Israel to resume hosting EuroLeague games

Alsharq Tribune-M.Essam 

Israeli EuroLeague teams Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Tel Aviv received permission to return to staging basketball games in Israel after more than two years, according to a statement issued by both clubs on Thursday, citing the EuroLeague's decision.

The teams had been prohibited from hosting international games in Israel due to security reasons since the Israeli-Palestinian conflict erupted in October 2023.

According to the new decision, the EuroLeague is scheduled to return to Israel on December 11, with the game between Maccabi Tel Aviv and French side Lyon-Villeurbanne.

Meanwhile, Hapoel Tel Aviv will play at home on December 16 against Red Star Belgrade.

Hapoel currently leads the EuroLeague standings after Round 13 with a 9-4 win-loss record, while Maccabi sits 19th out of 20 teams with a 3-10 record. Hapoel has hosted its home games in Sofia, Bulgaria, while Maccabi hosted in Serbia's capital Belgrade.

The decision to resume games in Israel also applies to the EuroCup, the EuroLeague's second-tier competition.

Therefore, Hapoel Jerusalem, currently second in the 10-team Group A of the EuroCup, will return to host in Israel on December 9, against Bundesliga side Hamburg Towers in Round 10.