By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
The owner of Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv stood out for the wrong reasons from Saturday’s game against Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem in the Quarterfinals of Israel’s State Cup.
Falling, 93-83, in Menora Mivtachim Arena marked a third loss over the last four games across all competitions and elimination from the annual Cup.
With the team coached by Dimitris Itoudis struggling on the way to the bottom end of the 2025-26 schedule, the 50-year-old businessman was visibly frustrated.
Following the domestic affair, he opted to sit near the Hapoel Jerusalem bench and used his phone to film the coach of the opponents, Yonatan Alon, every time he stepped on the court. And then was eager to share the footage with the referees.
His actions led the referees to request his removal from his spot close to the opponents’ bench during the second quarter, but he refused. And the game was delayed for ten minutes until the situation was resolved. He eventually moved elsewhere to watch the rest of the losing effort of Hapoel Tel Aviv.
The three other deciders for a ticket to the Semifinals of the State Cup are set to take place on Sunday and Monday.
Israel State Cup 2026
Quarterfinals
1. Ironi Lati Kiryat Ata – Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv (1/2)
2. Hapoel Altshuler Shaham Beer Sheva-Dimona – Bnei Penlink Herzliya (2/2)
3. Hapoel Gilat Telecom Haemek – Hapoel Netanel Holon (1/2)
4. Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv – Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem 83-93
Semifinals
Winners 1-2
Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem – Winner 3
Final
Winners of Semifinals