By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv faces a defining moment in their 2025-26 EuroLeague Regular Season as they arrive in Spain severely shorthanded for a pivotal double-week road trip. The roster crisis deepened this week with the news that veteran center Tai Odiase did not travel to Madrid, remaining sidelined after sustaining an injury during the recent victory over Paris. Besides his absence extending to a Round 33 meeting behind closed doors in Movistar Arena opposite Real Madrid on Tuesday, he will also sit out Round 34 against Kosner Baskonia in Fernando Buesa Arena on Friday.
Head coach Dimitris Itoudis is already navigating a depleted rotation. With Tomer Ginat recovering from knee surgery and playmaker Tyler Ennis out for the season, the roster depth is now teetering on the edge. Furthermore, the status of backup center Itay Segev remains uncertain due to a rib injury. Odiase has been a reliable force off the bench this season, providing a physical presence and contributing over ten points per game across 20 appearances.
Despite these personnel setbacks, Hapoel maintains a strong foothold in the standings with a 20-11 record. However, their third-place position is under immediate threat. Real Madrid sits just half a game behind, making the next encounter a direct battle for a top-four seed and the coveted home-court advantage in the Playoffs 2026 on the way to the 2026 EuroLeague Final Four Athens presented by Etihad.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos boast a fully healthy squad for head coach Sergio Scariolo.