jerusalem will have a tough time winning by even the smallest of margins on Tuesday, not to mention by 23 points, in order to qualify for the group stage.
Hapoel actually thrashed Kazan by 39 points in ULEB Cup action last season, but only three main players from last season's rosters remain in each of the teams, rendering the sides last meeting almost meaningless ahead of Tuesday's encounter.
"We need to play as if we have no advantage, because we all know what Hapoel did to us here last season," Kazan coach Aco Petrovic said. "Both teams' rosters may be completely different from last season, but I emphasized the psychological importance of that result to my players."
If Hapoel is to have any chance of overturning its first leg deficit and avoiding a drop to Europe's third tier event, the EuroChallenge, it will have to first and foremost stop Kazan's offense.
Jerusalem allowed Unics to score 52 percent of its field-goals last week, with the Russians making 11 three-pointers.
"Despite the advantage this isn't an easy game," said Terrell Lyday, who led Kazan with 17 points last week. "Jerusalem is a very good team, but we just played very well in the first leg."
To make matters even more difficult for Hapoel, Goodes also has an injury crisis to deal with ahead of Tuesday.
"Travis Watson fell awkwardly on his knee during training and Sharon Shasson has a problem with his Achilles tendon so we may have to manage with just six players," Goodes said
"Our first goal is to win the game by any margin," said Yuval Naimi, who was one of only three Hapoel players to score in double-figures last week. "We want Malha to be our fortress and for that to be case no team can beat us here."
