By Cesare Milanti/ info@eurohoops.net
Hapoel Jerusalem is doing a pretty good job in this year’s Basketball Champions League, as the Israeli black-and-red team is currently 2nd in Group I of the Round of 16 after beating the purple-and-yellow rivals of Hapoel Holon, in the very first BCL Israeli derby.
However, the junior team of Hapoel Jerusalem will have the opportunity to prove its potential in the near future. As announced in the middle of January, in fact, the team from Israel and nine other clubs will participate in the first-ever Youth BCL, which will take place in Bursa from April 11 to April 15.
The head coach of Hapoel Jerusalem’s youth team Daniel Shashar expressed his feelings and joy about the upcoming tournament. “It’s going to be a lifetime experience for both the players that will continue to play basketball and maybe have a professional career and for those who won’t. It’s something they will be able to tell their grandkids”, he said in an interview with Eurohoops.
The 17-year-old Israeli prospect Roe Avneri had also nothing but good words for the Youth BCL. “I’m super excited for the Youth BCL, it’s gonna be an incredible experience. We can’t wait for April, we all know it’s going to be an amazing opportunity no matter what happens”, he followed.
They will be joined by the junior team of Tofas Bursa, Bnei Ofek Dist Herzliya, ERA Nymburk, Filou Oostende, Igokea m:tel, Lenovo Tenerife, MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg, Rytas Vilnius, and UCAM Murcia, in two groups of five teams each. The draw will take place in February.
As the official announcement said, “After three days of group play action, the top two teams in each group will be paired in the Semi-Finals, while teams placed third and fourth in their respective groups will play in classification games for places 5 to 8 in the championship and the fifth-ranked teams in each group will face each other for the 9th spot. The first edition of the championship will come to a close on April 15 with the big Final and the concluding classification games”.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA Basketball