Games to Watch: Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem

Something is brewing in the Israeli capital with the club’s return to the EuroCup

With new management and a star-studded roster, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem has lofty goals in its return to the BKT EuroCup after a six-season hiatus. As recently as 2017 Jerusalem reached the EuroCup semifinals and it won the crown in 2004. In fact, despite its years away, Jerusalem’s 90 EuroCup wins are the ninth-most in competition history.

Here’s a look at some of the most exciting games on Jerusalem’s calendar as it prepares for the 2024-25 EuroCup.

Round 2: EuroCup memories of Lietkabelis

Jerusalem lost its last four EuroCup games in the 2017-18 season. The last team it beat was 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys in November 2017. And Jerusalem will look to score another win over the Lithuanian side in Round 2.

This will be the clubs’ second-ever meeting in Panevezys, where Lietkabelis triumphed 86-72 in the season-opener of the aforementioned campaign. Of course, those games are just historical details since the vast majority of players from them are no longer active. Nevertheless, a strong showing in Jerusalem’s first road game of the season could be critical for Coach Jonathan Alon’s side.

Round 10: Harper’s homecoming

The Round 10 visit to Valencia Basket is meaningful for two reasons. One is the long-standing rivalry with the club and the second is the return to the city in the east of Spain of Jerusalem’s new playmaker Jared Harper. The diminutive guard played his only two European seasons with Valencia in the EuroLeague before joining Jerusalem this summer. Upon the team’s trip to Valencia, Harper will be reunited

Moreover, the game will mark the 11th EuroCup meeting ever between these clubs, which will tie for the most-played rivalry in the competition. The other matchups to have played as many times in the EuroCup will be Valencia vs. Khimki Moscow Region, and Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. Dreamland Gran Canaria, though the latter two will play for a 12thtime later in the regular season. Jerusalem and Valencia last played in the 2017 EuroCup Semifinals.

Round 17: A late-season visit to the runner-up

In the penultimate regular-season round, Jerusalem will test itself against last season's runner-up, Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse. If all goes right for both teams, this game could have a major impact on the playoff race.

Bourg boasts the experience – both on the roster and the bench – from last season's run to the finals. The team was 11-1 at home before the championship series. Jerusalem can look at Bourg’s feat with envy, but will have the chance on the court to do the same. Will this game in the end be one that sends Jerusalem closer on its quest for glory?