In addition to the exciting and intriguing basketball game, an exciting basketball celebration was held on Wednesday, 11/6/2025, at the "Romama" Sports Hall in Haifa, the first and intriguing game of the best-of-3 series, as part of the playoff finals of the National Basketball League, in which the Greens, the Maccabi Haifa team that finished at the top of the table in first place, hosted in their home stadium the strong Maccabi Elitzur Petah Tikva team that finished behind them in the league table in second place. That's it, money time has arrived! The 2 teams presented excellent, high-quality basketball that does not embarrass any team from the Israeli Premier League.
The game rose to a high level and the electrifying atmosphere in the sports hall in "Romma" was electrifying. The players' display on the court, in front of about 3,400 enthusiastic spectators, most of whom were also green, was amazing with strong and loud encouragement accompanied by drums in the stands from the beginning of the game until its end. Among these, it should be noted the large presence of the "Green Monkeys" organization in the stands of the hall.
Even before the teams took the field, a moving and special event was held under the direction of the Director of the Headquarters for the Abducted and Missing in Haifa, Dr. Daniela Mazor, which hosted Hagai Engerst, the father of the soldier from the 7th Brigade of the Armored Corps, the tanker, Matan Engerst, who has been held captive by the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza since the beginning of the "Iron Swords" war on Black Saturday, October 7.10.2023, XNUMX. Hagai, Matan's father, threw out the opening ball as a symbol of hope, unity and strength, as the audience present in the hall embraced the Engerst family and all the families of the abductees.
In most stages of the game, Haifa dominated, but only for short periods, while Maccabi Petah Tikva, on the other hand, did not give up and always narrowed the score and sometimes even took a slight lead. At the end of the fourth quarter, which was mostly close, the game ended in a 58:58 tie, and the teams went into 5 minutes of overtime, during which Haifa took the lead in the game. At the end of the tense game, Haifa came down and recorded a 64:69 victory for Haifa and the first home victory in the final series. The decision goes to Sunday in Petah Tikva. Another victory for Haifa and it advances to the national league. A loss in the next away game will result in another third game in Rome in Haifa.
The second game in the basketball final series will take place next week, on Sunday, June 15, 6, and will begin at 2025:19 PM at the basketball court in Petah Tikva. If necessary, if there is a third game, and Haifa of course hopes that there will be no such game at all, it will be held on Wednesday, June 00, 18, and will begin at 6:2025 PM, and again at the Romema Sports Hall in Haifa.
Before the start of the game, another tribute ceremony was held on the court in the arena. It was an emotional farewell ceremony for Maccabi Haifa and Israeli national team football player Lior Refaelov, who was the beloved green symbol of Maccabi Haifa who recently completed a glorious chapter of work, heart, and soul in the green uniform. The shield of appreciation to Refaelov for his many years of contribution to sports in Israel and Haifa sports in particular was presented to him by Maccabi Haifa Chairman Nir Anabi and Green Club CEO Roi Schwatz.
Meanwhile, it should be noted that Maccabi Haifa is coached by Benny Katz, who previously coached the Maccabi Haifa youth team for about 10 years and was later appointed head coach of the senior team only about a year ago. He relegated the team to the national league and now wants to win the series and move up to the national league. Furthermore, the Green Team team includes the professional manager Ido Kozikro, Lior Barnea, an assistant coach, who are also an impressive and respected coaching team.
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